Title: National Technical Expert

 

​Requisition ID: 3693
Grade: SB4 – Local Professional (Junior & Mid Level)
Country: Cabo Verde
Duty Station: CVI – Other cities
Category: National Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Application deadline: 30-Apr-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.

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.

The Directorate houses the Divisions of Coordination and Integration Support (IET/CIS), Quality, Impact and Accountability (IET/QUA), Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR), Innovative Finance and International Financial Institutions (IET/IFI), Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST), Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), and Climate and Technology Partnerships (CTP).

The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions and relevant entities in the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO) and the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS).

Division of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR)

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 Division provides technical cooperation services to assist the modernization of agriculture and agro-industry, especially in less-developed countries, ensuring that enterprises add value to primary agricultural production, substitute the imports of food and other value-added agricultural products, and participate effectively in local, regional and global value chains. Where needed, it will develop infrastructure and agro-industrial parks and capacities for agro-industrialization, value addition, quality assurance and food safety.

It will also bring innovative approaches to Member States to fully benefit from carbon-neutral and biodiversity-enhancing agricultural and agro-industrial production and development opportunities in the green and blue bioeconomy.

Rural Development, Agro-industries and Industrial Parks Unit (IET/AGR/RAP)

The Rural Development, Agroindustries and Industrial Parks Unit (IET/AGR/RAP) 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.

PROJECT CONTEXT:

The project “Connecting blue economy actors: Generating employment, supporting livelihoods and mobilizing resources” is a UN Joint Program with FAO, UNIDO, UNDP and IOM with the funding of the Joint SDG Fund.

The project aims at unleashing the potential of the Blue Economy in Cabo Verde as an accelerator of the Sustainable Development Goals and an engine of socio-economic inclusion for the poor coastal communities in the island of Santiago, Cabo Verde, especially women and youth.

Its objectives are to increase the income of youth and women in the pilot coastal communities by improving their access to innovation, decent jobs, markets, services and finance; and to foster investments to finance blue economy income-generating projects, in particular impact and diaspora investments.

The project will bring together all the UN System knowledge and expertise, as well its capacity as a convening power to connect the different stakeholders of the blue economy, from poor coastal communities to international investors, from local private sector to relevant ministries and public agencies, and to provide the skills and equipment needed to enhance socioeconomic inclusion in a thriving, sustainable and just blue economy.

The capacities, equipment and networks installed will allow for: the emergence of new business models in pilot coastal communities, with a higher value added of ocean-based production; a better organization of value chains, including access to markets; and an improved access to credit and investment for producers and small businesses, leveraging new sources of finance such as impact investment and diaspora.

UNIDO is responsible for the implementation of output 1.2 “youth and women led business or business ideas are supported with incubation and elaboration of business plans” and output 1.3 “technical assistance to upgrade the production processes of the selected value chains is provided”.

Under the output 1.3, the Government of Cape Verde, through the Ministry of the Sea, selected the coastal community of Ribeira Barca (Santa Catarina, Santiago) to implement this program, enhancing the impact of other projects ongoing or already implemented by the Government.

In this sense, UNIDO, in conjunction with the General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and in partnership with FAO, carried out work missions in Ribeira da Barca with the Municipal Delegation and two Community Associations: Ribeira Barca Fishermen’s Association and the Association of Parents and Guardians of Ribeira Barca.

The creation of a Fishing Cooperative was identified as a priority activity. To ensure the capacity building of the new Cooperative, a consultant, at full time, will be hired to support the Governance Bodies to establish best management practices and facilitate capacity for the long-term.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

The National Technical Expert supports the implementation of the project under the supervision of UNIDO’s Project Manager in Vienna and Project Team Leader. His/her duties shall be performed in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of UNIDO and this Terms and Reference. Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks:

 

MAIN DUTIES	Concrete deliverables/outputs	Expected duration/ date	Location
Cooperative Management
Lead administrative and substantive activities to formalize a fishing-related cooperative at Ribeira Barca. Lead the preparation of a business plan for the financial sustainability of the cooperative.	– Cooperative officially established and registered. – Business plan elaborated and endorsed by the cooperative.	Continuous	Ribeira Barca
Provide hands-on training and mentoring to support compliance with bylaws and organization of general assemblies, as per national regulations pertaining to cooperatives	– Continuous raining provided to cooperative members to comply with bylaws.
Support the cooperative to organize Board of Directors meetings. Training on the proper taking of minutes and reporting	– Board meeting minutes elaborated and shared with cooperatives members.
Provide hands-on training and mentoring for cooperative leadership to elaborate and maintain a strategic management system (planning, monitoring and evaluation).	– Annual plan and budget prepared and submitted to the Board. – Monitoring tables defined and analysed (monthly).
Prepare a management structure and responsibilities for the elected cooperative management team. .	– A management structure is prepared and endorsed by the Board.
Provide hands-on training for respective cooperative members in aspects of cooperative operations, including but not limited to commercial, production, logistics, finance, and administration.	– Training provided on aspects of cooperative operations. Reports submitted to the Board and UNIDO PM.	Continuous	Ribeira Barca
Perform other duties at the request of the Project Manager or Team Leader.	– Duties performed.	Continuous	Ribeira Barca
Prepare End-of-Assignment report detailing activities carried out, challenges and recommendations.	– End-of-Assignment report	September 2024	Ribeira Barca

 

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, finance/accounting, business management, engineering, or other relevant discipline, is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• A minimum of three (3) years of practical experience in coordinating the business of small-scale enterprises is required.
• Knowledge/experience in finance, accounting and business administration is desirable.
• Knowledge of implementation of technical cooperation projects is desirable.
• Experience/proficiency in using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet, is required.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP software is desirable.

Languages:

Fluency in written and spoken English and Portuguese is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge in the local language Crioulo is an asset.

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: recruitment@unido.org