Project Specialist-Value Chain

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

On 26 November 2019 a 6.4 magnitude quake struck just before 4 a.m., 34 km northwest of Tirana, Albania’s capital. Consequently, 51 people were killed, and government sources indicate about 2,000 injured. There are reports of severe damage to social infrastructure, and several buildings have collapsed in Thumane and Durres, the two towns highly affected by the earthquake and the numerous daily aftershocks since then, with several people trapped inside in the immediate aftermath. The affected areas concern mainly Durrës Prefecture and part of Lezha and Tirana prefectures. The ten municipalities affected include Durres, Vore, Shijak, Kruje, Lezha, Mirdite, Kurbin, Kavaja, Kamza, and Tirana. According to government sources, about 13,000 inhabitants have been displaced, of which about 60% are accommodated in tents and 30% in hotels. Hundreds of commercial and non-commercial buildings have experienced serious damage and much more suffered damage.

On 6th December, the Government of Albania requested support from the European Union, the United Nations, and the World Bank to undertake a full and comprehensive Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) to identify the damage, losses, and recovery needs arising from the earthquake. The tripartite partners provided financial and technical support to conduct the assessment in addition to the resources the government made available. The PDNA undertaken by the European Union, the United Nations, the World Bank and the Government of Albania appealed for € 1.08 billion from the international community, at a donor’s conference, organized on the 17^th of February 2020, in Brussels, to rebuild houses, schools, businesses and other vital infrastructure. That amount will also fund an upgrade in the country’s disaster preparedness.

A virtual Joint Executive Committee (JEC) meeting was held on 16 July 2020 to confirm that allocation of funds to UN agencies and the UN resident Coordinator Office (UN RCO) from the contributions of the Government of Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and United Kingdom to the Albania SDG Acceleration Fund in support of the Government of Albania post-earthquake recovery efforts. The contribution will be used to implement initiative in accordance with areas identified in the PDNA, discussions with the pledging Member States and the UN Earthquake Recovery indicative support programmes prepared in February 2020.

As part of the recovery process, UNDP has proposed to support the Government of Albania through the Economic Recovery and Resilience Programme, which will focus on four main components:

1. Enhanced recovery process and performance of the micro and small enterprises through the UNDP’s “In Motion Programme”.
2. Strengthened value chains in selected economic sector of the Albanian economy, to mitigate the interruptions caused by the earthquake.
3. Evidence-based technical support provided to the relevant institutions, by utilizing innovative tools for producing various economic analysis.
4. Reskilling and upskilling programmes offered to jobseekers and recently laid-off workforce to respond to the needs of the affected private sector companies.

The Project Specialist - Value Chain will be responsible for the coordination, management, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Value Chain component of the Economic Recovery and Resilience Programme. He/ She will also coordinate, manage, and support in leading a team of experts and private sector development consultants involved in the implementation of UNDP share of activities. The Project Specialist - Value Chain will work under the supervision of the Programme Coordinator. The main duties and responsibilities of the Coordinator include the following:

• Manage the tools of the Value Chain methodology proficiently, according to the directives and means made available.
• Manage the necessary actions to adjust and adopt the methodology and the tools developed in other countries, according to the particularities of Albania.
• Inform regularly and obtain the approval of the Programme Coordinator, to whom he/she will report directly.
• Coordinate the participation of the institutions involved in the Value Chain programme.
• Coordinate, organize and implement the training courses within the Value Chain component and assign each consultant to the relevant company for consulting and following up.
• Assign to consultants their specific relevant projects for advising and tracing.
• Coordinate the necessary activities for the utilization of available resources in the country and contribute to strengthening of the program.
• Coordinate the necessary activities to generate knowledge about value chain.
• Carry out activities to promote the participation of companies, organizations, and state institutions in the Value Chain programme.
• Ensure the proper use of the administration system that allows to manage the information on time and the forms of the contributors to the programme.
• Collaborate in the development and application of a constant methodology for impact evaluation of the programme.
• Prepare progress and ad-hoc reports as and when required.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to generate contact networks in the Albanian private sector.
• Understanding of the national regulations related to quality processes.
• Ability to conduct planning, results-based management and reporting.
• Strong communication skills (written, spoken, composing, presentation).
• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding the position.
• Knowledge of the work of public institutions and cooperation with international organizations.
• Performance and results oriented towards the client, change, leadership, organizational effectiveness and strategic ability.
• Knowledge of technical project preparation and financial management.

Academic Qualifications

• Master degree in economic sciences, social sciences, marketing, business management, or any other related field.  

Work Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience working with the private sector and support to business development
• Previous experience in advising and training in clusters, associations, vertical and related linkages, business plans, innovation and entrepreneurship, quality management processes, industrial processes is an advantage
• Previous experience as coordinator or sub-coordinator of programme development.
• Previous experience with international organisations and multi-partner coordination,
• Experience in working with adaptation of international business methodologies is desirable.
• Excellent communication, planning and strategic programming skills.
• Database management knowledge.
• Management of Microsoft Office software.
• Ability to work in difficult conditions and under stress.
• Availability to travel to other locations outside of Tirana.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information in a professional manner.

Language

• Full working knowledge of English and Albanian is essential.