Representative and Director, Regional Hub at United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

Job Title: Representative and Director, Regional Hub

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 Field Offices fall under the overall responsibility of the Division of Regional Bureaus and Field Coordination (GLO/RFO), of the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO). The Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for UNIDO’s relations with Member States and all external partners, including through the policymaking organs. It plays a central role for interaction and collaboration with traditional and non-traditional donors; oversees the regional bureaus as well as the network of established field offices, liaison offices and Investment and Technology Promotion Offices; and supports the implementation of particularly complex projects, programmes and special assignments, thus also fulfilling an important role in safeguarding their quality and the reputation of the Organization.

The Division of Regional Bureaus and Field Coordination (GLO/RFO) coordinates the field representation and interventions of UNIDO in Member States and regions. Within this context, the Division is responsible for determining programmatic priorities for UNIDO’s services and ensuring that UNIDO responds to the specific needs and requirements of Member States and development partners at the country and regional levels. It facilitates the development of regional strategies, country programmes (including Programmes for Country Partnership – PCPs) and monitors their implementation. The Division encompasses all the UNIDO field offices and the five Regional Bureaus: Africa (GLO/RFO/AFR), also hosting the IDDA III Secretariat; the Arab Region (GLO/RFO/ARB); Asia and the Pacific (GLO/RFO/ASP); Europe and Central Asia (GLO/RFO/EUR); and Latin America and the Caribbean (GLO/RFO/LAC).

The Field Offices are responsible for representing UNIDO in their countries/regions of coverage and for maintaining close relations with all relevant stakeholders. They are responsible for identifying development. priorities and donors’ thematic and funding priorities in the countries/regions of coverage, and for supporting, and/or leading when requested, the formulation, implementation and monitoring of technical cooperation projects and programmes, including the Programmes for Country Partnership (PCPs) and the Country Programmes (CPs). The Field Offices are also responsible for coordinating and reporting on UNIDO’s activities in their countries/region of coverage, and for leading/contributing to the development of regional strategies and policies to ensure the strategic and programmatic consistency of UNIDO’s work.

The Field Offices also cooperate with and contribute to the joint work of the UN System at country level, through collaboration with the United Nations Resident Coordinator Offices (UNRCs) and United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) and the participation in Common Country Assessments (CCAs) and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs).

The UNIDO Regional Hub, headed by the UNIDO Representative in Nigeria covers the UNIDO Programmes in Nigeria and countries of coverage. The UR is responsible for representing UNIDO in the host country and countries of coverage as well as in relevant regional intergovernmental institutions, to promote the Organization as an effective partner for development, and to maintain close contacts with local stakeholders at the country level as appropriate, including government institutions and international entities.

The UR works under the policy direction of the Director General, the Managing Director of the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), the overall guidance of the Director, Division of Regional Bureaus, and Field Offices (GLO/RFO), and under the direct supervision of the Chief, Africa Regional Bureau. The UR is expected to: (a) contribute to results achieved by the UNIDO in the host country and countries of coverage; (b) manage relationships of the Organization with key stakeholders of industrial development with a view to achieving results; (c) build partnerships which result in strategic collaborations and (d) coordinate the cooperation from different thematic areas of UNIDO to address country needs in an integral manner.

The UR shall collaborate and support UNCT members in the countries of coverage to drive joint results in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.

The UNIDO Staff Performance Appraisal and management System reinforces the collaboration within formal units as well as among cross-functional teams. In this context, the incumbent collaborates with his/her team and colleagues, in the country as well as in the region and in headquarters.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Director General and in this context all staff are expected to serve in any assignment and duty station as determined by the needs of the Organization.

II Main Responsibilities

Specific roles and responsibilities of the UNIDO Representative (UR) are to lead the UNIDO Field Office in line with the terms of reference for Field Offices . Key aspects of the UR responsibilities include: Representation, communication and engagement with Governments and partners

•  Represent UNIDO at the country/regional level as appropriate and maintain close relations with stakeholders and development partners to promote the Organization’s mandate of inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) and serve as the principal conduit for communication for all strategic and programmatic operations.
•  Identify and assess local needs and donor priorities to enable an effective alignment of UNIDO’s resource

mobilization and partnership development.

