ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. Its mandate is to promote and accelerate sustainable industrial development in developing countries and economies in transition, and is to work towards improving living conditions in the world's poorest countries by drawing on its combined global resources, international and national expertise. This consultancy will be under the supervision of the Agro- Industries Technology Division (PTC/AGR/AIT) part of the Agribusiness Development Branch (PTC/AGR). This Division is responsible for technology aspects of agro-based industries in textile, leather, wood and agricultural mechanization systems. Emphasis is placed on the design and implementation of programmes serving sustainable development requirements of the agri-businesses and related industries, including its environmental needs to be developed by Governments, industries, private sector agencies, and NGOs targeting poor communities to become more resilient. Furthermore, this Division also provides technical support to enhance demand oriented vocational technical skills for employment creation and entrepreneurship for sustainable development.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Based on the results achieved so far by the on-going project TE/ETH/08/008 as well as on the action plans developed and validated by all the relevant stakeholders involved in sector, the Ethiopian Ministry of Industry (MoI) has officially requested to continue with the action plans implementation. Furthermore, the City of Addis Ababa MSEs development Office officially requested to support the cluster development implementation also throughout the support in terms of designing of new working areas for MSEs. 

The main objective of this present project is to increase the competitiveness and turnover of the Ethiopian MSEs working on leather footwear and products industry through the implementation of the action plans produced (and started to be implemented) by the on-going project. Following the methodology, the natural time for achieving a mature network of small production units supported by assisted by supporting services institutions is taking a range of time between 5 up to 7 years. For this reason, in order to achieve this objective the present project expects to continue to implement the action plans for developing the 3 selected MSEs networks in Addis Ababa (continuing to provide the selected networks with the necessary assistance in implementing the action plans prepared as well as to upgrade local capacities, both at institutional and private sector levels) and for continuing to provide backstopping support activities to the Ethiopian Regions.

DUTIES

Under this context and in direct supervision of the UNIDO Project Manager, the National Coordinator will contribute to the preparation of the following main activities, performed in collaboration with the Project Manager (HQ) and International Project Coordinator (based in Addis Ababa):

1. Responsible for developing and implementing the work plans for all the leather clusters and networks involved in the project (Kirkos, Merkato, Yeka);
2. National focal point for activities related to the Creative Hub: e.g. agreements with potential partners such us Universities, associations, etc
3. Outline and manage the capacity building initiatives offered to the beneficiaries with the project;

She/he will be expected to carry out the below duties/tasks:

Main Duties tasks

• Maintain the relationships and act as a focal point for the YEKA-Merkato-Kirkos clusters
• Responsible for organizing the data collection and make sure that all the required information is well presented according to the used tools:  database, newsletter, reports, etc.
• Organize all activities with Regional & Federal officials in the cluster areas: report to the supervisors using the appropriate reporting tools.
• Contribute to the realization and inauguration of the Creative Hub: preparatory phase and follow up. Act as the main national focal point for developing a clear strategy for the creative hub (e.g. identification of events and training initiatives).
• Represent UNIDO to national conferences or meetings for the establishment of the Creative Hub and improvement of the Cluster Development Approach;
• Supporting the PM and International Coordinator to develop the progress and final reports
• Facilitate and manage the involvement of strategic local institutional/private stakeholders involving them in project activities.
• Ensure coordination with LIDI and monitoring the performance of the EIFCCOS common production line and LOMI machineries
• Facilitate the involvement of the selected clusters in other initiatives developed by national or international stakeholders.
• Facilitate backward and forward linkages for the selected clusters. Support clusters networks in their participation in fairs and promotional events

Expected Outputs

• Newsletters and Reports.       
•  All leather clusters are performing according to the plans developed
• The Creative Hub is functional in all its parts/divisions: organigram, events, agreements, etc
• Updated information/data on the leather sector become available for cluster development.
• Core-problems and solutions are identified.
• Institutional setup for clusters development are identified.
• Establish and manage technical committees.
• Technology upgrading of the selected clusters performed with LIDI: EIFCCOS and LOMI

Duration

• 164 w/ds

Main Duty Station and location:

• Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with travel within the country to support the national experts

Start of Contract (EOD):

• 01 April 2020

End of Contract (COB):

• 23 November 2020

Number of Working days:

• 164 working days

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Advanced University degree in Economics, Development, Business Administration, or related field. In the absence of an advanced university degree, a first level degree with three years of relevant professional experience (in addition to the technical requirements set out below)

Technical and Functional Experience:

• A minimum of 3 year of practical experience in the field of SMEs development, with particular emphasis on cluster and value chain development. Familiarity with local institutions is an asset. Exposure to the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries; previous work experience in UN projects and Ability to use standard office equipment.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English as well as in Amharic is required. The knowledge of other Ethiopian languages is an asset. 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIE 

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.