Chief Technical Advisor

​​Requisition ID: 1496 
Grade: ISA-Senior Specialist 
Country: Liberia 
Duty Station: Monrovia 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Application Deadline: 8-Dec-2022  

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

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 Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, oversees the Organization's development of capacities for industrial development as well as industrial policy advice, statistics and research activities and the Organization's normative contribution to Member States and global development community in achieving the SDGs. The Directorate also ensures the application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to Environment, Energy, SMEs, Competitiveness and Job creation, as well as Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute toward effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results and on realizing any potential for scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.

The Directorate houses the technical Divisions of Capacity Development and Industrial Policy Advice (TCS/CAP); Circular Economy and Environmental Protection (TCS/CEP); Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy (TCS/DSE); SMEs, Competitiveness and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and AI Strategies (TCS/DAS). The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO) and the Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET).

The Division of SME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME) works towards increasing the competitiveness of industries in developing countries and countries in transition, especially emphasizing business development of SMEs engaged in manufacturing and creating jobs therein. It aims at increasing competitiveness among SMEs in two interconnected ways: first, by modernizing businesses through the transfer of advanced technologies adapted to local conditions, product innovation, productivity improvement and upgrading, developing market and value chain readiness as well as improved access to finance; and second, by improving the quality of SME manufactured products and their compliance with market requirements through capacity building for the development of industrial production and trade-related quality infrastructure including for standardization, metrology, accreditation and of conformity assessment service institutions (testing, certification, inspection and calibration) and the strengthening of their capacities.

The position is located in SME Development and Job Creation Unit (TCS/SME/SDJ). The SME Development and Job Creation Unit (TCS/SME/SDJ) supports small and medium manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) in Member States to take advantage of new technologies, business and organizational support, investment promotion, cluster development and partnerships to improve their businesses and improve their competitiveness.

PROJECT CONTEXT Summary/Pro

ject Purpose>

This programme constitutes the successor phase of the Sida-funded “Markets and value chains in agriculture” (GROW Liberia, 2013-2022 – hereafter called GROW-1) and is named GROW-2. It aims at contributing to the increase in income and employment opportunities through MSME development in priority agro-based value chains in Liberia. More precisely, capitalizing on the results and lessons of GROW-1, the programme will focus on upscaling prior efforts and expanding sectoral and thematic outreach. The programme is aligned to Liberia’s strategic development priorities as well as to Sweden’s cooperation strategy with Liberia.

The programme focuses on three value chains and while support to addressing opportunities and challenges to seize international market opportunities concerns the cocoa value chain, support to enhancing the cassava and horticulture value chains aims at enhancing food security and increasing income of, in particular, rural farmers (men, women and youth).

Core principles include the search for country ownership, effective synergies with related programmes, projects and initiatives, the pursuit of a Market System Development (MSD) approach adapted to the local context, emphasis on national capacity building and results orientation as well as facilitation of regional linkages. The programme will also address cross-cutting issues, among which are gender equality, women and youth economic empowerment, and environmental protection including climate change and biodiversity concerns.

It has the following expected outcomes:

1. Accelerated development of selected value chains as a result of its actors (MSMEs, including cooperatives) benefitting from strengthened horizontal and vertical coordination along the value chains and from market driven improvements in production, storage, (pre-) processing and, ultimately, enhanced market access.
2. Improved national enabling environment for enhancing market driven value chain development, covering a more conducive policy and regulatory framework, enhanced dialogue and demand-based multifaceted service capacities.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall coordination of the Project Manager in the SME Development and Job Creation Unit (TCS/SME/SDJ), UNIDO Headquarters in Vienna, the Chief Technical Advisor makes recommendations on technical issues and ensures the implementation of the national activities of the project.

The Chief Technical Advisor is responsible for coordinating and executing the implementation of technical and administrative activities of the projects at the national level. He/she ensures proper technical execution of missions of international and regional experts and coordinates national participation in regional meetings and study tours. He/she supervises tasks of national and international experts. He/she manages the secretariat of the Steering Committee (SC) of the Project. The Chief Technical Advisor reports to the Project Manager in Vienna.

Based in Monrovia for which he/she is recruited, the Chief Technical Advisor is in charge of the following main tasks:

MAIN DUTIES & EXPECTED RESULTS

1. Provide specialist technical advice to the project manager on issues related to the project, ensuring that all activities are technically sound and properly planned.

- Support provided for the implementation of technical outputs

2. Formulate the inception phase strategy to ensure efficient, coordinated and goal-oriented implementation based on project objectives.

