National Value Chain Development Expert

National Value Chain Development Expert

​Requisition ID: 4562
Grade: SB4 – Local Professional (Junior & Mid Level)
Country: Nepal
Duty Station: Kathmandu
Category: National Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Non-staff Regular
Contract Duration: 6 months (with the possibility of extension)
Application deadline: 02-Oct-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)

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 position is located under the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS). Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all relevant organizational entities within UNIDO, the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, ensures the Organization’s application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to environment, energy, Micro, Small and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs), and digitalization. The Directorate also oversees the Organization’s normative contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through industrial policy advice and capacity development. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute to effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results, scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora. The Directorate is responsible for the Division of Industrial Policy Advice and Capacity Development (TCS/IPC), and technical Divisions of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG), Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA), Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP); MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI). Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, TCS collaborates closely with IET to develop and implement programmes and projects, aiming at enhancing synergy and complementarity and maximizing UNIDO corporate performance and impacts on the ground. The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in all Directorates across the Organization.

The position is specifically located under the Division of MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME). Under the supervision of the Managing Director of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), and in close coordination with other organizational entities within UNIDO, the Division of MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME) works towards increasing the competitiveness of industries in developing countries and countries in transition, especially emphasizing business development of MSMEs engaged in manufacturing and creating jobs therein. It aims at increasing competitiveness among MSMEs in two interconnected ways: first, by modernizing businesses through the transfer of advanced technologies adapted to local conditions, product innovation, productivity improvement and upgrading, developing market and value chain readiness as well as improved access to finance; and second, by improving the quality of MSME manufactured products and their compliance with market requirements through capacity building for the development of industrial production and trade-related quality infrastructure including for standardization, metrology, accreditation and of conformity assessment service institutions (testing, certification, inspection and calibration) and the strengthening of their capacities.

The Competitiveness, Quality and Compliance Unit (TCS/SME/CQC) builds national and regional production and quality infrastructure systems, with an emphasis on providing internationally recognized services, facilitating MSME participation in regional and global value chains; strengthening institutional quality infrastructure capacities; building conformity assessment capacities; and supporting market access and quality awareness with the public sector, economic operators and consumers, placing a special emphasis on capacitating MSMEs.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Global Market Access Programme Nepal (“GMAP Nepal”; project ID 210186)

• The Global Market Access Programme (GMAP, project ID 180025) aims to strengthen the quality and standards compliance capacity for selected Norad priority countries (i.e. Colombia, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Nepal) to facilitate market access for SMEs by working in emblematic sectors per country.
• The project in Nepal will follow the overall structure of the programmatic framework of the Global Market Access Programme:
• Overall objective (impact): Improved livelihood opportunities for small-scale beekeepers, MSMEs and honey processors in selected districts of Nepal through the sale of high-quality honeys.
  Specific objective: Enhanced market access for Nepalese honeys to the domestic as well as regional and international markets.
• In response to needs identified in the specific country context, the GMAP Nepal pursues three complimentary technical outcomes:
• Outcome 1: Enhanced technical competence and sustainability of the National Quality Infrastructure System. Institutional strengthening of key institutions and relevant public-private support institutions through capacity building (use of best practices, skills development, implementation of management systems, testing laboratories upgrading and equipment procurement) to ensure quality and international recognition of their services.
• Outcome 2: Enhanced MSMEs’ compliance with standards and technical regulations. Improvement of quality and compliance capacities through capacity building (including specialized training and advice) and preparation for certification, and strengthening of collaboration among value chain (VC) actors.
• Outcome 3: Strengthened culture for quality. Advocacy, upscaling of knowledge dissemination and awareness activities in the honey value chain, and support for any relevant policy development/informed policy decisions on standards compliance, as applicable.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Working under the Project Manager and under the direct supervision of the Technical Project Coordinator and close cooperation with the project team in the HQ and field locations, the Expert will be responsible for the performance of the following

MAIN DUTIES:

Project implementation

Onboarding and organizational socialization:

• Complete the relevant UNIDO e-trainings, including for specific SAP modules (e.g., financial reporting, travel, Open Text, etc.); partake in customized virtual training sessions;
• Attend local UNDSS-led induction security briefing session;
• Familiarization with key UNIDO documents and publications, incl. relevant chapters of the UNIDO Field Handbook;
• Familiarization with UNIDO in terms of in-house project support services, contact points, processes and procedures as well as relevant instructions and rules and regulations; adherence to the same at all times;
• Ensure adherence to corporate guidelines for visual identity and messaging;
• Act as official custodian of petty cash to be used for project implementation; spend funds and document expenditures in line with rules and regulations; ensure timely closure and renewal;
• Familiarization with GMAP visual identity and templates.

