Job Description

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, 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 in the next decade. 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.

This position is located under the Directorate of Digitalization, Technology and Agri-Business (DTA). DTA coordinates and mainstreams the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in its technical cooperation, strategic, normative activities aiming at fostering the inclusive and sustainable development in the era of 4IR. It creates new and innovative technical cooperation deliverables in the areas of trade, investment, technology innovation and agro-industry and agri-business.

The Department of Agri-Business (DTA/AGR) provides a range of technical cooperation services to assist developing countries add value to the output of their agricultural sector and generate employment opportunities in off-farm activities for rural communities, thereby contributing to increased food security and a sustainable reduction of poverty. The department provides support for the development of agri-business corridors in developing countries in collaboration with International Financial Institutions.

The position is located in the Sustainable Food Systems Division (DTA/AGR/SFS). SFS promotes ISID through the promotion of food systems that deliver food and nutrition security without compromising economic, social, and environmental bases to generate food security and nutrition for future generations. The Division is responsible for identifying, developing and managing programmes to improve the competitiveness of the food and agribusiness sectors through access to support services, finance, markets and trade opportunities. In response to global trends and alley Member States request, UNIDO through (DTA/AGR/SFS) is placing an emphasis on nutrition and qualitative aspects of food processing as a critical element of food security, and innovative adaptation to climate change as a means of strengthening the resilience of smallholder farmers.

PROJECT CONTEXT:

The Government of Ethiopia (GoE) has prioritized the development of Integrated Agro-Industrial Parks (IAIPs) and interlinked

Rural Transformation Centers (RTCs) as key vehicles for the structural transformation of their economy. The transformation will be driven by the development of the Ethiopian agricultural production system from its current fragmented and supply- driven practices, to one that is organized and based on quality and demand. Such a change will boost agro-processing and will help create employment and stimulate a shift in investment and human resources from agriculture to agro-industries. To this end, The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has since 2011, been supporting the GoE in developing four pilot IAIPs in the regions of Amhara, Tigray, SNNP and Oromia, regions, which are currently in the final stage of construction and becoming operational.

An important feature that IAIPs and RTCs facilitate is the inclusion of local businesses allied to agro-industry. The value chain approach facilitates the integration of farmer’s cooperatives, which supply the agricultural products to agro-processors in the IAIPs and RTCs. The geographical approach facilitates the integration of MSME around the RTCs and the IAIPs that provides intermediate goods and services (logistics, packaging, cold chain, transportation). Strengthening these backward linkages is key to ensuring local economic growth, increased farmers sustainable income and off-farm employment.

Through the PCP Ethiopia, the GoE has mobilized several development partners and funding mechanisms to support the development of the four pilot IAIPs and UNIDO is a technical implementation partner in some of these including:

•  The EU-funded Promotion of Sustainable Ethiopian Agro-industrial Development (PROSEAD) aims at providing a substantial contribution to the IAIP development in areas like park-related infrastructure, value chain development, access to finance and building the capacity of the workforce. UNIDO is responsible for the overall coordination of PROSEAD and other interventions related to the IAIP programme in the country.
•  The AfDB is also funding the Integrated Agro-Industrial Parks Support Project IAIP-SP where UNIDO is responsible for the capacity development component of the project which contributes to the broader PROSEAD initiative and addresses aspects of park-related infrastructure development, capacity building of public institutions and food safety.
• The Special Initiative (SI) on Training and Job Creation is an initiative of the German government in response to youth unemployment challenges in Africa. Its goal is to create jobs for young people by promoting sustainable investment and private sector development. UNIDO is collaborating with the German government in implementing the SI in Ethiopia and Senegal. In Ethiopia, the SI will focus on the IAIPs and RTC being piloted, in order to address unemployment, skills development challenges for youth and women, technology transfer and investment for Micro Small Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).

