Job Vacancies at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

The Position

• 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

• To facilitate industrialization in the region, the ECOWAS regional industrial strategy has identified strategic interventions to be implemented.
• To that end, the proposed actions intend to cover interventions pertaining to the development of sustainable value chains, MSMEs and facilitating a platform for dialogue on industrialization between public and private sector, including enhancing the capacity of Member States to develop and implement industrial development policies along value chains.
• The programme is putting an emphasis on value chains in line with priorities at regional and national levels, which have high potentials of industrialization and job creation such i.e., Cassava & derivatives, Mango, textile & garments, Information and Communication Technology (Cross cutting).
• The programme aims to support the selected value chains at national and regional levels to promote transformation, better access to regional and international markets, taking into account social and environmental issues.
• The support will also cover the implementation and operationalization of the regional policy framework for the development of the selected value chains.
• The overall objective is to strengthen the competitiveness of West Africa, enhance the countries’ integration into the regional and international trade system.

Specific Objectives

• Improve the performance, growth and contribution to industry, regional trade and exports of selected value chains and
• Improve the climate for business at national and regional levels.
• In the framework of the implementation of the WACOMP, UNIDO’s activities will specifically contribute to Output 1.4 “Regional quality infrastructure system is strengthened, with a view to promote environmental issues” under specific objective 1, and Output 2.2 “Regional policy and framework to improve industrial competitiveness harmonized, formulated and monitored” under specific objective

Roles and Responsibilities

• The roles and responsibilities of the international expert will contribute to the achievement of outcome 1.4 through the following activities:
  • 1.4.1: Consolidate ongoing support and improve regional quality infrastructure to develop and implement standards and regulations, particularly for targeted value chains.
  • 1.4.3: Promotion of quality and ECOWAS Certification Mark.
  • 1.4.4: Coordinating Quality Infrastructure of Member states as well as encourage networking of national quality units.
• The Senior Expert in Quality Promotion and Quality Infrastructure is responsible for:
  • Implementation of Quality Promotion activities related to the four regional value chains,
  • Support to the secretariats of the ECOWAS Community Committees for Standardization (ECOSHAM) and Technical Regulation (ECOREG)
  • Support the ECOWAS Quality Infrastructure governance meetings,
  • Any other ad hoc tasks required by the head.
• In this context, the expert will work under the overall supervision of the Project Manager in Vienna and the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Adviser of the Project in Abuja. To this end, the expert will carry out the main tasks indicated in the following list:

Main Duties
Implementation of Quality Promotion activities related to the four regional value chains (Activity 1.4.1, 1.4.3 & 1.4.4):

• Ensure the awareness and the training of the main actors (except those of the QI institutions) of the 4 RVC:
  • Ensure the recruitment of trainers;
  • Follow-up the preparation of training materials
  • Ensure selection of participants (main actors)
  • Provide logistical support to the organization of workshops and trainings.
  • Ensure the evaluation of the missions of the trainers.
• Follow-up the updating of the ECOWAS quality and industry database (ECOQUIB) (1.4.4) in collaboration with the national focal points (include those from the 4 RVC).
• Support the launch of the ECOWAS quality and industry database (ECOQUIB) (1.4.4)
• Provide technical support to the Communication expert for the promotion of ECOQUIB
• Ensure the finalization of the development and the handover of the Mauritania Quality and Industry database (MAUQUIB)
• Support the ECOWAS Commission Department in charge of Industry and Private Sector in the organization of the Quality Awards ceremony related to 2019 edition.
• Support the improvement of the QMS of selected enterprises through digital solutions.

Support to the secretariats of the ECOWAS Community Committees for Standardization (ECOSHAM) and Technical Regulation (ECOREG) (Activity 1.4.4):

• Support the preparation of the working documents of the meetings of ECOSHAM and ECOREG and their sub-committees;
• Support the preparation of the reports and final documents of the meetings;
• Support the follow-up of the recommendations from the meetings;
• Ensure the backup of the relevant documents related to the two committees (ECOSHAM and ECOREG);
• Support ECOWAS Commission in the organization of meetings for the official adoption of standards, technical regulations or any other documents.
• Provide technical and logistic support to facilitate the work of the THC and working groups as well the national institutions concerned.
• Follow up the mission of the regional experts in standardization and technical regulations recruited to develop draft standards and technical regulations.
• Support the improvement of the standardization and the technical regulation processes through digital solutions.

Support the ECOWAS Quality Infrastructure governance meetings (Activity 1.4.4):

• Support the organization of the meetings of the Community Council for Quality (CCQ) and the ECOWAS Agency for Quality (ECOWAQ):
• Prepare the working documents,
• Provide support for the preparation of the reports,
• Ensure the dissemination of the reports of the meetings and follow up the implementation of the recommendations

Support the development of a guideline relating to the "Quality approach” to be used in the framework of the competitiveness of value chains (activity 2.2.B.2):

• Ensure the recruitment of a regional expert and follow-up his mission
• Ensure the validation of the guideline proposed by the project team.

