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 Innovation and Digitalization Division (DTA/DTI/IDD) promotes digital transformation and innovation ecosystems building, to advance the economic competitiveness of developing countries by helping them to benefit from the rapid progress of digital and convergent technologies associated to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and ensuring a smooth transition towards cyber-physical industrial systems and a smart society. The Associate Expert (L2) is expected to deliver: (a) work that contains in-depth analyses contributing to results achieved by the Department; (b) in creating an enabling environment for team work which is catalytic to achieving results; (c) in building relationships which contributes to partnerships resulting in strategic collaborations and (d) in achieving results within a professional team.
Project/Programme Context Silk processing industry upgrading in Uzbekistan (SAP ID 180041) Recognizing the strong potential for higher value addition of quality silk products with increased international competitiveness and better external market performance, the Government of Uzbekistan aims to improve the efficiency of silk value chain and its operators at 7 stages (raw silk, silk wool, silk yarn, sewing, dyeing, weaving, finished products, silk carpets), inter alia, through the attraction of private investment and international expertise to introduce innovation, improve production processes and spur employment generation. There is also a pronounced potential for reduced production costs and accelerated growth through the value chain upgrading encompassing all stages from the supply of raw products to higher value-added activities that involve more skilled and technology-intensive production. UNIDO developed a technical cooperation project aimed at modernization and competitiveness improvement of the silk industry in Uzbekistan’s target regions of sericulture development. As a result, a series of working-level consultations, as well as the UNIDO Preparatory Assistance Mission took place in 2019-2020 with involvement of national stakeholders, including the main national counterpart, the Association of Uzbek Silk Industry “O’zbekipaksanoat”, international expertise and the Donor country representatives in the field. The global objective of the proposed intervention is to contribute to the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan towards accelerated socio-economic development and improved competitiveness of high-end value-added goods through sustainable industrial modernization, innovative upgrading and improved post-crisis resilience of the silk industry. This project would therefore allow fostering sustainable development of local communities through poverty reduction, employment generation and economic diversification while also strengthening grouped beneficiary SMEs in the context of the COVID-19 post-crisis recovery. The project foresees the following outputs: Output 1: Market intelligence for identification of development gaps and opportunities and analysis of products sectors using value and supply chain approach conducted for enhanced competitiveness of products at the local, regional and international markets. Output 2: Industrial upgrading of existing technical and human capacities of the pilot beneficiary enterprises operating in silk processing industry for improved productivity and upgraded product quality underpinning higher competitiveness, accelerated economic recovery and reinforced business resilience. Output 3: Strengthen human and technical capacities of the technical support institutions providing specific assistance to the upgrading of silk processing industry (experts, trainers, engineers and technicians) strengthened in providing enterprise diagnosis and upgrading, competitiveness building and marketing, product design and branding, inter-institutional networking and business partnerships and other related services to the national silk industry. The UNIDO Performance Management System reinforces collaboration within one’s team as well as among cross-functional teams. The incumbent will collaborate with colleagues within as well as outside the Department and as applicable with UNIDO colleagues worldwide, and backup team members as needed. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Director General and in this context all staff are expected to serve in any assignment and duty station as determined by the needs of the Organization.
Main Functions
The Associate Expert works under the overall guidance of the Director, Department of Digitalization, Technology and Innovation; the direct supervision of the Chief, Innovation and Digitalization Division and in close collaboration with the colleagues to support the mandate of the Division. She/he will be responsible for providing technical support to the smooth and timely execution of projects and be accountable for the achievement of project results as/if assigned. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to: - In line with the guidelines and procedures governing the technical cooperation activities of UNIDO, formulate and execute technical cooperation projects/programme related to the interest of the potential donors and within the mandate of the Division/Department. - Execute and monitor projects/programme implementation activities and services, ensuring that assigned inputs are delivered on time at the right level of quality and within the allocated budget. - Prepare necessary inputs (consultant job descriptions, terms of reference, training arrangements, equipment specifications, etc.), monitoring progress in implementation, including if required missions to project site(s), as well as take part in oversight meetings in the field and at headquarters, and assist the Evaluation Group in its evaluations of projects/ programmes. - Support advocacy, communication and global forum activities related to the progamme/project and aimed at strengthening public relations, including the preparation of promotional materials, organization of media events, dissemination of information on the project activities through UNIDO/project website and network of UNIDO offices. - Support progamme/project specific fund mobilization activities. - Perform other related duties and assignments as required.
Core Competencies
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. 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 international relations, economics, engineering or related field with specialization in international development and/or international communications is required.
Languages
Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language, particularly Russian, is desirable.
Computer Skills
Field of Expertise
A minimum of three (3) years of experience, including some at the international level, in project coordination, particularly in the areas of international development and/or international communications is required. Experience evaluating needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, and in technical cooperation projects in Europe and Central Asia is desirable. UNIDO professional level applicants are required to have served at least one year in their current position, if applying for a higher-level position. UNIDO General Service applicants are required to be at least at the GS-5 level; to have served in their current position for at least two years; and to have served in UNIDO for at least five years.
<strong>This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal. </strong>