Title: International Policy Expert

​​Requisition ID: 3969
Grade: ISA-Principal Specialist
Country: Home Based
Duty Station: Home Based
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: External
Employment Type: Non-staff WAE
Contract Duration: approx. 63 working days over a period
Application Deadline: 19-Jun-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
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 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

One of the priorities of the ACP countries is to stimulate economic growth beyond the natural resource sectors through diversification, generating higher added value by moving up the value chains in productive activities, and enhancing linkages between sectors in the economy. This requires local industry not only to be able to meet international standards, technical regulations and other market requirements, but also to be able to DEMONSTRATE to export partners that they meet these requirements. For such an initiative to upgrade local industry to be successful it is essential, therefore, that it is coupled with an articulated technical assistance programme aimed at enhancing the capacity and governance of the various regions’ quality infrastructure institutions, and specifically their associated quality systems and conformity assessment services.

The Project entrusted to UNIDO represents the meso-level component of a larger Programme “Supporting business-friendly and inclusive national and regional policies, strengthening productive capabilities and value chains” which is funded by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (Delegation Agreement FED/2018/403- 924).

The project component “Supporting quality and regulatory infrastructure, value chain-specific quality infrastructure services and quality culture promotion in the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States” will contribute to the overarching objectives of the Project, namely to increase the economic and social impact from ACP participation in the multi-lateral trading system. This will be achieved through increased competitiveness of SMEs and their products on local, regional and international markets, increased ACP consumer safety, and increased contribution of OACPS to the operation of the multi-lateral trading system.

This specific project component is designed to contribute to the overall programme objective by achieving four key outputs:

1. Enhancing regional quality and regulatory infrastructure (Q&RI) governance
2. Strengthening the availability of value chain specific quality infrastructure (QI) Services
3. Promoting Quality Culture and Practices
4. Improving the investment-related business environment/climate through quality systems and conformity assessment

PACIFIC CONTEXT

One the activities proposed to achieve the result 1 cited above, is the development of a regional quality policy for the Pacific that will guide the development of the Regional Quality Infrastructure and facilitate the development of harmonized and sustainable National Quality Infrastructure in Forum Island Countries (FICs). The development to the Pacific Islands Quality Policy (PIQP) will be guided by the principles and process that is documented in UNIDO’s Quality Policy publications.

This activity aims to provide the shared forethought and clear strategic direction required for focusing and appropriately combining the efforts of the national and regional Quality Infrastructure institutions in addressing identified development, trade, and other needs, while also ensuring appropriate separation of organizational, regulatory and voluntary roles and associated responsibilities. The development of the Pacific Islands Quality Policy (PIQP) is led regionally by the PIFS through the PQI Initiative. UNIDO as the implementing entity of the ACP QI Programme will execute this activity with support from PIFS and the PQI Initiative.

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Manager and the Chief Technical Advisor of the ACP QI Programme, the direct technical coordination of the UNIDO Regional Quality Infrastructure Expert, and in collaboration with PIFS Regional Quality Infrastructure Coordinator, the international expert will work closely will perform the duties outline in the table below. The international expert will also work through the National QI Focal Points for activities at the national level in order to ensure knowledge transfer to the regional resources as well as ownership and leadership by the Pacific.

The International Expert will fulfil the following duties:

MAIN DUTIES

1. Define the Strategic Objectives and Context

1.1 Conduct preparatory work to include review of PQI reports, stakeholder and situational analyses.

Host inception meetings with UNIDO, PIFS/PQI Initiative and the Pacific QI Focal Points

1.2 Facilitate face-to-face activity including:

1. workshop with National QI Focal Points on developing the PIQP, and

b. strategic planning to inform the PIQP.

1.3 Coordinate & mentor the national stakeholder consultations to be led by the National QI Focal Points.

2. Draft the Pacific Islands Quality Policy

2.1 Prepare the first draft Pacific Islands Quality Policy informed by the above steps.

2.2 Resolve comments by PIFS, PQI Initiative, UNIDO and National QI Focal Points.

Prepare Second Draft Pacific Islands Quality Policy.

2.3 Coordinate the hosting of national stakeholder consultations and the collection and disposal of comments.

Prepare the Third Draft Pacific Islands Quality Policy.

2.4 Resolve public comments. Prepare Final Draft Pacific Islands Quality Policy.

2.5 Support a regional validation of the final draft of the PIQP workshop.

2.6 Submit a close out report covering all activities and including recommendations for further action.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree in Natural Sciences, Applied Sciences, Engineering, Economics, International Trade, Law, Business Studies or other relevant discipline with a specialization in quality management systems.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years practical experience in the field of quality infrastructure development, including specific experience in the area of policy and governance of QI, and conformity assessment in support of trade and private sector development in developing countries.
• Proven competence & achievement record and special knowledge of Quality Policy development is required.
• Understanding of the needs, conditions and problems related to QI development in developing countries is required.
• Good organization and priority management skills are required.
• Previous working experience in the Pacific is considered as an asset.
• Proven experience in overcoming deadlocks and difficulties in the implementation of complex projects is desirable.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with groups of diverse individuals are desirable.
• Knowledge and experience of work with UN constituents and knowledge of UN procedures would be an asset.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language, particularly French 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]