Title: Industrial Development Expert

​Requisition ID: 4435
Grade: L3
Country: Sierra Leone
Duty Station: Freetown
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: 112,706 USD
Application Deadline: 10-Sep-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/

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 relevant organizational entities, the Directorate, 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 cooperation concepts, identifying new sources and means of innovative finance and entering into new partnerships with a broad range of relevant stakeholders.

The Directorate is responsible for the Divisions of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR), Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST), Climate and Technology Partnerships (IET/CTP), Innovative Finance and International Financial Institutions (IET/IFI), and Public-Private Partnerships (IET/PPP).

Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, IET collaborates closely with TCS 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.

Division of Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST)

Under the supervision of the Managing Director, Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), and in close coordination with other organizational entities, the Division develops and implements an innovative service package in response to UNIDO’s mandate for fair and responsible local industrial production and trade, with a particular focus on building the required skills and capacities, and foster a conducive business operating environment to ensure that such production and trade are inclusive, promoting – among others – the just adoption of sustainability standards and mandatory due diligence legislation as well as the development of human capital through vocational training and industrial skills development.

In collaboration with relevant organizational entities, the Division will conceptualize and negotiate services and raise funds from Member States, development partners, IFIs, and the private sector to coordinate their effective implementation and devise ways in which their implementation can be brought to scale.

This will include cross-cutting and sector-specific initiatives for sustainable supply/value chain and skills development in industrial sectors where UNIDO has, over the years, accumulated expertise. It will do so through close engagement with Member States, private sector associations, industrial enterprises, international quality, standards and trade-related governing bodies, other UN agencies, development partners, NGOs and consumer associations, ensuring solid and operational partnerships.

The position is located under the Skills Development, Entrepreneurship and Fair Production Unit (IET/PST/SEF), which supports Member States in integrating into the emerging global systems of fair and sustainable trade and supply chains. It aims to increase employability, strengthen access to decent employment, augment job retention, and increase access to qualified workforce by the industry, through modern technical and vocational education and training (TVET), professional education and entrepreneurship systems essential for driving sustainable transition.

Central to its mandate is the commitment to provide the skills required to enabling sustainable supply chain practices, ensuring resilience, particularly at the firm level, and addressing the challenges and opportunities arising from new due diligence regulations.

To this end, it provides specialized and country-tailored assistance to Member States to skill, upskill, and/or reskill their labour force and enhance their entrepreneurship capacity, it implements demand-driven educational approaches, leverages partnerships with the private sector and strengthens institutional and firm-level capacities that fortify sustainable supply chains, with emphasis on the most vulnerable. It places importance on mitigating unintended consequences stemming from due diligence regulations, ensuring that all actors, especially at firm-level, are equipped to navigate through these changes.

The Unit promotes innovation in learning, concepts and norms to augment the quality, relevance, attractiveness and accessibility of TVET for sustainable industrial employment and self-employment for the most vulnerable. The Unit also deploys foresight and planning instruments to guide Member States in developing industrial skills of future employees and respond to re-skilling and up-skilling requirements tailored for sustainable supply chains.

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.

2. Project/Programme Context

The Project for Promoting Youth Employment through Automotive Maintenance Skills Training” (SAP #: 200286)

Ranking 181st out of 189 countries and territories on the Human Development Index, Sierra Leone remains one of the poorest countries in the world. In a country where youth constitute a third of the population, youth unemployment and underemployment stands at a staggering 70%, with approximately 800,000 youths actively searching for employment daily.

In the automotive repair and maintenance service industry in Sierra Leone, expanding vehicle registrations and increasing vehicle imports point to its potential for growth and job creation. However, the industry struggles to find workers who meet the relevant auto mechanic skills requirements.

One of the root causes for this skills mismatch is the insufficient and defective technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, which does not correspond to the economic realities outside the school system. Trainings are more theoretical than practical, the knowledge imparted is often outdated and not transferable/relevant to the real-world working environment.

The 3 year-project (now 5 years after no-cost extension) aims to contribute to closing the skills gap in Sierra Leone’s automotive repair and maintenance service industry in order to support the country’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (NDP) 2019-2023 and to contribute to decent employment opportunities for youth in Sierra Leone.

