Date: Industrial Development Expert

​Requisition ID: 5016
Grade: L4
Country: Italy
Duty Station: Rome
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: 102,380 USD
Application Deadline: 14-Jan-2025, 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/

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 Division of ITPOs and Institutional Partnerships (GLO/ITP) will link UNIDO’s Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs) with international corporate partners and use the ITP network to forge, in collaboration with IET/PPP and GLO/FLS, partnerships with development partners. It will engage in match-making and partnership development at corporate, institutional and political levels to support developing countries and countries with economies in transition in becoming attractive investment locations resulting in increased levels of investments and, through investors and partners that the ITPOs bring to the table, engage in technology exchange partnerships that enable them to adopt new technologies for sustainable industrial development.

The Industrial Development Expert is under the direct supervision of the Head of ITPO Italy GLO/ITP/Italy and overall guidance of the Managing Director of GLO.

The Senior Industrial Development Expert is expected to deliver:

(a) work that contains in-depth analyses contributing to results achieved by the Department;

(b) in creating an enabling environment for team work which is catalytic to achieving results;

(c) in building relationships which contributes to partnerships resulting in strategic collaborations and

(d) in achieving results within a professional team.

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 team in the office/country as well as in the region and in headquarters.

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.

Project Context

The main purpose of the project is to contribute to the industrial development and economic growth of developing countries and countries with economies in transition by identifying and mobilizing the technical, financial, managerial, and other resources from Italy for the implementation of industrial investment and technology partnerships for the benefit of these countries.

The project will respond to demands rising in sectors such as agro-food, leather and footwear, textiles and clothing, as well as energy and environment, where Italian industry excels. Geographical priority will be given to least developing countries. In providing this technical assistance, ITPO Italy will apply, in close cooperation with UNIDO Headquarters, the best practices developed by SMEs in Italy to overcome size constraints, namely districts, clusters and consortia.

The objective will also be pursued through the sensitization of Italian business partners to developing country investment and technology transfer opportunities, as well as through training and capacity-building of institutional partners in developing countries, hence complementing the efforts of national Italian organizations involved in financial or technical cooperation between Italian industries and foreign partners.

Responsibilities

The Senior Industrial Development Officer and Deputy Head works under the overall guidance of the Director, GLO/ITP; the direct supervision of the Head of UNIDO ITPO Italy 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:

Programme Development

• Support and coordinate the conceptualization, development, and formulation of technical cooperation projects/programmes in investment promotion. Ensure alignment with UNIDO guidelines and secure internal approval. Assist the Head in defining the Office’s Work Program.
• Provides operational support and supervision to the efficient running of the daily operations of ITPO Italy, ensuring that assigned inputs and outputs are delivered on time at the right level of quality and within the allocated budget;
• Conceptualizes, manages and monitors investment and technology promotion activities of ITPO Italy in the assigned area. This entails the preparation of necessary inputs (consultant job descriptions, terms of reference, concept notes, etc.) and the coordination of consultants and external service providers

Programme Implementation

• Collaborate directly with internal partners, programme countries and other strategic partners, to design, develop, formulate, implement and assess ITPO’s activities, and act as a mobiliser of resources to strengthen capacities in selected developing countries to attract investments and to foster the reception of technology.
• Implement and monitor project activities, ensuring high-quality, timely, and budget-compliant delivery. Contribute to the strategic vision of UNIDO ITPO Italy.
• Act as the Deputy Head in daily operations and during the Head’s absence. Supervise staff and consultants as required.
• Lead in providing advisory services to enterprises, particularly SMEs, on various forms of industrial cooperation, including joint ventures, leasing, sub-contracting, licensing, and partnerships with Developing Countries.
• Design and conduct twinning exchange programmes, trainings, and workshops for skills upgrading and enterprise development in collaboration with universities and the private sector.
• Support the use of UNIDO’s electronic tools like the Computer Model for Feasibility Analyses and Reporting (COMFAR), ensuring accurate project viability analyses.
• Strengthen Enterprise Development Units (EDUs) in developing countries to offer business development services to SMEs and potential entrepreneurs.
• Prepare the annual work program, annual report, ad-hoc reports, technical papers, and other inputs for seminars, conferences, and expert group meetings as required by the ITPO Italy Head.

