Technical Support Intern – Global Quality and Standards Programme

​​Requisition ID: 3502 
Grade: Intern
Category: Internship
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Country: Colombia
Duty Station: Bogota  
Entry Date: As soon as possible
Internship Duration: 3-6 months
Application Deadline: 30-Nov-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)

Vacancy Announcement
 

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 to enhance synergy and complementarity and maximize 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 Division of MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME) works towards increasing the competitiveness of industries in developing countries and countries in transition, especially emphasizing the business development of MSMEs engaged in manufacturing and creating jobs therein. It aims at increasing competitiveness among MSMEs in two interconnected ways: first, by modernizing businesses through the transfer of advanced technologies adapted to local conditions, product innovation, productivity improvement and upgrading, developing market and value chain readiness as well as improved access to finance; and second, by improving the quality of MSME manufactured products and their compliance with market requirements through capacity building for the development of industrial production and trade-related quality infrastructure including for standardization, metrology, accreditation and of conformity assessment service institutions (testing, certification, inspection and calibration) and the strengthening of their capacities.

This position is located in the UNIDO Field Office in Bogota, Colombia, 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 MSME participation in regional and global value chains; strengthening institutional quality infrastructure capacities; building conformity assessment capacities; and supporting market access and quality awareness with the public sector, economic operators and consumers, placing a special emphasis on capacitating MSMEs.

Project Context

To consolidate UNIDO/SECO interventions on trade standards compliance within one tool, adding the benefit of a global component facilitating synergies and enhancing coherence among the interventions, UNIDO and SECO have developed a coherent programmatic approach: the Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP). The GQSP supports selected countries in aligning the demand for and supply of quality services required to prove and verify the quality of products. It will have two components (1) Global Knowledge Management (C1) and (2) Country Projects.

The project “Strengthening of quality and standards in the phytotherapeutic value chain” is the second phase of the GQSP country project in Colombia. The initial phase took place between 2019 and 2023, while this ongoing phase covers from 2023 to 2027. The overarching objective is to promote Colombia’s integration into subnational, regional, and multilateral trade systems by strengthening the National Quality Subsystem (SICAL by its acronym in Spanish) within the priorities of the phytotherapeutic value chain and will seek to increase and improve the capacities of MSMEs to comply with technical requirements, international quality standards, private and sustainability standards necessary for trade facilitation. The project includes three complementary outcomes that are aligned to the Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP), to be implemented over three to four years according to the modular approach introduced for the second phase of the programme:

Outcome 1: The technical competence of the SICAL National Quality Subsystem and its sustainability are improved in areas applicable to the phytotherapeutic value chain to foster access to new markets and increase its competitiveness.

Outcome 2: The capacity of MSMEs, enterprises or other productive units in the phytotherapeutic products value chain to comply with technical requirements, international quality standards, and private and sustainability standards is improved.

Outcome 3: Quality culture in Colombia is promoted to improve national quality and economic competitiveness.

GENERIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Intern shall be engaged as follows:

1. Exposed to the regular core functions of the Division and as such shall have the opportunity to observe the day-to-day operations and engage in on-the-job training in specific actions delegated by the Supervisor.
2. Engaged in a specific self-contained assignment described below:

• Support in the development of documents, guides, or tools for regulatory compliance by actors in the phytotherapeutic value chain.
• Conduct literature reviews to document acceptance criteria and processes for the inclusion and/or updating of medicinal plants in international reference lists.
• Assist in the comparative analysis of the results from literature reviews and current Colombian regulations on the registration of phytotherapeutic products.
• Support in the preparation of a methodological proposal to consolidate a dossier for the subsequent evaluation of scientific evidence on the efficacy and safety of phytotherapeutic products by the health authority, according to the categories established in Colombian regulation.
• Assist in the development of technical inputs and instruments (literature searches, templates, checklists, etc.) for evaluating the efficacy and safety of medicinal plants and phytotherapeutic products.
• Participate in technical discussions with relevant public and private stakeholders for the update of regulations and evaluation of phytotherapeutic products.
• Support in the logistics and preparation of reports for training sessions in GQSP Colombia events for MSMEs, laboratories, and/or institutions.
• Assist in organizing, preparing reports, and documenting the required technical meetings.
• Other activities suggested by the GQSP Colombia team

1. Prepare an end-of-internship report to be submitted to and cleared by UNIDO Internship Coordination.
2. Other special emerging projects that may enhance the learning experience of the Intern.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Age: Minimum 20 years on the first day of the internship.

Education: Enrolled in a university degree program; or begin the internship within one year of completing a university degree or have completed a university degree and be sponsored as part of an academic or development program.

Field of specialization: Pharmacy or related.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken Spanish is required. The ability to comprehend technical information in English is necessary, while fluency in written and spoken English is desirable.

Other skills:

• Communication skills: Proficient in written and verbal communication.
• Adaptability and Proactivity: Demonstrates adaptability and proactivity in dynamic work environments, taking initiative to drive positive outcomes.
• Research and Analytical Skills: Proficient in conducting thorough research and analyzing data to support decision-making and program evaluation.

CORE 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.

LEARNING ELEMENTS

• Become acquainted with the most up-to-date technical, economic, and industrial developments in the relevant field of specialization of the Division. Furthermore, he/she is expected to deepen his/her knowledge in the fields of new product/services and process design.
• Be part of the implementation of a challenging project that provides opportunities to broaden one’s portfolio and enhance skills within a collaborative professional setting.
• Gain experience in project communication activities.
• On the job training: participation in every phase of the working process.
• Gain experience in working effectively in a diverse and multi-cultural environment.

Note: The duration of an internship at UNIDO is between three to six months, is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work under the supervision of a staff member, in the department or office that they are assigned to. Interns shall cover all costs associated with their internship, including visas, travel to and from the duty station, insurance, transportation, accommodation, and living expenses if applicable

UNIDO Interns are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity at all times, both at work and outside. Only candidates who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for internships at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted through the UNIDO Online Recruitment System.
Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process.

Visit the UNIDO employment website for details on how to apply: www.careers.unido.org

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: [email protected]