Title: National Project Coordinator for Palestine

​Requisition ID: 3908
Grade: SB5 – Local Professional (Mid-Level & Senior)
Country: State of Palestine
Duty Station: Ramallah
Category: National Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 12 months
Application deadline: 31 May 2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Only nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are considered eligible.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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 Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, oversees the Organization’s development of capacities for industrial development as well as industrial policy advice, statistics and research activities and the Organization’s normative contribution to Member States and global development community in achieving the SDGs. The Directorate also ensures the application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to Environment, Energy, SMEs, Competitiveness and Job creation, as well as Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute toward effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results and on realizing any potential for scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.

The Division of Circular Economy and Environmental Protection (TCS/CEP) contributes to greener and more circular industries and products by minimizing both resource use along value chains and the emission of pollutants to the environment. The Division promotes just transitions to circular economies, reduced release of pollutants into the environment and other green industrial and economic approaches to help Member States to grow economically while simultaneously addressing the three planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It does so by supporting resource efficiency increases in the manufacturing and use of products along value chains and during the life cycle of the product; by reducing or eliminating the emission of non-fuel-related greenhouse gas emissions; and by assisting in achieving the objectives of and compliance with multilateral environmental agreements. In doing so, its activities further improve competitiveness, as well as the development of and access to markets, particularly for SMEs. This contributes to climate-neutral, resilient, pollution-free industrial development, supporting co-existence that is in harmony with nature.

The Division acts as the focal point in UNIDO for various multilateral environmental agreements and multilateral co-operation in the field of the environment, including the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer; the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and emerging international, legally binding instruments such as the instrument to End Plastic Pollution; the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), and other partnerships such as the Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP), the Partnership for Action for Green Economy (PAGE), the Green Industry Platform (GIP) and other relevant international initiatives and conventions. The Division coordinates its advisory and service delivery with the services offered by other technical departments, and other relevant organizational entities of UNIDO.

This position is located under the Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency Unit (TCS/CEP/CER), which is responsible for supporting capacity development to scale up and mainstream the production of sustainable products and adoption of circular and resource-efficient, cleaner patterns of consumption and production along value chains, circular economy policies, programmes and practices, including circular business models that improve the profitability of industries while creating social and environmental benefits. In addition, it promotes nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches for inclusive and sustainable industrial development that support the co-existence of industries in harmony with nature. It facilitates the design of sustainable products made with fewer materials, with greater durability, reliability, reparability, reusability and recyclability, and supports the deployment of new business models that improve environmental performance.

PROJECT CONTEXT

The project entitled “Support for small and medium-sized enterprises’ transition towards a green and circular economy” (Project ID: 230143) is financed by the European Union through the Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) under the umbrella of the “Regional package on Green and Circular Economy – Green Forward”. The project will commence its inception phase in July 2024, and will be implemented over a period of four years.

The project’s overall objective is to create green jobs along targeted value chains, including to contribute to sustainable economic growth, decarbonized and climate resilient development, decent jobs creation, and a safer, healthier, and pollution-free environment. This action will be conducted in the eight countries of the Southern Mediterranean region previously supported by the SwitchMed II Programme (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia) plus Libya.

The project will build on the achievements of the SwitchMed II programme and will focus on two outputs. Under Output 1, resource efficient and circular business models will be demonstrated, and capacities thereon will be built, including on access to finance, through the development of industrial pilots. Under Output 2, resource efficiency and circular economy knowledge will be disseminated at educational, Technical and Vocational Education and Training and policy levels, including regionally, to support regional cooperation and capacity building.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager (PM) at UNIDO Headquarters (HQ) and in close cooperation with the Chief Technical Advisor, Sub-Regional Advisor and project team in the field and HQ, the National Project Coordinator will be responsible for the overall coordination/implementation, monitoring/evaluation and reporting of the project. Specifically, the National Project Coordinator will perform the following main duties:

1. Advise the Project Manager on preparing detailed work plan and budget, design monitoring and evaluation tool for the project activities.
2. Coordinate the execution of all activities leading to the successful implementation of the project in the country, including implementation, quality control and monitoring of all project activities in the country.
3. Liaise with government counterparts, provide regular updates, financial reports and troubleshoot problems as required.
4. Attend key meetings related to the project and act as the focal point of the project at national level.
5. Organize and conduct briefings and debriefings on projects for the country, sub regional aspects, resources and development towards maximizing project performance level.
6. Support the preparation of Terms of Reference (ToRs) for recruitment of international and national project consultants.
7. Supervise the work of the local project team assigned to work on the project and/or to perform ad-hoct activities.
8. Coordinate the preparation of terms of reference/technical specifications for procurement of goods and services, including designing of technical requirements, clarifications to relevant questions from bidders, preparation of evaluations, etc. ensuring compliance with UNIDO rules and regulations.
9. Take initiatives to enhance the success of the programme, including partnership opportunities with private sector.
10. Maintain close links with other private sector development initiatives to ensure a consistent and integrated approach.
11. Provide inputs for strategic advice on the elaboration of the operational planning and monitoring system for the project.
12. Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation for the activities of the project using appropriate tools with output verifiable indicators.
13. Execute the administrative and financial monitoring of the project and its activities.
14. Coordinate the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reporting for the programme according to donor specifications and UNIDO requirements.
15. Lead the coordination and preparation of Steering Committee meetings (SCs) and provide relevant documentation, including reporting, drafting TORs of the Steering Committee based on UNIDO templates and if required, act as Secretary of the PSC.
16. Maintain networks and partnerships with national institutions, private sector, UN project partners.
17. Coordinate the dissemination of project knowledge to the wider public by proposing examples of best practices and success stories, as well as replicable strategies and approaches.
18. Prepare a final report at the end of the contract.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in industrial or environmental engineering, international development, or business administration, with a specialization in strategic management, industrial sustainability or related topics, is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least seven (7) years of professional experience in coordinating the implementation of development/technical cooperation programmes/projects at national level, is required.
• Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems of the country or similar country in the region is required.
• Experience in tracking progress against logical framework indicators, taking corrective actions if needed and reporting indicator values according to donor requirements, is required.
• Experience/knowledge of the UNIDO Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (TEST) methodology is desirable.
• Experience/knowledge of other development agencies donor communities, private sectors, government and relevant institutions in the country, or similar country in the region is desirable.

Languages:

Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required.

REQUIRED 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.

This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal.
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 website for details on how to apply: www.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: [email protected]