Only nationals and/or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are eligible to apply. Female candidates 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 Innovation and Digitalization Division (DTA/DTI/IDD), which 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.

Project context: Silk processing industry upgrading in Uzbekistan (project 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. Duty station: Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Duration (tentative): June - September 2022.

Main Functions

The National Project Coordinator will work under direct supervision of the UNIDO Project Manager at UNIDO Headquarters (HQ), Vienna, Austria. The National Project Coordinator will work in liaison with international experts on industrial modernization and as well as the national counterparts for the selected industry. His/her duties shall be performed in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of UNIDO and this job description. The main duties are: I. INCEPTION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PHASE 1. Examine the preliminary Project Document and analyze other ongoing or recent initiatives and studies related to trade and industrial development specifically in the textile/silk industry. 2. In a team work with the National Expert(s), con-duct quick assessment of the strategic positioning of the two mentioned areas in national, regional and international markets to be supplemented with SWOT analysis taking into account the related studies by other Development Partners nationally and regionally. 3. Prepare a baseline analysis and make recommendations on the set of measurable impact indicators, including gender-disaggregated indicators. 4. Submit the results of the above points 1,2,3, to the Project Manager and International Experts for discussion and joint agreement. 5. During the inception technical assistance mission: - participate in the preparation of a detailed project work plan; - assist the Project Manager and the International Expert(s) in defining required national expertise, responsibilities, milestones and time schedule for the project implementation; - contribute to discussions with the national counterparts; - take note of the priorities expressed by the institutions as part of project activities; - guide the preparation of records. 6. In a team with the Project Manager and the International Expert(s), complete the initial assessment of the enterprises visited and the capacities of existing industry support institutions and research centres and/or vocational training centres as a potential national reference centre for technical support to beneficiary companies. 7. In coordination with the International Experts and based on the assessment conducted by the National Expert(s): - identify other agencies/programs that can con-tribute to the implementation of the project; - discuss and map capacities of existing industry support institutions and research centres and/or vocational training centres as a potential national reference centre for technical support; - identify the future Members of the Project Advisory Board. 8. Participate actively, as a group with the national team, to the initial assessment (diagnostic study) of each of the selected, potential beneficiary companies. 9. Based on the analysis of the detailed diagnostic studies of each enterprise (in coordination with national and international experts), prepare an upgrading plan to be submitted and accepted by the project beneficiaries. II. PROJECT MANAGEMENT: 10. Coordinate the implementation of the project in the field and with UNIDO HQ under the guidance of the Project Manager and the Team Leader. 11. Participate in the preparation of a detailed project work plan and assist the Project Manager and the Team Leader in defining responsibilities, milestones and time schedule with the support of the National Expert(s). 12. Ensure efficient interaction among key stakeholders of the project in the field to streamline the implementation of the project. 13. Assist the Project Manager in selecting local technical experts on a competitive basis. 14. Under the guidance of the Project Manager and the Team Leader, ensure secretariat of the National Advisory Board with participation of key national stakeholders, take responsibility for the preparation of proceedings and recommendations and organize Board’s meetings on a regular basis. III. ADVISORY SERVICES: 15. Participate in the selection of enterprises for analysis and subsequent implementation of pilot modernization programmes. 16. Develop and implement marketing activities and coach beneficiary companies on marketing production to the local, regional and international export markets including the conduct of related activities. 17. Identify best practises process in marketing, such as target markets. Develop and implement marketing strategy and activities to be undertaken and coach beneficiary companies on marketing production to the local, regional and international export markets including the conduct of related activities (workshops, participation to exhibitions, reports etc.). 18. Assess potential to establish direct export to local, tourism, regional and international markets and make the assessment of the achieved results and recommend follow-up actions. 19. Provide recommendations for a marketing strategy to each enterprise and make detailed marketing plan. IV. REPORTING 20. Prepare reports after each field mission and quarterly progress reports including the activities carried out, the achievements, analysis of lessons learned and recommendations. The reports should be prepared in accordance with the reporting system established by UNIDO and submitted directly to the UNIDO Project Manager.

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. 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. Core Competencies: 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 management, international development, economics or other relevant discipline is required.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English and Uzbek are required.

Computer Skills

Field of Expertise

• Minimum 5 (five) years of experience in management and coordination of development projects in Uzbekistan is required; • Familiarity with the textile and/or silk industry of Uzbekistan is required; • Good understanding and knowledge of the national development policies and processes with relevant experience in Uzbekistan is required; • Knowledge and experience of project/programme management is required; • Experience working with Government and/or donors and/or civil society and/or international organization is required; • Excellent writing and editing skills and ability to draft, edit, and produce written proposals, and result focused reports; • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

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