Project Associate

PROJECT CONTEXT

Strengthening the capacity of China’s food inspection and testing bodies to improve trust for trade along the Belt and Road

A resilient quality infrastructure (QI) system in particular the component of inspection and testing bodies and their services are vital to support the achievement of the national strategy for sustainable development, as they are to verify compliance of products and services to quality standards and technical regulations. Inspection and testing bodies compliant with good practices embedded in national and international standards could provide trustable results and inform consumers of the quality of the products and services they purchased and consumed. Inspection and testing services in line with international standards also could facilitate mutual trust and recognition by foreign trade partners and therefore avoid duplicative inspection and testing and reduce trade costs. The project aims to promote international cooperation of the food inspection and testing service sector and build trust for trade between China and countries along the Belt and Road through strengthening capacity of Chinese food inspection and testing bodies against international standards and supporting technical exchange of the sector with their counterparts in countries along the Belt and Road.

The project will intervene in the following areas:

• Strengthen Capacity of food testing and inspection bodies and their regulators
• Realize technical exchanges on food inspection and testing, including proficiency testing
• Raise awareness on regulatory frameworks over the food inspection and testing sector in China and countries along the Belt and Road

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under the supervision of the Project Manager, and working with the project team, applies basic theoretical knowledge and administrative skills in supporting and in acquiring a broad understanding of the interrelated administrative and programme/project functions contributing to technical cooperation activities in a particular sector, geographical area or programme/project. The incumbent shall carry out following main duties.
• Compile general background information from readily available sources, on economic and social factors for an assigned sector, area, country or programme/project: design and draft supporting flow charts, schedules, graphs and tables; coordinate the collection and verification of documents, actions and data with substantive or support units, assemble and edit basic data required for planning and negotiation, in format dictated by agenda or supervisor’s instructions, check project documents for clarity, consistency and completeness;
• Describe progress of ongoing project/s, investigate designated project activities, discuss findings with supervisor to identify implications for the work of the project unit, discuss rationale and context of project activities, consider the alternative methods for project design, management, problem identification and problem resolution;
• Maintain institutional memories or other documentation systems to record project/programme, history and ongoing activities;
• Assist in monitoring exercises related to the project execution, retrieve substantive information on status of project, outcome, output, key performance indicators (KPIs), risks, etc. from the SAP Portfolio and Project Management (PPM) module;

Draft reports, ad-hoc assignments and research activities, as required;

• Arrange briefings, tours, and related activities for visitors, missions and fellowship holders.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in engineering, economics, business administration, international relations is required.
• Experience: At least one year of relevant professional experience in an international environment, particularly in project management. Exposure to the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries.
• Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and Chinese is required.

Source: https://careers.unido.org/job/Vienna-Project-Associate/987338655/