Technical Advisor

​Requisition ID: 604 
Grade : L4 
Country: Armenia 
Duty Station : Yerevan 
Category: Project-funded Professional and higher 
Type of job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Staff-Full-time
Minimum Annual salary: 105,627 USD 
Application deadline: 09-Feb-2023  

Vacancy Announcement
Female candidates from all Member States are particularly encouraged to apply.
The appointment is limited to the specified project only and does not carry any expectation of renewal.

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 positions is located in Competitiveness, Quality and Compliance Unit (TCS/SME/CQC). The Competitiveness, Quality and Compliance Unit (TCS/SME/CQC) 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.

The Technical Advisor (L4) will work under the overall guidance of the Chief, TCS/SME; the direct supervision of the Lead Project Manager and in close cooperation with and the Project Management Unit and UNIDO Country Representative in Armenia.

Project Context

The Republic of Armenia being a member of the European Union (EU) Neighborhood Policy since 2004, entered into the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the (EU) on 1 March 2021. One key part of the CEPA that affects trade and the inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) of Armenia is Chapter 3 on “Technical Barriers to Trade”. Utilizing the provisions of this chapter will improve the trade competitiveness of Armenia however, critical weaknesses currently exist that limit Armenia’s ability to meaningfully benefit from this chapter of the agreement. 

A country’s ability to reduce and possibly eliminate technical barriers to trade is directly related to the strength and international recognition of its Quality Infrastructure System (QIS). One critical component of this QIS that ensures the quality of measurements used to demonstrate conformance to standard specifications is metrology. Metrology, defined as the science of measurement and its application, is currently underdeveloped in Armenia which leaves the Armenian industry and stakeholders to obtain calibrations of their measuring instruments from overseas suppliers, usually at a high cost due to transportation and travel costs. 

An assessment of the weaknesses in the metrology system within Armenia reveals that while Armenia is a member of COOMET, the Euro-Asian Regional Metrology Organization (RMO) of the BIPM, the NBSM does not possess the technical competence to meaningfully contribute to the technical work of COOMET. Further, the ability to fully benefit from this membership is limited because Armenia is neither a member of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) nor the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML). The NBSM’s lack of technical competence comes from an absence of the basic resources including weak legislative and governance structures, limited financial resources, no suitable laboratory infrastructure, lack of equipment as well as limited and underdeveloped human resources.  

The project, financed by the EU and implemented by UNIDO will support to upgrade the Metrology system of Armenia through institutional strengthening of the National Body for Standards and Metrology, improving legal, regulatory and governance system in line with international recommendations and best practices, increase Armenia’s participation in the international and regional metrology communities as well as interaction with the European Association of Metrology Institutes (EURAMET). The project will help to establish 4 calibration laboratories by purchasing, installing and commissioning the measurement standards, measuring instruments and equipment required to develop the required calibration and measurement capabilities, and preparing them for international accreditation. As a result of this project sustainable and internationally recognized metrology services will be provided to stakeholders. 

By implementing this Action, Armenia will be able to meaningfully use the benefits of CEPA, improve the quality of goods produced in Armenia, and ensure the international recognition of tests performed in Armenia resulting in increased trade with the EU and other foreign markets.

The benefits of Quality Infrastructure (QI) are not limited to trade, a robust QI also contributes to other areas including, but not limited to, food safety and security, health, climate change and the environment. Once again, the EU stands by Armenia and strengthen the Armenian Government’s strategic and technical capacity to plan and implement structural reforms.”

Duty Station: Yerevan, Republic of Armenia 

Main Functions

The TA will provide overall technical lead, strategic coordination and oversight in the implementation of project results and activities; he/she will supervise and coordinate the work of project consultants, partners and sub-contractors; he/she will ensure the timely delivery of day-to-day actions and project milestones; he/she will contribute to communication efforts related to the technical assistance delivered by the project; he/she will deliver reporting requirements on project activities, including substantive achievements and performance; 

The TA will report to the UNIDO Project Team Leader at UNIDO Headquarters Vienna and work in close co-operation with the National Project Coordinator (NPC) and the PMU, in liaison with the UNIDO Country Office in Armenia. The TA will be responsible for the technical implementation of the project and will supervise and provide guidance to International and Local Experts that will be contracted to provide technical inputs to the Programme. The incumbent will undertake the following duties with regard to the whole project:

PROJECT MANAGEMENT and IMPLEMENTATION
-    Propose work plans and supervise the day-to-day implementation of project interventions. 
-    Establish a coherent monitoring system for the project including Key Performance Indicators (KPI) 
-    Monitor the overall management, performance and progress of the project. Participate in and facilitate internal and external monitoring and evaluation.
-    Provide leadership and strategic thinking to ensure that project activities focus on critical areas for the attainment of the main objectives
-    Design, coordinate and supervise human and institutional capacity development activities under the project implementation
-    Supervise, coordinate and evaluate the work of the project staff, including national technical coordination units, and consultants, and prepare progress and final project reports in a timely manner
-    Liaise and interact with the designated national focal point institutions of the project for coordination and monitoring of national impact of the project
-    Implement an appropriate visibility/marketing strategy of the project and UNIDO intervention including the preparation of promotional material
-    Prepare Terms of Reference (TOR) for international and national expertise required for the project and supervise national and international consultants as well as consultation missions
-    Assist the elaboration of requests/tenders for procurement and logistics, including develop TORs for and supervise the implementation of national and international sub-contracts including on civil works, equipment purchases, etc.
-    Ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the financial, administrative, and technical management of the project and ensure permanent support and general follow-up of project activities, in accordance with UNIDO rules and regulations
-    Carry out assignments for the counterpart in agreement with UNIDO lead project manager and perform other related duties and assignments as required by the project manager
-    Prepare regular and annual reports (narrative and financial) for the programme according to donor specifications and UNIDO requirements and prepare the final project report
-    Support other related duties and assignments as required by the lead project manager

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT
-    Select and record lessons learned from  the implementation of project activities, networking with project partners and beneficiaries to help achieve objectives of the project
-    Facilitate the use of global, regional and national knowledge networks to share project results including project publications, conference proceedings, and other related requests
-    Create and maintain a roster of institutions to support capacity development activities

TECHNICAL ADVICE
-    Provide technical support to project beneficiaries and involved institutions in appropriate domains of competence, mainly standardisation, metrology, accreditation, conformity assessment and quality promotion
-    Assist in the elaboration of the programme of project activities and participate in the work of the and meetings of the Steering Committee
-    Conceptualize study tours and technical trainings
-    Provide long-term technical training/support to above mentioned institutions at the level of senior and middle management on best-practice management principles to ensure optimal use of project inputs and improved absorption capacity
-    Participate and/or contribute in the policy discussions on substantive and operational aspects concerning the project in the relevant meetings or forums

COORDINATION WITH PARTNER INSTITUTIONS AND DONORS
-    Ensure synergies with Programmes conducted by other organizations or institutions
-    Assist in promoting dialogue and good practices in the focus areas of the project among different stakeholders
-    Brief interested donors, foreign missions on the activities of the project
-    Coordinate, prepare and conduct all meetings and proceedings of the project Steering Committee and follow up on the implementation of decisions taken
-    Assist the counterparts in providing information as requested
-    Facilitate dissemination of good practices and experience of NQI and its role in regional integration 
-    Liaise with all relevant stakeholders to ensure achievement of the objectives of the Project

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.

Managerial and Leadership Competencies
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.

Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.
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.

Minimum Requirements
Education:
Advanced University Degree in Sciences, Engineering, Economics, and Business Administration or in other relevant discipline with a specialization in metrology and international trade development is required.

Experience:
A minimum of 7 years working experience in the field of quality infrastructure upgrading (i.e. quality policy, standards development, metrology, conformity assessment and accreditation capabilities), including experience at the international level involving technical cooperation in developing countries, is required.
Experience in the development of metrology laboratories that have successfully been accredited regionally or internationally is required.
Experience in project management, including designing, managing, implementing and reporting to donors is required.
Existing relationships within the Quality Infrastructure community particularly with the metrology community and organizations such as the BIPM, OIML, COOMET and/or EURAMET is desirable.
Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries is desirable.
Experience in implementing multi-country/regional technical assistance projects is desirable.

UNIDO Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language, particularly Russian desirable.

NOTE: Eligible internal UNIDO applicants are required to have served at least one year in their current post. However, the seniority-in-grade requirements for applying for higher level positions, as per paragraphs 18 and 78 of the HRMF, have been waived.

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.

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 web site 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