Date: Industrial Development Expert

​Requisition ID: 4811
Grade: L3
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
Category: Project-funded Professional and higher
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Staff-Full-time
Appointment Type: Fixed Term - 200 series
Indicative Minimum Net Annual Salary: 102,465 EUR
Application Deadline: 02-Dec-2024, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
THE APPOINTMENT IS LIMITED TO THE SPECIFIED PROJECT(S) ONLY AND DOES NOT CARRY ANY EXPECTATION OF RENEWAL.
Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
Detailed information on the project can be found at UNIDO’s Open Data Platform: https://open.unido.org/

I. 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 Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all relevant organizational entities within UNIDO, the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, ensures the Organization's application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to environment, energy, Micro, Small and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs), and digitalization. The Directorate also oversees the Organization's normative contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through industrial policy advice and capacity development. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute to effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results, scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.

The Directorate is responsible for the Division of Industrial Policy Advice and Capacity Development (TCS/IPC), and technical Divisions of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG), Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA), Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP); MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI). Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, TCS collaborates closely with IET to develop and implement programmes and projects, aiming at enhancing synergy and complementarity and maximizing UNIDO corporate performance and impacts on the ground. The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in all Directorates across the Organization.

The position is located under the MSME Development and Job Creation Unit (TCS/SME/MDJ) which supports micro, small and medium manufacturing enterprises (MSMEs) in Member States to take advantage of new technologies, business and organizational support, investment promotion, cluster development and partnerships to improve their businesses for advancing the overall economic competitiveness.

At the L3 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver: (a) work from a seasoned analyst; (b) in creating an enabling environment for work which is solid and anchored to achieving results; (c) in building relationships which contributes to relationship management and (d) in achieving results within a professional team. The measure of success is in consistent and dependable delivery of results.

The UNIDO Staff Performance Management System reinforces the collaboration within formal units as well as among cross-functional teams. In this context, the incumbent collaborates with his/her supervisor and colleagues, within as well as outside the unit. Within the formal teams, the incumbent may be expected to backstop other team members as required.

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.

II. Project/Programme Context (if applicable)

Project ID 220009: Improving the standards compliance through increased national capacities for residue monitoring

After signing the DCFTA, Moldova has undertaken the task to adapt its national food safety legislation to the requirements of the relevant EU laws and regulations. In order to reduce the technical barriers to trade and to increase access to and trade with the EU market, Moldova needs to achieve a higher level of compliance with EU technical requirements such as standards, technical regulations and product-related directives and needs to upgrade related controls or conformity assessment.

The overall objective of this Action is to enhance national consumer safety and access to safe, healthy and nutritious food and to improve trade opportunities and create a conducive business environment for SMEs, thus contributing to resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economic development as well as paving the way to a fully-fledged Green Deal for the Republic of Moldova.

The specific objective of the Action is to increase national capacities for residue monitoring in animal feed and products of animal origin (pesticides, veterinary medicine, contaminants and prohibited substances).

The Action will pursue three technical Outcomes, thus responding to the limited capacity for residues monitoring and the main compliance challenges identified in the Republic of Moldova:

Outcome 1: Improved practices of competent authorities (ANSA and MAFI) through strengthened institutional and analytical capacities, revamped legal and regulatory framework and effective enforcement of official control at central and regional levels

Institutional strengthening of the ANSA and MAFI through capacity building, use of best practices, skills development, and implementation of management systems.

Outcome 2: Improved practices of public and private laboratories through expanded testing capacities, demonstrating proof of compliance.

Strengthening both the public, national reference, and private laboratories through capacity building, use of best practices, skills development, procurement of additional laboratory equipment and implementation of management systems, accreditation, and validation of methods to ensure quality and international recognition of their services with a focus on pesticide and veterinary drug residues.

Outcome 3: SMEs and FBOs application of best practices enhanced, quality awareness raised and culture for quality among producers, consumers and support institutions promoted in the value chains of meat, poultry and milk products.

Improving compliance capacity and awareness through specialised training and capacity building for SMEs and FBOs and awareness-raising activities to introduce a consumption pattern, which prioritizes purchasing and consumption of quality products.

This Action is proposed in line with the European Green Deal and the Farm2Fork strategy and will directly contribute to the EU’s Annual Action Plan for 2021, in particular: Output 1.3: National capacities for residues monitoring in agri-food products increased.

The Action will contribute to the accomplishment of the 2nd General Objective of the National Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy (SNDAR) 2023-2030 “Development of the food industry and diversification of markets”, and the Food Security Strategy of the Republic of Moldova for 2023-2030.

The Action will promote SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production through its contribution to UNIDO Country Programme for Moldova 2019 – 2024 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) of the Republic of Moldova 2023-2027.

III. Responsibilities

The Industrial Development Expert works under the overall guidance of the Chief, Division of MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME); the direct supervision of the Chief, MSME Development and Job Creation Unit (TCS/SME/MDJ) and in close collaboration with the colleagues to support the mandate of the Division.

She/he will be responsible for providing technical support to the smooth and timely execution of projects and be accountable for the achievement of project results as/if assigned. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Execute and monitor projects/ programme implementation activities and services, ensuring that assigned inputs are high quality, delivered on time and within the allocated budget.

  • Coordinate the execution of the project, including as/if needed:

    • Supervising and coordinating the work of project consultants, partners and sub-contractors.

    • Preparing necessary inputs (work plans, consultant job descriptions, terms of reference, training arrangements, equipment specifications, etc.).

    • Monitoring progress and expenditures, preparing financial forecasts and budget revisions, including missions to project sites.

    • Participating in oversight meetings in the field and at headquarters and assists the Evaluation Group in its evaluations of projects/programmes.

    • Coordinate project communication and knowledge management activities.

    • Manage external relations by maintaining close relationships with all stakeholders involved in the project, including government institutions and international entities, locally based donor institutions, international financial institutions and regional development banks, the private sector, civil society and academia to establish collaborations and synergies.

    • Support advocacy, communication and global forum activities related to the progamme/project and aimed at strengthening public relations, including the preparation of promotional materials, organization of media events, dissemination of information on the project activities through UNIDO/project website and network of UNIDO offices.

    • In line with the guidelines and procedures governing the technical cooperation activities of UNIDO, contribute to planning funds mobilization strategies and cooperate with other units in-house in mobilizing the funds necessary for a follow up project and programme.