UNIDO Country Representative

Requisition ID: 4314 
Grade : NOD 
Country: Mali 
Duty Station : Bamako 
Category: Professional and Higher 
Type of job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Staff-Full-time
Minimum Annual salary: 32,143,000 XOF 
Application deadline: 16-Aug-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST) 

Vacancy Announcement
Only nationals of the country of the duty station are eligible to apply. 
Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

ORAGNIZATIONAL 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 Departments/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

UNIDO provides support to its 172 Member States through four mandated functions: technical cooperation; action-oriented research and policy-advisory services; normative standards-related activities; and fostering partnerships for knowledge and technology transfer. The organization’s work is concentrated on three focus areas: ending hunger by helping businesses from farm to fork; stopping climate breakdown by using renewable energy and energy efficiency to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions; and supporting sustainable supply chains so that developing country producers get a fair deal and scarce resources are preserved. Such functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in Headquarters and in Field Offices. The Field Offices fall under the overall responsibility of the Division of Regional Bureaus and Field Coordination (GLO/RFO), of the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO).

The Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for UNIDO’s relations with Member States and all external partners, including through the policymaking organs. It plays a central role for interaction and collaboration with traditional and non-traditional donors; oversees the regional bureaus as well as the network of established field offices, liaison offices and Investment and Technology Promotion Offices; and supports the implementation of particularly complex projects, programmes and special assignments, thus also fulfilling an important role in safeguarding their quality and the reputation of the Organization.

The Division of Regional Bureaus and Field Coordination (GLO/RFO) coordinates the field representation and interventions of UNIDO in Member States and regions. Within this context, the Division is responsible for determining programmatic priorities for UNIDO’s services and ensuring that UNIDO responds to the specific needs and requirements of Member States and development partners at the country and regional levels. It facilitates the development of regional strategies, country programmes (including Programmes for Country Partnership – PCPs) and monitors their implementation. The Division encompasses all the UNIDO field offices and the five Regional Bureaus: Africa (GLO/RFO/AFR), also hosting the IDDA III Secretariat; the Arab Region (GLO/RFO/ARB); Asia and the Pacific (GLO/RFO/ASP); Europe and Central Asia (GLO/RFO/EUR); and Latin American and the Caribbean (GLO/RFO/LAC).

The Field Offices are responsible for representing UNIDO in their host country, countries of coverage, as applicable and for maintaining close relations with all relevant stakeholders. They are responsible for identifying development priorities and donors’ technical and funding priorities in the host country, countries of coverage, and for supporting, and/or leading when requested, the formulation, implementation and monitoring of technical cooperation projects and programmes, including the Programmes for Country Partnership (PCPs) and the Country Programmes (CPs). The Field Offices are also responsible for coordinating and reporting on UNIDO’s activities in their host country, countries of coverage, as applicable and for contributing to the development, operationalization and promotion of regional and sub-regional strategies and policies to ensure the strategic and programmatic consistency of UNIDO’s work, including of its cooperation with and contributions to the United Nations Resident Coordinator Offices (UNRCs)/United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs)/Common Country Assessments (CCAs)/United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs).

This position is located under the Regional Bureau for Africa (GLO/RFO/AFR), which is responsible for determining regional strategies and programmatic priorities for UNIDO’s services, and ensuring that UNIDO responds to the specific needs and requirements of Member States. The UNIDO Country Office (CO), headed by a senior national professional, shall be designated as the UNIDO Country Representative (UCR) in Mali. The CO covers the UNIDO Programmes in Mali and is responsible for representing UNIDO in the host country, to promote the Organization as an effective partner for development, and to maintain close contacts with local stakeholders at the country level as appropriate, including government institutions and international entities. 

The UCR works under the policy direction of the Director General and the Managing Director, Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), the overall guidance of the Director, Division of Regional Bureaus and Field Coordination (GLO/RFO), and under the direct supervision of the Head of Sub-Regional office in Nigeria and the Regional Bureau Africa. The UCR supervises the staff under his/her supervision (a) in work that is innovative; (b) in creating an enabling environment which is important to achieving results; (c) in building partnerships through advocacy and championing and (d) in achieving results which affect programme teams.

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 team and colleagues, in the country as well as in the region and in headquarters.