Any other ad hoc task related to the implementation and monitoring of the overall work plan of the programme and as specified by the CTA & the Programme Manager.

Submit a final mission report.

Minimum Organizational Requirements
Education:

• Advanced University Degree in Management, Engineering or any related field with good knowledge of quality in general, is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years practical experience in the field of quality, including experience in promoting quality at the regional level, is required;
• Experience in the agricultural products value chains is required;
• Good skills in IT domain (Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint, etc.) is required

Following experience would be an asset:

• Have knowledge of the quality issues at the regional level and the different actors of the National Quality Infrastructure in the Member States;
• Have practical experience in the following standards: ISO 9001, global gap, ISO 14001, ISO 22000, and good agricultural practices;
• Have experience in organizing national and regional quality awards;
• Multicultural project team experience in the region or internationally;
• Experience in conducting regional projects;

Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken one of the three (3) official languages of ECOWAS (English, French, Portuguese) is required.
• Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official ECOWAS language, desirable.

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.

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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.
• This position is located under the Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency Unit (TCS/CEP/CER) which is responsible for supporting capacity development to scale up and mainstream the production of sustainable products and adoption of circular and resource-efficient cleaner patterns of consumption and production along value chains, circular economy policies, programmes and practices, including circular business models that improve the profitability of industries while creating social and environmental benefits.
• In addition, it promotes nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches for inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) that support the co-existence of industries in harmony with nature.
• In addition, it facilitates the design of sustainable products made with fewer materials, with greater durability, reliability, reparability, reusability and recyclability, and supports the deployment of new business models that improve environmental performance.
• The State Field Coordinator will work under supervision of UNIDO HQ Project Manager at TCS/CEP/CER for the project 210184. The contract period might be extended until the end of the project subject to the incumbent performance and budget availability.

Project Context

• Project 210184 “Promoting sustainable plastic value chains through circular economy practices”
• The project aims to contribute to Nigeria’s inclusive and sustainable industrial development and reduce leakage of plastics to the environment through promotion of circular economy principles and practices to be integrated into effective implementation of plastic waste management and strengthening plastic value chains.
• It is expected to demonstrate the benefit of adopting circular economy practices and resource efficient production for plastic value chains in Nigeria.
• The project has three lines of activities, which interact with each other: 1) Support development of implementation guidelines of the national policy on plastic waste management; 2)
• Support to strengthening recycling capacity at target municipalities through reinforcing the value chain system, including provision of necessary equipment and pilot implementation of the guidelines on plastic waste management; and 3) demonstration of circular economy and resource efficiency practices, including recycling system and innovative technology at pilot companies or institutions to showcase their benefits.

Functional Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the Project Manager at UNIDO Headquarters and the National Programme Coordinator at UNIDO Regional Office in Nigeria, and in close communication and coordination with the UNIDO project team, as well as international experts, the project counterparts, and cooperating institutions in Nigeria, the State Field Coordinator is required to carry out the following main duties in Abuja:

Main Duties	Concrete / measurable Outputs to be achieved	Expected duration	Location
Liaise with counterparts in Abuja (Ferderal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv), Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), and other institutions) and closely assist in case of need in the organization of the periodical project meetings such as Project Steering Committee (PSC) and Project State Coordination Team meetings (PSCT) as well as awareness raising seminars/ workshops/ trainings, and events.	Duties carried out as assigned.	60 days	Abuja, Nigeria
Participate in the meeting/ sermianrs/ workshops/ trainings/ events organized for the project, and draft the meeting minutes or event reports, circulate to the concerned parties for comments and finalise.	Meeting minutes or Reports on project events		Abuja, Nigeria
Assist international experts, as required, in conducting the assessment in target municipalities in Lagos and preparaing zero draft Action Plan for the target municipality, by interviewing, collecting data and materials.	Repotrs, if required. Duties carried out as assigned.		Abuja, Nigeria
Facilitate and encourage the counterparts to deliver required tasks on time.	Duties carried out as assigned.		Abuja, Nigeria
Monitor progress of project’s sub-contractors, experts, and counterparts’ activities, identify risks that may delay the project progress, report to the Project Manager and the National Programme Coordinator with suggestions, and take mitigation measures if necessary.	Monthly reports with work plan of the next month		Abuja, Nigeria
Assist and follow-up with the counterparts in preparing their progress report.	Duties carried out as assigned.		Abuja, Nigeria
Assist and coorproate with the National Program Coordinator in collecting any information and data, coordinating with stakeholders, and supporting any administrative work required to promote project activities.	Duties carried out as assigned.		Abuja, Nigeria
Perform all other necessary project tasks as required by the Project Manager.	All necessary project outputs timely achieved and duties carried out as assigned.		Abuja, Nigeria

Minimum Organizational Requirements
Education:

• Advanced University Degree in Engineering, Waste Management, Environment Policies, Environment Management, Economics, Business Management, or other relevant discipline for the project coordination, is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• A minimum of three (3) years of practical work experience in coordination, partnership building, project management, data collection and analysis, in organizations that work with the environment management related field, is required.
• Experience in working with public and private institutions on waste management topic is desirable.
• Demonstrated excellent report writing skill is desirable. 
• Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required.  Fluency and/or working knowledge of local language is desirable.

