​Requisition ID: 2559 
Grade: SB5 - Local Professional (Mid-Level & Senior) 
Country: Nicaragua 
Duty Station: Managua 
Category: National Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 1 year (with possibility of extension)
Application deadline: 25-Jul-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 Division of Circular Economy and Environmental Protection (TCS/CEP) contributes to greener and more circular industries and products by minimizing both resource use along value chains and the emission of pollutants to the environment. The Division promotes just transitions to circular economies, reduced release of pollutants into the environment and other green industrial and economic approaches to help Member States to grow economically while simultaneously addressing the three planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It does so by supporting resource efficiency increases in the manufacturing and use of products along value chains and during the life cycle of the product; by reducing or eliminating the emission of non-fuel-related greenhouse gas emissions; and by assisting in achieving the objectives of and compliance with multilateral environmental agreements. In doing so, its activities further improve competitiveness, as well as the development of and access to markets, particularly for SMEs. This contributes to climate-neutral, resilient, pollution-free industrial development, supporting co-existence that is in harmony with nature.

The Division acts as the focal point in UNIDO for various multilateral environmental agreements and multilateral co-operation in the field of the environment: the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer; the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; and the Minamata Convention on Mercury; as well as other relevant international initiatives and conventions such as the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), and multilateral co-operation in initiatives like the Partnership on Action for Green Economy (PAGE) and the Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP) and the Green Industry Platform (GIP). The Division coordinates its service delivery with the services offered by other technical divisions, and other relevant organizational entities of UNIDO.

This position is located under the Responsible Materials and Chemicals Management Unit (TCS/CEP/RMC), which is responsible for supporting Member States to implement the chemicals and wastes obligations and requirements under the Basel, Minamata, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions and other emerging relevant agreements, in particular where it relates to larger and formalized industries and sectors, and to leverage its experience to address industrial pollution mitigation in general as well as other emerging compliance mechanisms. With novel approaches to materials and chemicals management and to innovation, with training and education, and with implementing circular economy approaches in particular related to the extension of product life by maintenance, the Unit further leverages its experience to facilitate responsible materials sourcing and to support smaller enterprises and entrepreneurs in greening their businesses.

PROJECT CONTEXT

GEF GOLD+ Nicaragua: Enhancing the formalization and mercury reduction in artisanal and small scale gold mining (ASGM) in Nicaragua

The Project is part of the programme ''Global Opportunities for the Long-term Development of the ASGM sector” (GEF GOLD or planetGOLD) is funded by the GEF and designed to address the key issues linked to continued mercury use and provide sustainable development opportunities for the communities involved. The programme has a global project which will sustain knowledge and improve replication potential. It will also create a nexus of connections among the country projects constituting the wider programme.

The GOLD+ Nicaragua project was approved in December 2022. It is implemented by UNIDO’s RMC Unit located in Vienna and the execution of the project lies with the UNIDO Field Office in Managua, Nicaragua.

The CEO Endorsement document approved by GEF serves as the guidance document in both the implementation and execution of the project.

The project objective is to contribute to the reduction of anthropogenic mercury releases/emissions from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) to the environment, by strengthening formalization processes and enabling environments that foster: inclusion, access to finance and legal supply chains, adoption of clean practices and technologies, and building skills and technical capacities for the ASGM sector. 

The project includes the following four (4) components, in addition to project management:

  • Component 1: Enhancing the formalization of the ASGM sector.

  • Component 2: Access to finance through financial inclusion and responsible supply chains.

  • Component 3: Improving the uptake of mercury-free technologies.

  • Component 4: Knowledge exchange, communication and support for the local capacity building.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The National Project Coordinator (NPC) will assume a high-level role in the project and will be directly responsible for the successful execution of the GEF PlanetGOLD project in Nicaragua. In addition to providing overall direction and supervision of the project in Nicaragua, the coordinator will ensure the achievement of project results while effectively managing the national project team, project budgets, resources, and schedules. Furthermore, the coordinator will be responsible for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the project, including the development of M&E tools and plans, monitoring of beneficiaries and indicators, data compilation, and participatory analysis. The coordinator will analyze data and lessons learned for continuous improvement of project implementation and promotion of a culture of learning.

Working closely with the Implementation Project Manager, the National Project Coordinator will work within the framework of UNIDO policies and practices and ensure that the project complies with donor guidelines. The NPC is responsible for:

  • Project execution and work plans, project strategies, finance, logistics, human resources, communications, governance, project monitoring and evaluation, and administration.

  • Submission of regular reports to the Implementation Project Manager on progress, challenges, opportunities and lessons learned from execution.

  • Submission of project reports as requested by the Implementation Project Manager, funders, regulators and other project and programme entities, including administrative tasks related to project execution.

  • Assistance in the recruitment and training of team members in Nicaragua and provision of ongoing support in accordance with good employment practices, ensuring that they understand UNIDO's employment policies and guidelines and that they work for the fundamental mission and the values of the organization.

  • Assistance in the evaluation of project staff, management of project staff concerns, and conflicts, overseeing of staff contracts and compensation, and facilitation of staff meetings.

  • Improvement of the operational systems and policies to ensure compliance and organizational effectiveness.

  • Development of annual budgets and financial reports.

  • Assistance in the collection of data required for project implementation and evaluation.

  • Development of the public profile of the project.

  • Fostering of effective and productive relationships with stakeholders including government, Artisanal and Small Gold Mining (ASGM), education institutions and private entities in Nicaragua, in line with UNIDO´s policies and procedures.

  • Representation of UNIDO and role of spokesperson at public events, meetings and in front of the media in aspects related to the project.

  • Maintenance of effective and regular contact with key stakeholders.

  • As required, assistance in the translation of project materials and documents.

  • Planning of field trips and logistical arrangements in coordination with the implementing Project Manager and UNIDO’s experts.

  • Travel to project sites, meetings, workshops and other forums.

  • Development of an appropriate monitoring and evaluation system (M&E); revision of the M&E system to adapt it to changing operational contexts.

  • Provision of relevant and timely M&E information in user-friendly formats to key stakeholders

Reporting

Regular communication will be established between the NPC and the Implementation Project Manager and, as appropriate, with other UNIDO staff to ensure that activities are undertaken satisfactorily, efficiently, and cost effectively.

On a weekly basis, the NPC will have a meeting with the Implementation Project Manager on the ongoing activities and tasks due.

On a monthly basis, the NPC shall present a summary of the progress of the project to the Implementation Project Manager, and on a quarterly basis, the NPC shall present more detailed progress and financial reports to the Implementation Project Manager. Additional reports may be required upon request.

The NPC will liaise and consult regularly on matters related to the project with the Ministry of Energy and Mines, and will pursue the monitoring and evaluation activities in line with the CEO endorsement document.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in mining, environmental sciences, geology or other relevant discipline is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

  • A minimum of five (5) years of practical experience in managing complex development projects and programs, preferably in the field of environment, chemicals, waste management, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) or related field, is required.

  • Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries is required. 

  • Thorough knowledge of the implementation and management of development projects in Nicaragua, is required. 

  • Experience in adapting project execution to the guidelines and to the requirements of the financial partners, including the documentation of activity progress and expenses is required.

  • Experience developing professional relations and partnerships with government institutions in an international context is required.

  • Experience developing professional relations and partnerships with diverse stakeholders such as private sector, universities, and others is required.

  • Experience in managing, developing, and supervising multidisciplinary professional personnel is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish 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.


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


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
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