The UCR is locally recruited and is subject to the authority of the Director General and if required, may be expected to serve in any assignment and duty station as determined by the needs of the Organization.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Represent UNIDO in the host country and maintain close relations with the Government, stakeholders, development partners, donors and the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) as well as their office to promote the Organization’s mandate and serve as the main conduit for communication.
• Position UNIDO strategically within the host country to align UNIDO approaches with national development priorities.
• Represent UNIDO and play an active role in the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), including coordinating, monitoring and reporting on UNIDO’s contributions to the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). In addition, contribute and participate, as applicable, in the formulation of joint programmes and in joint fundraising activities with the expertise from the Organization’s TC functions.
• Contribute to the development, operationalization and promotion of regional and sub-regional strategies and approaches.
• Contribute to UNIDO’s work in any other country as required, in particular for South-South and triangular cooperation in close cooperation with the Regional Bureaus and SPP/SSC.
• Contribute to the substantive work in regional- and other cross-organizational teams with their expertise as resource person in countries other than the host country.
• Lead, as applicable, the development of country programming related documents such as UNSDCF, CCA, Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) or other documents upon request and in line with regional strategies and approaches.
• Identify and assess national industrial development trends and needs as well as donor priorities to support UNIDO’s resource mobilization and project and programme development cycle.
• Monitor industrial policy design and implementation in the host country in collaboration with SPP/IPS. 
• Contribute to and/or lead the identification, development, implementation and evaluation of TC activities.
• Monitor TC activities for programme results at the ground level and maintain oversight of all project personnel in the host country, in coordination with the respective project managers and SPP/SPM. 
• In coordination with project managers and upon request, undertake on-site project visits to monitor project and programme progress and to engage with donors and stakeholders.
• Manage the financial and human resources of the office, including in the context of the efficiency agenda of the UN reform; security and safety of personnel and their eligible dependents as well as the protection of UNIDO assets, property and information in host country. Prepare contingency plan in line with recommendations from the United Nations Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS) designated official, in collaboration with COR.
• Develop a results-oriented and gender mainstreamed yearly business plan, and periodically report on the progress of the business plan.
• Ensure UNIDO’s concise and timely reporting to UN INFO, with inputs from project managers and in coordination with IET/QUA to ensure consistency of country-level reporting of IRPF-based indicators.
• Support the organization of high-level missions to the country and UNIDO personnel on mission in the country as requested.
• Advocate and highlight the relevance and work of the Organization and ensure the dissemination of UNIDO communication and media content to governments and stakeholders in cooperation with the respective Sub-regional Office, Regional Bureau, and ODG/CCM.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Experience at the senior or team leader level in technical cooperation, including supervising project teams in aspects of the project cycle (project formulation, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation) is required.
• Experience in an international setting similar to the UN system and/or with government engagement is desirable.
• Prior experience in country programming, technical cooperation including resource mobilization in Mali and other countries in the region is desirable.

REQUIRED VALUES AND 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.

Managerial and Leadership Competencies

WE ARE STRATEGIC, DECISIVE, PRINCIPLED AND INSPIRATIONAL: As managers, we are strategic and fair in driving our team’s performance. As leaders, we are a source of inspiration, stand for norms and standards established in the UN Charter and duty bound to defend these ideals with a principled approach.

WE ARE INCLUSIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE: As managers, we are inclusive in our approach and maintain constructive engagement with all our stakeholders. As leaders, we embrace all personnel and stakeholders and are accountable mutually within UNIDO, within the system, to beneficiaries and the public and beyond.

WE ARE MULTI-DIMENSIONAL AND TRANSFORMATIONAL: As managers, we go beyond conventional methods to help our organizational units strengthen their own agility and adaptability to change. As leaders in the UN system, we have a vision, which is integrated and engaged across the pillars of Peace and Security, Human Rights and Development.

WE ARE COLLABORATIVE AND CO-CREATIVE: As managers, we foster a team spirit and create meaningful opportunities to hear the voices of those around us, while realizing that only by working together can we accomplish our mission. As leaders, we see the inter-dependency of imperatives of the UN Charter and personally champion a collaborative inter-agency, multi-stakeholders and cross-thinking approach.

NOTE: Eligible internal UNIDO applicants are required to have served at least one year in his or her current post, if applying for a higher level position.

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.

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 web site 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