​Requisition ID: 1732 
Grade: SB5 - Local Professional (Mid-Level & Senior) 
Country: Colombia 
Duty Station: Bogota 
Category: National Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal/External
Employment Type: Non-staff Regular
Contract Duration: 6 months (with the possibility of extension)
Application deadline: 07-Feb-2023  

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL

Only nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are considered eligible. 
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).

This position is located under the Competitiveness, Quality and Compliance Unit (TCS/SME/CQC) which builds national and regional production and quality infrastructure systems, with an emphasis on providing internationally recognized services, facilitating SME participation in regional and global value chains; strengthening institutional quality infrastructure capacities (i.e. standardization, metrology, and accreditation); building conformity assessment capacities (testing, inspection, certification, calibration, etc.); and supporting trade facilitation and quality awareness with the public sector, economic operators and consumers, placing a special emphasis on capacitating SMEs.

PROJECT CONTEXT

In order to consolidate UNIDO/SECO interventions on trade standards compliance within one tool, adding the benefit of a global component facilitating synergies and enhancing coherence among the interventions, UNIDO and SECO have developed a coherent programmatic approach: the Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP). The GQSP supports selected countries to align the demand for and supply of quality services required to prove and verify the quality of products. It will have two components (1) Global Knowledge Management (C1) and (2) Country Projects.

The project “Quality Programme for the Chemical Value Chain” has been developed to be considered under component 2 and its overall objective is to foster Colombia’s integration into the regional and multilateral trading systems, through the strengthening of the National Quality Subsystem (SICAL) within the framework of the priorities of the 10 industrial groups that compose the Chemical Value Chain and the increase and improvement of MSME’s capacities to comply with technical requirements, international quality, private and sustainability standards required for trade facilitation. The project includes three complementary outcomes that are aligned to the Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP), to be implemented over a period of four years:

Outcome 1: The sustainability and technical competence of the National Quality Subsystem SICAL are improved in the relevant areas to strategic sectors of the Chemical Value Chain to improve its competitiveness and favorize its access to new markets.

Outcome 2: The capacity of the MSMEs of the Chemical Value Chain to comply with technical regulations, international quality, private and sustainability standards is enhanced.

Outcome 3: The awareness for quality is enhanced for the improvement of quality and competitiveness.

The National Technical Coordinator (NTC) shall under the overall coordination of UNIDO’s Representative in Colombia, under the supervision of UNIDO’s TCS/SME/CQC Project Manager and Regional Chief Technical Advisor (RCTA), provide expert technical advice on all sector-related issues and support the implementation of activities falling under this Project to ensure implementation in an integrated and coherent manner. The NTC is responsible for the technical direction of the project activities aimed at strengthening the sector’s value chain, and identification/implementation of solutions to overcome bottlenecks foreseen under the Project’s scopes.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. PROJECT COORDINATION

1.1 In close coordination with RCTA advise the project manager (PM), the donor and counterparts on policy, development strategy and technical matters.

1.2 Ensure, in consultation with the RCTA consistency within the UNIDO project  components/outputs and activities.

1.3 Establish and maintain relations and exchange of information with the local authorities, private sector institutions, enterprises, support institutions and other development partners.

1.4 Prepare and monitor detailed work plans and budgets of the different interventions including a time plan for field experts,

trainings, fellowships, sub-contracts, equipment purchases etc.

1.5 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.

1.6 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.

2. PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

2.1 Provide substantial advice on questions relating to the identification, utilization, transformation, production along the chemical value chain. This includes the proper utilization of bio-tradable resources.

2.2 Establish and maintain relations and exchange of information with local authorities, private sector institutions, enterprises, support institutions and other key partners.

2.3 Prepare, in consultation with the RCTA and relevant sector-specific stakeholders, detailed work plans.

2.4 Define, in in consultation with the PM/ RCTA, institutional development objectives. Identify any pre-conditions that need to be fulfilled by the Government to achieve these objectives.

2.5 In consultation with the PM/RCTA, identify in detail the nature of international and national expertise required; in consultation with relevant national counterparts prepare draft job descriptions.

2.6 Coordinate the local work of short-term sector-specific national and international consultants and sub-contractors, to ensure smooth project delivery.

2.7 Coordinate the administrative organization of study tours and other training programmes including selection of participants.

2.8 Support the preparation of technical specifications for the purchasing of equipment, if deem necessary.

3. PROGRAMME MONITORING AND REPORTING

3.1 Prepare biweekly activity reports, and provide inputs for the preparation of the quarterly and 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.

3.2 In coordination with the PM/RCTA brief key sector-specific counterparts regularly on implementation progress.

3.3 Provide inputs and support the preparation of the documentation for the Project Steering Committee meetings.

4. PROMOTION & TRAINING

4.1 Support the preparation of promotional material on the project in consultation PM/RCTA and key stakeholders and ensure that sufficient exposure is made about the project in the media.

4.2 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.

4.3 Develop a report with the donor community to publicize the project results and seek cooperation and funding for additional areas.

4.4 Ad-hoc requests: Any other assignments related to a timely and effective implementation of the project as requested by the PM/RCTA.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced University degree in Industrial, Economics, Engineering or related field. Postgraduate studies in relevant related field.

Technical and Functional Experience:

At least five (5) years of professional experience in technical cooperation projects is required. Experience in in the areas of quality infrastructure in Colombia and institutions and private sector in the chemical industry field is required.

Management experience is required. Computer literacy (MS Office, data base management) is required. Ability to develop technical analysis to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations. Exposure to the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries. 

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken Spanish is required. Advanced technical capabilities in written and spoken English are 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.

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.

Managerial and Leadership Competencies (as applicable)

WE ARE STRATEGIC, DECISIVE, PRINCIPLED AND INSPIRATIONAL: As managers, we are strategic and fair in driving our team’s performance. As leaders, we are a source of inspiration, stand for norms and standards established in the UN Charter and duty bound to defend these ideals with a principled approach.

WE ARE INCLUSIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE: As managers, we are inclusive in our approach and maintain constructive engagement with all our stakeholders. As leaders, we embrace all personnel and stakeholders and are accountable mutually within UNIDO, within the system, to beneficiaries and the public and beyond.

WE ARE MULTI-DIMENSIONAL AND TRANSFORMATIONAL: As managers, we go beyond conventional methods to help our organizational units strengthen their own agility and adaptability to change. As leaders in the UN system, we have a vision which is integrated and engaged across the pillars of Peace and Security, Human Rights and Development.

WE ARE COLLABORATIVE AND CO-CREATIVE: As managers, we foster a team spirit and create meaningful opportunities to hear the voices of those around us, while realizing that only by working together can we accomplish our mission. As leaders we see the inter-dependency of imperatives of the UN Charter and personally champion a collaborative inter-agency, multi-stakeholders and cross-thinking approach.

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:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unido.org