This will be achieved by:

• Developing and accrediting competency-based and demand-driven modern curricula for automotive technician and entrepreneurship trainings
• Establishing a regional centre of excellence for automotive technician training,
• Providing vocational training, career services and business coaching to unemployed and underemployed youths

The Project for Promoting Youth Employment through Construction Equipment Operating Skills Training (SAP #: 200069)

Zambia faces significant socio-economic challenges and high levels of poverty. At the heart of these challenges is the lack of productive employment and income opportunities, with four-fifths of those living in poverty working (mainly) in subsistence agriculture. The work is mainly low productivity and low skills.

Studies have shown that higher levels of education provide access to better employment opportunities and higher income, but in Zambia, as in many African countries, the vocational education system faces significant challenges. Most of the population has not completed basic education, and internationally comparable assessments suggest that the quality of education is inadequate even for those who attend. Vocational training schools have had issues particularly with training students in the skills demanded by the labour market.

If the systems were improved, vocational training in Zambia could have positive externalities: a more skilled workforce would be more productive and more capable of innovation, encouraging sustainable economic growth.

To work towards this national priority, UNIDO partners with the Government Republic of Zambia (GRZ) through Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS) to establish a centre of excellence in heavy equipment operations.

The project aims to contribute to closing the skills gap in Zambia’s construction and mining industries to support the country’s eightieth National Development Plan (8NDP).

This will be achieved by:

• Developing and accrediting a competency-based and demand-driven modern curriculum for construction equipment operators and formalizing the workforce
• Establishing a regional centre of excellence for construction equipment operator training;
• Providing vocational training and career services to unemployed and underemployed youths, with a particular focus on female and disadvantaged students.

The project builds on UNIDO’s extensive experience in the design and implementation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), particularly in projects adopting the Public-Private Development Partnership (PPDP) modality. It foresees a partnership between the Government of Japan, the Government of Zambia, Hitachi Construction Machinery (HCM), and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in order to stimulate systemic change in the skills gap observed in the construction and mining sectors in Zambia.

3. Responsibilities

The Industrial Development Expert works under the overall guidance of the Chief, Division of Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST); the direct supervision of the Head of Unit, Skills Development, Entrepreneurship and Fair Production Unit (IET/PST/SEF) and in close collaboration with the colleagues to support the mandate of the Division. She/he will be responsible for leading project implementation from the field and providing technical support to the smooth and timely execution of projects and be accountable for the achievement of project results as assigned. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

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

• Coordinate the execution of projects, including:
  • 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.
• Participating in project-related meetings in the field and online and assisting the Evaluation Group in its evaluations of the projects.
• Coordinate project communication and knowledge management activities.

• Manage external relations by maintaining close relationships with all stakeholders involved in the projects, 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.
• Coordinate and participate in advocacy, communication and global forum activities related to the projects 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 websites and networks of UNIDO offices.
• In line with the guidelines and procedures governing the technical cooperation activities of UNIDO, conceptualize, develop and formulate technical cooperation projects, contribute to planning funds mobilization strategies and cooperate with other units in-house in mobilizing the funds necessary for follow up projects and programmes.
• Contribute to maintaining a healthy working environment where all viewpoints and experiences are welcomed and respected. Motivate and enhance team capacities through effective leadership, leveraging the diverse expertise within the Project Management Unit and short-term experts to foster a collaborative and high-performance work environment and drive successful project outcomes.
• Perform other related duties and assignments as required.

4. 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.

5. Minimum requirements and desirable criteria

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in economics, international relations, social sciences, engineering, business administration or in a closely related field is required.

Experience, technical knowledge and functional expertise:

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience, including in the field and some at the international level, in project execution or coordination, particularly in the areas of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is required. xperience evaluating needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, and especially in Sierra Leone is desirable.
• Experience working in partnership with the private sector is desirable.
• Experience working in the automotive and/or heavy equipment trades in TVET is desirable.

Language Skills:

Fluency in written and oral English 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