Only nationals and/or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are eligible to apply. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

VACANCY  ANNOUNCEMENT TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL

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

The Directorate of Digitalization, Technology and Agri-Business (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. The Directorate creates new and innovative technical cooperation deliverables in the areas of trade, investment, technology innovation and agro-industry and agri-business. The Directorate comprises the Department of Digitalization, Technology and Innovation (DTI) and the Department of Agri-Business (AGR). Responding to the growing demand for supporting inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in the era of the new industrial revolution, the Department of Digitalization, Technology and Innovation (DTA/DTI) leads the way in addressing opportunities, challenges and risks stemming from the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and its contribution to sustainable socio-economic progress. The Department is responsible for the strategic coordination of 4IR-related matters with designated focal points in other technical Departments and organizational entities of UNIDO, as appropriate. In consultation with public and private partners, DTI designs and implements holistic interventions that are tailored to specific country needs. The Department’s interventions actively identify and combine complementary services from across three Divisions, namely: - Innovation and Digitalization Division (DTA/DTI/IDD) - Investment and Technology Promotion Division (DTA/DTI/ITP) - Quality Infrastructure and Smart Production Division (DTA/DTI/QIS) This position is located in the Quality Infrastructure and Smart Production Division (DTA/DTI/QIS). The Quality Infrastructure and Smart Production Division (DTA/DTI/QIS) seeks to build national and regional quality infrastructure systems needed to provide internationally recognized services, including strengthening institutional capacities (i.e. metrology, standardization and accreditation); building conformity assessment capacities (testing, inspection, certification, calibration, etc.); supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to take advantage of new technologies and standards for smart production and thus participate in global value chains; trade facilitation and promoting quality awareness with the public sector, economic operators and consumers.

PROJECT CONTEXT UNIDO is implementing Preparatory Assistance (PA) funded by the Embassy of Sweden in Liberia to design a Programme aimed at contributing to the increase in income and employment opportunities in Liberia in selected agro-based value chains. The overall objective is to facilitate the development of inclusive and sustainable market systems in selected value chains, which effectively link smallholder farmers and agriculture-based Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to domestic, regional and/or global markets through clustering and with the aim to foster local value addition. The programme emanating from this PA is expected to contribute to Liberia’s economic diversification, green growth as well as poverty alleviation by generating income and decent employment, in particular for women and youth. The PA and subsequent Programme will be aligned to Liberia’s strategic development priorities as well as to Swedish cooperation strategy with Liberia and capitalize on the results and lessons of the Sida funded “Markets and value chains in agriculture” (GROW Liberia Programme, 2013-2021). The PA covers a 12 months’ period and will have the following expected Outcomes and Outputs: Outcome 1: Programme document prepared and validated in a participatory manner. - Output 1.1 Market System Analysis (MSA) and other assessments prepared - Output 1.2 Programme document finalized and validation workshop organized Outcome 2: Consolidation of selected GROW Liberia results in the cocoa and vegetables value chains. - Output 2.1: Action plan for consolidation of results in the Cocoa value chain implemented - Output 2.2: Action plan for consolidation of results in the Vegetable value chain implemented Core principles include the search for country ownership, effective synergies with related programmes, projects and initiatives, the pursuit of Market System Development (MSD) approach adapted to the local context, emphasis on local capacity building and results orientation. The programme will also address cross-cutting issues, among which gender equality and women economic empowerment, youth, environment and climate change. DUTY STATION. Monrovia, Liberia; with potential in-country missions. DURATION. Five (5) months (with possibility of extension)

Main Functions

Under the overall coordination of the Project Manager in the Quality Infrastructure and Smart Production Division (DTI/QIS) at UNIDO Headquarters in Vienna, the Senior National Expert is responsible for proper technical execution of interventions related to the vegetable VC as described below. 1. Technical Support: - In close coordination with UNIDO HQ and the respective national counterparts, prepare detailed planning of activities to be executed. This involves the preparation of activity charters (template to be provided by the UNIDO) for activities outlined in the VC workplan. - Review current support being given to agro-input dealers to determine the status quo of their activities in the vegetable value chain - Coordinate baseline study of input dealers and their clients - Supervise the establishment of demonstration fields in collaboration with input distributors implementing GAPs - Conduct baseline study and explore interest for introducing Greenhouse vegetable production in Liberia - Conduct survey on introducing Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) in vegetable production - In conjunction with Liberia International Christian College (LICC) and other partners conduct certificate course training and capacity building for vegetable farmers 2. Stakeholder Engagement: - Identify the agendas and workplans of government support entities and international organizations engaged in the VC to explore potential synergies. - Undertake roundtable discussion and promotional activities to trigger demand side for locally produced vegetables - Participate in stakeholders engagement and coordination aimed at improved policy environment to stimulate growth in the vegetables sector - Sensitize and raise awareness among relevant partners on requirement of Executive Order (EO) on input waiver on agro-inputs 3. Reporting and Other: - Support international consultants who will be working with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and other relevant partners in designing next program phase - Provide technical inputs and data to project reports as requested - Prepare the final report on the tasks described in this Terms of Reference. - Undertake any other tasks related to the project as specified by the project manager.

Core 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 Requirements

Education

Advanced university degree in economics, sciences or engineering or other relevant discipline with a specialization in agriculture or food safety management is required.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language, is desirable.

Computer Skills

Field of Expertise

• A minimum of 7 years’ practical experience in the field of Agriculture, development management, including experience at the national level involving technical cooperation in developing countries, is required. • Good general knowledge of issues related to Liberia agriculture and food value chains. • Good computer skills. • Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries is required.

<strong>This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal. </strong>