Project Assistant

PROJECT CONTEXT

More than ever food security, food supply shortages, related distribution challenges and required transformation of food systems towards enhanced resilience and sustainability are on the spotlight of the global development agenda. Due to the global poly-crisis that the world is facing – the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of climate change, conflicts and economic downturn – the prospect for food security is gloomy.

With the underlying principle of the interdependence of food security and food safety, and in response to the challenge, the EU has identified ‘enhancing and preserving natural resources for sustainable growth’ and ‘promoting decent jobs and economic growth’ as priority area #1 and #2, respectively, in its multi-annual indicative programme for Liberia for the period 2021 – 2027.

Against the above, this food safety project has been designed within the framework of the progamme ‘From productivity to product, linking peers to peers (P2P)’, which aims at boosting safe and sustainable food systems growth for enhanced food and nutrition security, a programme that was signed between the EU and the GoL in June 2023 within the EU-Liberia Development Partnership for 2021-2027.

In line with the priorities as reflected in relevant national primary legislation, this project aims at boosting trade in and safe consumption of locally produced food by enhancing food safety practices and compliance along selected value chains (i.e. rice, fish, cassava, cocoa & coffee). It comprises a holistic range of food safety related interventions at macro, meso and micro level with a strong demand-driven approach.

Below outcomes and outputs were reconfirmed in intensive national stakeholder consultations that included representatives of relevant line Ministries, Consumer and Producer Associations, staff from the Liberian Standards Authority and its National Standards Lab, relevant UN Agencies, other complementary ongoing UNIDO projects and the EU.

Outcome 1 (MACRO level) – Enhanced efficiency of the national food control system based on an upgrade of the country’s regulatory framework and its food standard-setting functions, including through reinforcement with a voluntary national third-party food safety assurance programme.

• Output 1.1 – Recommendations towards enhanced food safety regulatory oversight submitted for the selected value chains in the form of an actionable upgrading roadmap to all concerned Ministries, Authorities and Committees for endorsement and implementation.
• Output 1.2 – Strengthened regulatory framework and operations, in particular in regard to food risk-based inspection services being rendered in the country, and enhanced food standard-setting functions as relevant for the selected value chains.

Outcome 2 (MESO level) – In line with the requirements of a voluntary national third-party food safety assurance scheme, the enabling institutional environment of Liberia`s food system is conducive to boost the competitiveness of primary producers and processors and to enhance overall consumer protection along the selected value and supply chains.

• Output 2.1. – Based on relevant CODEX standards (e.g. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Principles), a basic, modular and voluntary national third-party food safety assurance scheme is developed, along with customised add-ons for the selected value chains and local ownership secured.
• Output 2.2 – National food safety-related testing and certification services strengthened along the selected value chains towards an efficient implementation of the developed voluntary national 3rd party food safety assurance scheme (see output 2.1), and in line with international standard requirements.
• Output 2.3 – The educational system in the country has been strengthened and upgraded as to facilitate in the long-term national capacity-building in the area of food safety in general, and in particular addressing the need for qualified food safety practitioners, capacitated to efficiently implement the developed scheme.

Outcome 3 (MICRO level) – Primary producers, processors and other relevant value chain actors actively pursue compliance with the developed voluntary national 3rd party food safety scheme (see outcome 2), or even advanced market requirements, and hence benefit from increased competitiveness and market connectivity, and overall advanced national food safety culture leading to enhanced demand for and supply of safe food in Liberia.

• Output 3.1. – Primary producers, processors and relevant value chain actors upgraded towards compliance with the voluntary national 3rdparty food safety assurance scheme, or advanced market requirements, as per clearly identified market needs and potentials.
• Output 3.2 – Enhanced food safety culture and increased awareness on safe food handling practices by consumers, primary producers, food and agri-businesses and national marketplace actors (i.e. restaurants, retailers, markets, street food sellers, hotels, etc.).

At the G5 level the incumbent is expected to perform independent and specialized processes focusing on consistent service delivery and support services within the organizational environment and team.  His/her interventions result in process consistency.

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.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

 Under the supervision of the First Reporting Officer, the Project / Office Assistant provides support in the development and administration of technical cooperation programmes and projects as well as clerical and administrative support and is responsible for the following key functions:

Draft routine and non-routine correspondence (both on administrative and/or TC-related matters); and put them into adequate style, language and format; proofread documents and edit texts for accuracy, grammar, punctuation and style in accordance with standard practices and in compliance with the UNIDO Correspondence Manual.

 Assist in the preparation of papers and presentations by extracting/summarizing statistics; undertake computer based searches, compile background information to assist in project identification and formulation.

 Initiate exercises related to the implementation of project (e.g.: budget revisions, obligation reviews, re- phasing, extension or completion of project, issuance of new project allotment documents/due sub-allotments, TC allocations and monitoring related exercises, or other administrative functions as per the specific specialization of the job family). Interpret or consult to clarify the application of new financial procedures and rules, UNIDO Administrative Instructions, policies and Regulations and Rules, TC guidelines and other instructions. Keep track of project budget expenditures; recommend and initiate budget revisions; complete justification for budget revisions; provide information and draw the supervisor’s attention to problems encountered. Retrieve substantive information on administrative matters and/or TC projects from the SAP modules which have been designed to support results-based management.

• Conduct verification of financial documentation and financial transactions received from the field, conducting.
• Support the Programme Manager and CTA in monitoring project implementation, providing regular updates and reports.
• Using SAP, initiate and follow up on actions related to recruitment of staff, experts, training and study tours, purchase of equipment, payments, travel authorizations requests/claims and deal with all related inquiries.
• Process training requests, coordinating with the training department and external providers as needed.
• Perform all administrative tasks such as arrangements for meetings and other events, reservations, budget follow-up, research for information and reference material. Prepare requests/documents, e.g. requisitions, purchase orders, travel requests/authorizations, expenditure authorizations, visa applications, etc.
• Assist with the verification of compliance of administrative actions with UNIDO internal procedures and EU eligibility rules.
• Maintain records for EU verification exercises, ensuring all documentation is readily available and compliant with regulations.
• Coordinate with internal and external auditors as needed.
• Carry out ad-hoc assignments and research activities, as required.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND DESIRABLE CRITERIA

• Education: Completed higher secondary education (high school diploma or equivalent), is required. Formal administrative/secretarial/clerical training or equivalent, is desirable.
• Credit towards total working experience may be considered on a year by-year- basis, up to maximum of four years, for a higher degree education (including first university degree or equivalent diploma and/or master’s degree), in a relevant field to the post.

Technical and Functional Experience

• A minimum of eight (8) years of working experience in providing support to managerial/professional staff and using administrative skills to assist in the execution of project and programme development and implementation of work, is required.
• Experience in office procedures and practices, preferably within the UN system or in a multicultural environment, is required.
• Experience with EU-funded programmes and with UNIDO rules and regulations is an asset.
• Experience/proficiency in using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet, is required.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP software is required.

Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Source: https://careers.unido.org/job/Vienna-Project-Assistant/975852155/