Requisition ID: 3411
Grade: L3
Country: Egypt
Duty Station: Cairo
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 Annual Salary: 64,121 USD EUR
Application Deadline: 17-Apr-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)
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.
The Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all organizational entities within UNIDO, in particular the Office of Change Management (ODG/CHM), the Office of Legal Affairs and Compliance (ODG/LEG), the Strategic Planning and UN Engagement Division (ODG/SPU), and the Office of Evaluation and Internal Oversight (EIO), the Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for the development of innovative UNIDO services in the areas of agro-industry and agribusiness, sustainability standards and fair production, and climate-relevant or climate-improving technologies.
It is also, in collaboration with ODG, responsible for developing innovative technical cooperation concepts, identifying new sources and means of finance and entering into new partnerships with a broad range of relevant stakeholders.
Under the overall guidance of the Director General, the direct supervision of the Managing Director, Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), and in close coordination with other organizational entities within UNIDO, the Division of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR) supports Member States in their efforts to pave the way to sustainable rural development and a structurally transformed and modernized agribusiness sector.
Capitalizing on the experience gained by UNIDO in this field over decades and on tried-and-tested and to-be-developed service modules, the Division will explore innovative approaches to maximise the potential that exists in agribusiness development, addressing emerging global trends, in particular food security, poverty alleviation and climate change. It will explore new ways to contribute to global efforts to reduce hunger, accelerate food systems transition, and generate income and employment, especially among women and youth.
The position is located under the Rural Development, Agroindustries and Industrial Parks Unit (IET/AGR/RAP), which aims to improve rural livelihoods by extending and professionalizing agro-industrial production, infrastructure supply and employment. It provides technical cooperation services to develop formal and informal enterprises and entrepreneurs that produce and source agricultural products– directly or through business-development service agents – with support for business planning, technology adoption, investment planning, product improvement, quality compliance and marketing.
The Unit also promotes the planning for developing the necessary infrastructure for the transportation of intermediary and final products and related basic infrastructure (land, electricity, water, communication, waste treatment, etc.) required for agro-processing and value addition, making use, among others, of sustainable agro-industrial park development schemes.
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 Appraisal and Management System reinforces the collaboration withinformal units as well as among cross-functional teams. Withinthe 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 Context
PROJECT 200084: The Egyptian cotton project – Phase II
The Egyptian cotton project – Phase II (SAP ID 200084) is built on the successful results of the previous initiative, funded by AICS, “From cotton seeds to clothing: Enhancing the sustainability, inclusiveness and value addition of the cotton value chain in Egypt” (SAP ID 160068) and it aims at strengthening and upscaling the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the Egyptian cotton value chain.
Cotton plays a major role in the economic and social development of developing and newly industrialized countries. Same applies to Egypt, where the textile sector is vertically integrated from raw material to ready-made garments. Therefore, the government points to the textile value chain as one of the economic drivers that could boost industrial production, create new job opportunities, and enhance trade balance. However, demand for sustainability is arising in the global market and the Egyptian cotton sector is not yet equipped to meet these requirements as well as consistent quality.
This new proposal will focus on extending sustainable practices and related certification (BCI and organic) in new areas, as well as strengthening the capacities of implementation of the cotton production stakeholders (growers, extension services, ginners) and relevant institutions. To support the development of the Egyptian cotton value chain, it is of paramount importance to provide skilled labour from production to processing, and therefore the project will support the embedding of the concept of quality and sustainability in existing educational curricula and trainings.
The same concept of sustainability will be promoted at industrial level by raising awareness on greener technologies and related technical know-how, circular approaches in order to strengthen industry competencies coupling them with competitive production costs and a fully integrated local industry from ginning to ready-made-garments.
The intervention will strongly leverage on the local and international private sector network created during previous interventions, through the establishment of a Private sector working group, bridging them with relevant line Ministries and governmental agencies, involved in the governance of the cotton sector.
III. Responsibilities
The Industrial Development Expert works under the overall guidance of the Director, Division of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development; the direct supervision of the responsible UNIDO Project Manager 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.
The Industrial Development Expert will support the successful implementation of the Better Cotton Programme in Egypt. The international expert will take an active lead in capacity-building and support activities of the Implementing Partners as well as partnership management. The Industrial Development Expert will also contribute to the development and delivery of training activities. She/he will be responsible to coordinate the execution of the BCI Assurance Programme in Egypt.
Under guidance from the Assurance Manager, the Industrial Development Expert will help coordinate seasonal Better Cotton Assurance Programme activities, and contribute to maintaining, enhancing and reviewing the Programme to ensure its coherence, credibility, and continual improvement. She/he will conduct internal monitoring of assurance implementation and facilitate external oversight activities.
The Industrial Development Expert will liaise with BCI Africa Operations Manager and will work closely with the other members of the BCI Global Implementation Team, and with members of the Standards & Assurance team.
Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:
IV. Core 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.
V. Minimum requirements and desirable criteria
Education:
Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in agricultural sciences, agricultural business, agribusiness management, environmental sciences, or another relevant discipline is required.
Experience, technical knowledge and functional expertise:
Language Skills:
Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required. Fluency or working knowledge of another official language of the United Nations is desirable.
NOTE: UNIDO professional level applicants are required to have served at least one year in their current post if applying for a higher-level position. However, the seniority-in-grade requirements for applying for higher-level positions, as per paragraphs 18 and 78 of the HRMF, have been waived.
UNIDO General Service applicants are required to be at least at the GS-5 level; to have served in their current position for at least two years; and to have served in UNIDO for at least five years.
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 careers site for details on how to apply: https://careers.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