Female candidates from all Member States are particularly encouraged to apply.

VACANCY  ANNOUNCEMENT TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL

Organizational Context

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of ISID, however, applies in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions. Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Departments/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

The Directorate of Digitalization, Technology and Agri-Business (DTA), headed by a Managing Director, coordinates and mainstreams the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in its technical cooperation, strategic, normative activities aiming at fostering the inclusive and sustainable development in the era of 4IR. The Directorate creates new and innovative technical cooperation deliverables in the areas of trade, investment, technology innovation and agro-industry and agri-business. The Directorate comprises the Department of Digitalization, Technology and Innovation (DTI) and the Department of Agri-Business (AGR). Responding to the growing demand for supporting inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in the era of the new industrial revolution, the Department of Digitalization, Technology and Innovation (DTA/DTI) leads the way in addressing opportunities, challenges and risks stemming from the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and its contribution to sustainable socio-economic progress. The Department is responsible for the strategic coordination of 4IR-related matters with designated focal points in other technical Departments and organizational entities of UNIDO, as appropriate. In consultation with public and private partners, DTI designs and implements holistic interventions that are tailored to specific country needs. The Department’s interventions actively identify and combine complementary services from across three Divisions, namely: - Innovation and Digitalization Division (DTA/DTI/IDD) - Investment and Technology Promotion Division (DTA/DTI/ITP) - Quality Infrastructure and Smart Production Division (DTA/DTI/QIS) This position is located under the Quality Infrastructure and Smart Production Division (DTA/DTI/QIS). This Division seeks to build national and regional quality infrastructure systems needed to provide internationally recognized services, including strengthening institutional capacities (i.e. metrology, standardization and accreditation); building conformity assessment capacities (testing, inspection, certification, calibration, etc.); supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to take advantage of new technologies and standards for smart production and thus participate in global value chains; trade facilitation and promoting quality awareness with the public sector, economic operators and consumers.

PROJECT CONTEXT The project "Support to the Improvement of MSME Competitiveness and Business Environment in Paraguay”, is an initiative financed by the European Union (EU). It aims to contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic growth and job creation, through the improvement of micro, small and medium enterprises’ (MSMEs) competitiveness and the business environment in Paraguay. UNIDO role aims at strengthening the institutional capacity of the two Business Intermediary Organizations (BIOs), the Paraguayan Industrial Union (UIP – Unión Industrial Paraguaya) and the Federation of Production Cooperatives (FECOPROD – Federación de Cooperativas de Producción), to deliver high quality business development services to improve MSMEs’ competitiveness. A specific emphasis is given on technology and innovation services/ mechanisms, as well as on promoting integration of MSMEs into larger value chains (VC). The overall objective is the institutional strengthening of UIP and FECOPROD; and associated entities to improve and develop specialized business development services, promote technological development and innovation, and support a better articulation of MSMEs in global value chains. The project has the following outputs: - Output 1. Strengthening the institutional capacity of UIP and FECOPROD for the development of specialized business services; - Output 2. Improving MSMEs' access to technologies and promoting innovation processes; - Output 3. Strengthen the capacity of institutions that provide services to MSMEs so that they can meet market requirements and better integrate into value chains. Duty Station: Asuncion / Paraguay Approximate duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Main Functions

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager at Headquarters, and working in close cooperation with the project team in both the field and the HQ, the International Project Coordinator shall fulfill the following tasks: PROJECT COORDINATION - Advise Project Manager(s) (PM), the donor and counterparts on policy, development strategy and technical matters. - Ensure consistency within the UNIDO project components/outputs and activities. - Establish and maintain relations and exchange of information with the local authorities, private sector institutions, enterprises, support institutions and other development partners. - Prepare and monitor detailed work plans and budgets of the different interventions including a time plan for fielding experts, training, fellowships, sub‐contracts, equipment purchases etc. - Define institutional development objectives, work targets that can be reasonably achieved within the project funding and time frame. Identify any pre‐conditions that need to be fulfilled by the Government to achieve these objectives. - Be responsible for the day‐to‐day operations of the Project Management Unit (PMU) and the disbursement of local expenditures based on standard UNIDO field disbursement procedures. - Participate in the technical committee which UNIDO will be part of together with the World Bank, the EU and national counterparts. PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION - Establish and maintain relations and exchange of information with local authorities, private sector institutions, enterprises, support institutions and other key partners. - Prepare in coordination with the PMs and relevant sector‐specific stakeholders, detailed work plans. - Define, in coordination with the PMs, institutional development objectives. Identify any pre‐conditions that need to be fulfilled by the Government to achieve these objectives. - In consultation with the UNIDO PMs identify in detail the nature of international and national expertise required; in consultation with relevant national counterparts prepare draft job descriptions. - Coordinate the local work of short‐term sector‐specific national and international consultants and sub‐contractors, to ensure smooth project delivery. - Coordinate the administrative organization of study tours and other training programmes including selection of participants. - Support the preparation of technical specifications for the purchasing of equipment, if deem necessary. PROGRAMME MONITORING AND REPORTING - Prepare monthly activity reports, and provide inputs for the preparation of the biannual results‐based reporting for the project according to donor specifications and UNIDO requirements. - Support the preparation of a mid‐term and final report comprising all relevant information compiled from the interim reports, conclusions and recommendations. - In coordination with the PMs, brief key sector‐specific counterparts regularly on implementation progress. - Provide inputs and support the preparation of the documentation for the Project Steering Committee meetings. PROMOTION AND TRAINING - Support the preparation of promotional material on the project in consultation with PMs and key stakeholders and ensure that sufficient exposure is made about the project in the media. - Support and provide substantive inputs to the organization of trainings, seminars and workshops to create awareness and publicize programme results, and ensuring sustainability. Report on participants’ evaluation of training activities. - Develop a rapport with the donor community to publicize the project results and seek cooperation and funding for additional areas. - Ad‐hoc requests: Any other assignments related to a timely and effective implementation of the project as requested by the PMs.

Core Competencies

Core Values WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially. WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner. WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective. Key Competencies WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity. WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world. WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work. WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another.

Minimum Requirements

Education

Advanced university degree in Business, Economics, and Engineering or related field, is required. A specialization, preferably advanced university degree in business development or innovation/technology related areas is desirable

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish is required.

Computer Skills

Field of Expertise

A minimum of 5 years practical experience in the field of management of technology development and deployment and/or technology transfer; experience in business model upgrading of SMEs, including experience at the international level involving technical cooperation in developing countries, is required. Good understanding and knowledge of innovations policies as well as agro and industry supply chains and practices in Paraguay is desirable. Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries is required. Experience in working with the government, donors, private sector and civil society, international organizations is desirable. Knowledge of UN organization project/programme management processes and procedures is desirable. The experience in project management is desirable

<strong>This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal. </strong>