Title: Team Assistant

​Requisition ID: 3918
Grade: SB2 – Local support
Country: Paraguay
Duty Station: Asuncion
Category: Local Support Personnel
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Non-staff Regular
Contract Duration: 5 months (with the possibility of extension)
Application deadline: 06-Jun-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 Directorate houses the technical Divisions of Capacity Development and Industrial Policy Advice (TCS/CAP); Circular Economy and Environmental Protection (TCS/CEP); Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy (TCS/DSE); SMEs, Competitiveness and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and AI Strategies (TCS/DAS). The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO) and the Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET).

This position is located 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 SME participation in regional and global value chains; strengthening institutional quality infrastructure capacities (i.e. standardization, metrology, and accreditation); building conformity assessment capacities (testing, inspection, certification, calibration, etc.); and supporting trade facilitation and quality awareness with the public sector, economic operators and consumers, placing a special emphasis on capacitating SMEs.

PROJECT CONTEXT tem/Overview/UNIDO Project Summary/Project Purpose>

The project “Support to the Improvement of MSME Competitiveness and Business Environment in Paraguay”, is an initiative financed by the European Union (EU). It aims to contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic growth and job creation, through the improvement of micro, small and medium enterprises’ (MSMEs) competitiveness and the business environment in Paraguay.

UNIDO role aims at strengthening the institutional capacity of the two Business Intermediary Organizations (BIOs), the Paraguayan Industrial Union (UIP – Unión Industrial Paraguaya) and the Federation of Production Cooperatives (FECOPROD – Federación de Cooperativas de Producción), to deliver high quality business development services to improve MSMEs’ competitiveness. A specific emphasis is given on technology and innovation services/ mechanisms, as well as on promoting the integration of MSMEs into larger value chains (VC).

The overall objective is the institutional strengthening of UIP and FECOPROD; and associated entities to improve and develop specialized business development services, promote technological development and innovation, and support a better articulation of MSMEs in global value chains.

The project has the following outputs:

• Output 1. Strengthening the institutional capacity of UIP and FECOPROD for the development of specialized business services;
• Output 2. Improving MSMEs’ access to technologies and promoting innovation processes;
• Output 3. Strengthen the capacity of institutions that provide services to MSMEs so that they can meet market requirements and better integrate into value chains.

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager at Headquarters and the International Project Coordinator, and working in close cooperation with the project team in both the field and the HQ, the Team Assistant shall fulfill the following tasks:

At the G3 level the incumbent is expected to perform general support processes focusing on basic service delivery or information exchange within the organizational environment and team. His/her interventions result in the contained process impact.

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 overall supervision of the Project Manager at Headquarters and the International Project Coordinator, working in close cooperation with the project team in both the field and the HQ, the Team Assistant shall fulfill the following key functions:

• Receive and record all incoming and outgoing correspondence and mail, keep track of pending matters, flagging deadlines and bringing urgent and important items to the attention of the supervisor.

• Respond to basic information requests and inquiries as necessary, as well as to refer queries to appropriate personnel for handling.

• Draft routine correspondence on the basis of instructions and in accordance with standard practices and in compliance with the UNIDO Correspondence Manual.

• Maintain the supervisor’s daily schedule of appointments. Assist in organizing the logistics for meetings and prepare the necessary background documents and agendas. Liaise with counterparts on attendance. Assist in the preparation of presentation material. Reserve meeting rooms and take notes at meetings, if required.

• Using SAP, when required, assist in making arrangements for travel, prepare travel authorizations, ensuring that visas, security clearances, vaccination certificates, Laissez-Passer etc. are valid and in order. Assist in completing back-to-office mission reports and claim forms.

• Perform general administrative tasks such as ordering office supplies, following up on budget queries, making various reservations as required, placing purchase requisitions, researching for information and reference material, organizing requests for formal editing, translation, layout, graphic design and arranging for printing services as well as the publication of documents, if and when necessary.

• Maintain an up-to-date filing system (both hard copy and electronic).

• 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 three (3) years of work experience in office procedures and practices, is required.
• Experience/proficiency in using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet, is required.
• Experience within the UN system or in a multicultural environment, is desirable.
• Experience in providing support to managerial/professional staff and using administrative skills, is desirable.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP software is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

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]