Main Functions

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager at UNIDO HQ and in close cooperation with the project team and other

relevant units at UNIDO Headquarters, the Amhara IAIP Coordinator and Monitoring Expert will perform the following tasks:

Coordination of the IAIP projects in Amhara region

Act as the UNIDO Focal Point for the Amhara region, coordinate the activities of the projects in the region and provide support to the Regional Industrial Park Development corporation in coordinating the development of the IAIP.

Develop and maintain relationships with various stakeholders and other initiatives on agricultural modernization/agro- industrial development, to coordinate their activities into the plans for the operations of the IAIP/RTC.

Provide support on data collection and studies on the requirements for the take-off and operation of the IAIP /RTCs (e.g. stakeholder mapping exercises; identification of potential number of farmers who will be engaged to supply raw material; labour from within the vicinity of the IAIP/RTC including from the displaced persons).

Compile and ensure the required technical documents for technical meetings, workshops, seminars or trainings are available and distributed.

In consultation with the CTA, identify training needs for the various components of the project.

Assure, at the national level, the implementation of the technical activities of the Programme.

Analyze relevant national or international consultants’ reports and follow-up implementation of recommendations for the region.

Ensure the technical supervision of the missions of national and international technical experts.

Identify synergies, develop and maintain technical relations with other implementing agencies of PROSEAD and the SI on Job creation projects in Ethiopia as well as other agro value chain development programmes in the country.

Operationalisation of RTCs and Jobs Creation in the ACPZs

Review the project documents, inception reports and prepare a detailed workplan of activities to be conducted in Amhara Region based on the project work plan and set milestones for the IAIP projects in Amhara region.

Develop draft terms of reference (ToR) and management models for the operationalization of the RTC/farmer/IAIP engagement in Amhara Region and define a set of criteria for the participation of and selection of farmers/beneficiaries.

Provide guidance to RIPDC and Gov (MOTI) in the selection of beneficiaries, participating industries, farmer groups and partners.

Organize and conduct a validation workshop for the adoption of ToRs/management models for the operationalization of the RTC/farmer/IAIP engagement in Amhara region.

Based on the inception report of the BMZ SI on Job creation project, develop TORs and operational agreements for the engagement of SME and youth in job creation activities in the region and which can be rolled out in the other three regions

In alignment with the BMZ SI on Job creation reporting framework, develop templates for the data collection on the KPIs for the project and coordinate the collection of data for Amhara and the other regions.

Monitoring Reporting

• Assume responsibility for collection of data in the region for monitoring and evaluation purposes and support the M&E expert in analysis, communicating and dissemination of the information.
• Contribute to the preparation and submission of annual reports for the projects.
• Prepare and submit monthly reports to update about the projects’ activities and the required action and or changes required in line with the approved project documents or approved by the PSC.
• Carry out project monitoring activities to project site according to schedule and evaluate progress against indicators.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the UNIDO Project Manager
• Carry out ad-hoc assignments for the counterpart in agreement with UNIDO • Carry out ad-hoc assignments for the counterpart in agreement with UNIDO/EU.

DURATION: 1 year (possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and funds availability)

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.

Type of Appointment: Individual Service Agreement

Employment Fraction: Non Staff-Regular 

Job Requirements

Education:

• Advanced university degree in Statistics, Economics, Agriculture Economics, Business or, Public Administration, Management or any other relevant subject related field.

UNIDO Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another United Nations language is desirable.
• Fluency and/or working knowledge of the local language is desirable.

Field of Expertise:

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in developing and implementing industrial development with particular emphasis and value chain development and M&E frameworks, including understanding of both national and sector level indicators, is required.
• Experience in training and in the practical application of monitoring and evaluation methodologies, is required;
• Experience in evaluating development projects, national programs and organizations, is required
• Experience in designing tools and strategies for data collection and monitoring of complex multi-stakeholders projects, is required;
• Experience working with government and development agencies including the United Nations agencies in Ethiopia or similar country in the region, is desirable..

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System

Visit the UNIDO web site for details on how to apply: www.unido.org

Application via https://recruitment.unido.org/

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

Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process.