Coordination and planning advice:

• Jointly with the Technical Project Coordinator, provide technical advice to the Project Manager and HQ PMU and assist the Technical Project Coordinator with project implementation, and the preparation of a detailed annual work plan and budget, etc.;
• Familiarization with the country local partners (governments; donors; local authorities, other implementing agencies, etc.);
• Contribute to coordination and implementation of project activities related to the honey value chain, ensuring alignment with overall project goals and timelines;
• Contribute to monitoring and reporting on the progress of project activities, identifying and addressing any challenges or delays, including risks;
• Facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector entities, and development partners for the accomplishment of project activities.

Technical expertise and advisory services:

• Provide technical advice and support to honey producers, processors, and other value chain actors on best practices in honey production, processing, and quality assurance;
• Jointly with the Technical Project Coordinator, co-lead initiatives to enhance the technical competence of the honey value chain, including capacity building in quality control, in compliance with standards, and adoption of good beekeeping practices;
• Provide guidance on the development and/or adoption and implementation of traceability systems, residue monitoring plan and quality certification processes within the honey value chain;
• Collaborate with relevant national and international bodies to promote and adopt global best practices and standards in honey production and trade;
• Work closely with the National Technical Expert in Quality Infrastructure to strengthen the National Quality Infrastructure System (NQIS) as it pertains to honey production and trade;
• Advocate for and facilitate the adoption of relevant voluntary and mandatory standards for honey quality, including the development of national standards and promoting certifications.

Capacity building:

• Design and deliver/implement training programs for beekeepers, processors, and other stakeholders on modern beekeeping techniques, quality control, and compliance with relevant standards as well as on business management;
• Organize workshops, trainings, and other capacity-building activities aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of value chain actors;
• Promote connections and linkages along the value chain though knowledge sharing and the dissemination of best practices along the honey value chain. Prepare information, educational, and communication (IEC) materials.

Stakeholder engagement, representation and advocacy:

• Engage with key stakeholders, including government ministries, regulatory bodies, and industry associations and Business Support Organizations, to advocate for policies and regulations that support the growth and sustainability of the honey value chain;
• Build strategic partnerships for the project to leverage resources and expertise for the benefit of the Nepalese honey sector;
• Represent the project in national and international fora, as needed and decided, promoting the achievements and lessons learned in improving the honey value chain in Nepal; produce concise outcome documents fit for dissemination.

Miscellaneous:

• Work under the direct supervision of the Technical Project Coordinator, providing regular updates and seeking guidance as needed;
• Assist in the preparation of project reports, presentations, and other communications for internal and external audiences;
• Ensure that all activities are aligned with the strategic objectives of the project and contribute to the overall positive impact on the honey value chain;
• Facilitate communication between UNIDO project team and UNIDO international experts with Nepali-speaking stakeholders;
• Support informal translation from Nepali to English and vice versa of relevant documents, official communication, etc.
• Assist the Project Manager (PM) and Technical Project Coordinator (TPC) in completing the project-related tasks.

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.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in economics, agro-industrial development, industrial engineering, business administration, food science and technology, or other relevant disciplines with specialization in agri-value chain management/ beekeeping/ apiculture/ agri-/ food processing, is required.

Technical and functional experience:

At least three (3) years of professional experience in the implementation of technical cooperation/ development projects at national level is required.
Experience in capacity building and technical advisory roles, preferably in the agricultural or food processing sectors, is required.
Strong understanding of national and international standards related to honey production and trade is required.
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multi-stakeholder environment required.
Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems of the country or similar country in the regions is desirable.
Experience in working with government and development agencies including the United Nations agencies in the country or similar country in the region, is desirable.
Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity regarding gender issues in development projects desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of Hindi and/or Nepali is required.

Please note that the appointment is limited to the specified project(s) and does not carry any expectation of renewal. Any contract renewal will be contingent upon the achievement of performance objectives.

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