Required Values and 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.

go to method of application »

The Position

• This position is located under the Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency Unit (TCS/CEP/CER) which is responsible for supporting capacity development to scale up and mainstream the production of sustainable products and adoption of circular and resource-efficient cleaner patterns of consumption and production along value chains, circular economy policies, programmes and practices, including circular business models that improve the profitability of industries while creating social and environmental benefits.
• In addition, it promotes nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches for inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) that support the co-existence of industries in harmony with nature.
• In addition, it facilitates the design of sustainable products made with fewer materials, with greater durability, reliability, reparability, reusability and recyclability, and supports the deployment of new business models that improve environmental performance.
• The State Field Coordinator will work under supervision of UNIDO HQ Project Manager at TCS/CEP/CER for the project 210184. The contract period might be extended until the end of the project subject to the incumbent performance and budget availability.

Project Context
Project 210184 "Promoting sustainable plastic value chains through circular economy practices"

• The project aims to contribute to Nigeria’s inclusive and sustainable industrial development and reduce leakage of plastics to the environment through promotion of circular economy principles and practices to be integrated into effective implementation of plastic waste management and strengthening plastic value chains. It is expected to demonstrate the benefit of adopting circular economy practices and resource efficient production for plastic value chains in Nigeria.
• The project has three lines of activities, which interact with each other: 1) Support development of implementation guidelines of the national policy on plastic waste management; 2) Support to strengthening recycling capacity at target municipalities through reinforcing the value chain system, including provision of necessary equipment and pilot implementation of the guidelines on plastic waste management; and 3) demonstration of circular econo my and resource efficiency practices, including recycling system and innovative technology at pilot companies or institutions to showcase their benefits.

Functional Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the Project Manager at UNIDO Headquarters and the National Programme Coordinator at UNIDO Regional Office in Nigeria, and in close communication and  coordination with the UNIDO project team, as well as international experts, the project counterparts, and cooperating institutions in Nigeria, the State Field Coordinator is required to carry out the following main duties in Lagos:

Main Duties	Concrete / Measurable Outputs to be achieved	Expected Duration	Location
Liaise with counterparts in Lagos (LASEPA, LAWMA, FBRA, etc.) and closely assist in case of need in the organization of the periodical project meetings such as Project Steering Committee (PSC) and Project State Coordination Team meetings (PSCT) as well as awareness raising seminars/ workshops/ trainings, and events.	Duties carried out as assigned.	60 days	Lagos, Nigeria
Participate in the meeting/ sermianrs/ workshops/ trainings/ events organized for the project, and draft the meeting minutes or event reports, circulate to the concerned parties for comments and finalise.	Meeting minutes or Reports on project events		Lagos, Nigeria
Assist international experts, as required, in conducting the assessment in target municipalities in Lagos and preparaing zero draft Action Plan for the target municipality, by interviewing, collecting data and materials.	Repotrs, if required. Duties carried out as assigned.		Lagos, Nigeria
Facilitate and encourage the counterparts to deliver required tasks on time.	Duties carried out as assigned.		Lagos, Nigeria
Monitor progress of project’s sub-contractors, experts, and counterparts’ activities, identify risks that may delay the project progress, report to the Project Manager and the National Programme Coordinator with suggestions, and take mitigation measures if necessary.	Monthly reports with work plan of the next month		Lagos, Nigeria
Assist and follow-up with the counterparts in preparing their progress report.	Duties carried out as assigned.		Lagos, Nigeria
Perform all other necessary project tasks as required by the Project Manager.	All necessary project outputs timely achieved and duties carried out as assigned.		Lagos, Nigeria

Minimum Organizational Requirements
Education:

• Advanced University Degree in Engineering, Waste Management, Environement Policies, Environment Management, Economics, Business Management, or other relevant discipline for the project coordination is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• A minimum of three (3) years of working experience in coordination, partnership building, project management, data collection and analysis, in organizations that work with the environment management related field, is required.
• Experience in working with public and private institutions on waste management topic is desired.
• Demonstrated excellent report writing skill is desired. 

Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. 
• Fluency and/or working knowledge of local language is desirable.

Required Values and 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.