- The inception phase implementation strategy and workplans presented

3. 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.

- Work plans established, updated, approved and monitored

4. Develop Terms of Reference (ToR) and Job Descriptions (JD) for the implementation of national and international activities. In addition, contribute to the identification of candidates, selection and recruitment process in line with UNIDO’s established procedures.

- ToR and JD elaborated and support provided in the selection of experts

5. Propose and deliver capacity-building programmes in areas relevant to the Programme.

- Training programmes outlined, training materials available, training completed.

6. Supervise the team members’ activities, and ensure the appropriate execution of work plans as well as of consultants’ inputs

- Follow-up reports on work plans and satisfactory services by team members, national/international experts are provided

7. Provide technical support to project staff in appropriate domains of competence, mainly in QI, entrepreneurship/enterprise creation, SME creation/development and technical cooperation;

- Technical support to project experts provided

8. Ensure the technical supervision of the missions of national and international technical experts. Analyze relevant national or international consultants’ reports and follow-up implementation of recommendations at the national level.

- Assistance to experts and provide technical opinion on experts’ reports. Support for the implementation of technical outputs

9. Identify linkages that each component should establish with other interventions (donors) together with the other project experts.

- Synergies identified

10. Provide technical guidance on the procurement of goods (conformity assessment equipment and other facilities) and services related to the project and in accordance with relevant local and international guidelines, through:

a. Formulation of specifications for the intended goods and services;

b. Evaluation of procurement documents submitted by prospective suppliers;

c. Assessment of the compliance of delivered goods and services against specified requirements and international standards.

- Support provided for the implementation of technical outputs

11. Follow up on delivery, installation and commissioning of technical equipment for laboratories and other technical structures.

- Technical assistance provided

12. Based on the Key Performances Indicators (KPIs) & as per the project’s logical frameworks and Inception Reports, develop a monitoring framework, to be used to assess the effectiveness of project deliverables and quality of implementation until project completion.

- An easy-to-use monitoring system developed and available for the PMU.

13. Prepare activity reports, results-based reporting for the project according to donor specifications and UNIDO requirements. Prepare periodical technical reports (semi-monthly, semiannual and annual) on implementation of activities of the Programme.          

- Reports available

14. Prepare the other documentation for the Project Steering Committee meetings. Participate in the meetings, keep the minutes and be responsible for follow up actions.

-PSC meetings are efficiently prepared and followed- up

15. Represent the Organization at various meetings and events of relevance to UNIDO

- Ensure UNIDO effective participation in meetings and events

16. Promote UNIDO’s mandate to potential new partners in close coordination and consultation with the PM and UNIDO regional representation in India

- Presentation and promotion of UNIDO’s activities to potential new partners

17. Coordinate and participate in study tours relevant to the project objectives

- Study Tour reports, BTOMR, Specific Action plans derived from the mission and well-integrated with other project activities

18. Ensure the coordination of the national technical and administrative activities of the Programme with the proper implication the private sector, ministries and relevant institutions, as well as proper linkages with regional activities.

- Coordination with stakeholders ensured

19. Be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Project Management Unit (PMU) [UNIDO Team] and the disbursement of local expenditures, based on standard UNIDO field disbursement procedures.

- Efficient and smooth day-to-day operations according to UNIDO procedures

20. Ensure at national level synergy of actions among relevant organizations and institutions in the area of accreditation, metrology, standardization, conformity assessment (testing and calibration, inspection and certification) and the promotion of quality, as well as other activities related to TBT and SPS.

- Coordination with stakeholders ensured

21. Any other task related to project management, administration, etc.

- Project management facilitated throughout the project

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: advanced university degree in science, business administration, economics, other relevant disciplines with a specialization in agriculture, trade, international development and project management, is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the field of food safety systems, value-addition, quality compliance and export promotion for cocoa, horticulture and/or cassava, including experience at the international level involving technical cooperation in developing countries, is required.
• Experience in the field of SME development, and agricultural policy & development, is required.
• Experience in Liberia or the region through an international assistance community-led project is desirable.
• Good capacity to mobilise synergies among beneficiaries of the Programme at national level is desirable.
• Familiarity with the private sector, particularly in relation to trade capacity building and export development is desirable.
• Prior experience under UN-implemented programmes is be considered as an asset.         

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

REQUIRED 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.

Core 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.

This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal.
Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside.
Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

Visit the UNIDO website for details on how to apply: www.unido.org
NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.
 
Notice to applicants:
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