Project External Relations

• Coordinate and support the office’s core investment and technology promotion activities. This involves:
• Assisting official visitors from developed, developing, and transitioning economies to establish connections with potential partners in Italy.
• Preparing an inventory of Italian enterprises interested in technology transfer or investment in developing countries.
• Screening partnership opportunities in developing countries identified by UNIDO headquarters and other sources.
• Identifying potential Italian partners for these opportunities, especially those needing technology and/or financing from Italy.
• Disseminating information on partnership opportunities to potential partners in Italy.
• Assisting Italian entrepreneurs in establishing contacts with project sponsors in developing countries.
• Managing external relations by maintaining close relationships with all stakeholders, including government institutions, international entities, local donor institutions, international financial institutions, regional development banks, the private sector, civil society, and academia, to foster collaborations and synergies.

Liaison and Cooperation Management

• Maintain a constant flow of information with the Division of ITPOs and Institutional Partnerships (GLO/ITP) for reporting and communication purposes. Ensure timely provision of ITPO Italy’s inputs for the preparation of advocacy, promotional, and informational materials (brochures, reports, websites) by GLO/ITP.

Funds Mobilization

• In line with the guidelines and procedures governing the technical cooperation activities of UNIDO and UNIDO ITPO Italy, 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.

Global Forum Function

• Design, plan and organize in cooperation with other units in-house UNIDO global forum activities (conferences, seminars, expert group meetings, etc.). Prepare technical papers or other inputs for external seminars, conferences, expert group meetings, etc. In addition, the incumbent should be able to:
• Contribute to the strategic thinking on the vision of the UNIDO ITPO Italy and the ITP network, through participation in oversight meetings in the field and at headquarters, i.e. Global Forum, meetings, workshops and events.
• Advises and supports the ITPO Italy Head in developing synergies and networking with other ITPOs and UNIDO services in order to achieve more outputs and more impact, as well as in keeping regular communication with UNIDO Headquarters, plus, in relevant occasions, UNIDO field offices;
• Contributes to UNIDO’s global forum activities (conferences, seminars, expert group meetings, workshops, exhibitions) by managing substantive support, with the guidance of the ITPO Head.
• Support advocacy, communication and global forum activities related to the programme/project and aimed at strengthening public relations, including the preparation of promotional materials, organization of media events, dissemination of information on the project activities.

Advisory Services to Counterparts

• Provide substantive advisory services to interested parties regarding the various forms of industrial cooperation, such as joint ventures, leasing, sub-contracting, licensing, limited partnerships, and any form of transfer of resources to and from Developing Countries.

Responsibilities delegated by the Head of UNIDO ITPO Italy

• Represent the Head of ITPO Italy in his/her function as Deputy Head in the daily operations of the ITPO Italy and during absences of the Head in particular.
• Supervise ITPO Italy team as required by the ITPO Italy Head.
• Carry-out the day-to-day project management activities and provide technical inputs as required for the implementation of UNIDO’s deliverables and outputs of the programmes.
• Support the ITPO Head in ensuring inter-sectoral and inter-institutional coherence of activities and programmes and to support the Head in elevating the profile of UNIDO and ITPO Italy.
• Represent ITPO Italy Head at conferences, official functions and ceremonial and other occasions.

• Perform other related duties and assignments as required.

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.

Minimum requirements and desirable criteria

Education

Advanced university degree in economics, international relations, engineering or in a closely related field with specialization in international markets is required.

Experience, technical knowledge and functional expertise

• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in industrial development and/or economic cooperation with developing countries is required.
• Experience in TC project cycle, including conceptualization, development, and formulation of technical cooperation projects/programs in developing countries.
• Proven experience in formulating, preparing, evaluating, and promoting industrial investment projects and technology transfer; as well as to facilitate international partnerships to enable the exchange of know-how and best practice, is required.
• Experience in manufacturing processes, import-export management skills, as well as the establishment of international partnerships to facilitate the exchange of knowledge for the development of green and digital entrepreneurship is desirable.
• Experience in evaluating needs, conditions, and problems in developing countries, as well as experience in technical cooperation projects in Latin America, Middle East, Sub Saharan Africa, and Asia is desirable.
• Experience in networking business and investment opportunities in these countries is desirable

Language Skills

• Fluency in written and oral English is required.
• Fluency or working knowledge of another official language of the United Nations,particularly Spanish and Italian is desirable.

NOTE:

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