•  Ensure the alignment of UNIDO initiatives to national strategies and development plans, donor priorities and

UNSDCFs.

•  Work closely with the UNRC and the UNCT and ensure the integration of ISID, in close contact with relevant entities, into the work of the UNDS, including into the CCA and the UNSDCF, as well as in joint programmes.

Delivery of technical assistance

•  Continuously monitor and analyze the industrial performance of the countries/region of coverage, including preparing

and updating country/region and industry profiles, in cooperation with the Division of Capacity Development,

Industrial Policy Advice and Statistics (TCS/CPS).

•  Contribute, support, and/or lead as required, the development and implementation of UNIDO’s regional/country

grouping strategies, including for least developed countries, middle-income countries and Small Island Developing

States, among others.

•  Promote, contribute to, and/or lead as required, the implementation of projects/programmes (including the

Programmes for Country Partnership and the Country Programmes), which normally involve: project identification, preparation of project concept, appraisal, preparation of detailed project documents, project approval and start-up, project supervision, project completion, monitoring and evaluation;

•  Carry out selected technical cooperation activities, including acting as the Executing Entity for projects, upon approval by the Office of the Managing Director of GLO; and for Global Environment Facility projects, following approval in line with DGB/2022/19.

Monitoring and reporting

•  Monitor UNIDO’s activities, including through field visits, and draw/share lessons to ensure a coherent and systematic approach to UNIDO’s service delivery.
•  Prepare and submit annual business plans, and annual reports to the respective Regional Bureau for the countries/region of coverage.

Resource management

•  Manage the financial and human resources of the Field Office and ensure compliance with requirements related to the security and safety of employees and their eligible dependents, as well as the protection of UNIDO assets, property, and information.

Additional roles of Regional Offices

•  Coordinate with UNIDO Headquarters, programmatic and technical guidance that support common and trans-border emerging priorities related to ISID.
•  Provide support to Country Offices in the region.
•  Contribute to the development and implementation of, as requested, regional or sub-regional strategies, programmes

and projects.

III Core Values and 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.

Managerial and Leadership Competencies

WE ARE STRATEGIC, DECISIVE, PRINCIPLED AND INSPIRATIONAL: As managers, we are strategic and fair in driving our team’s performance. As leaders, we are a source of inspiration, stand for norms and standards established in the UN Charter and duty bound to defend these ideals with a principled approach.

WE ARE INCLUSIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE: As managers, we are inclusive in our approach and maintain constructive engagement with all our stakeholders. As leaders, we embrace all personnel and stakeholders and are accountable mutually within UNIDO, within the system, to beneficiaries and the public and beyond.

WE ARE MULTI-DIMENSIONAL AND TRANSFORMATIONAL: As managers, we go beyond conventional methods to help our organizational units strengthen their own agility and adaptability to change. As leaders in the UN system, we have a vision, which is integrated and engaged across the pillars of Peace and Security, Human Rights and Development.

WE ARE COLLABORATIVE AND CO-CREATIVE: As managers, we foster a team spirit and create meaningful opportunities to hear the voices of those around us, while realizing that only by working together can we accomplish our mission. As leaders, we see the inter-dependency of imperatives of the UN Charter and personally champion a collaborative inter-agency, multi-stakeholders and cross-thinking approach.

IV Minimum Organizational Requirements

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in areas such economics, business administration, international relations, public administration, or other relevant field with specialization in development economics, is required.

Experience : A minimum of twelve (12) years of progressively responsible professional work experience, including at international level (outside o own country) in the field of economic development, involving, technical cooperation at senior level, is required.

Experience in evaluating, the needs, conditions and problems of developing countries is required.

Experience in supervising/managing both technical and non-technical teams in aspects of the project cycle (project formulation, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation) is required.

Experience in representational functions (outside own country) and experience in the UN system are required.

Experience in working with intergovernmental bodies, leading with results on strategic partnerships, resource mobilization is desirable.

Language skills:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of another or other languages of the United Nations (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is desirable.

Application Instructions:

The application deadline is on 6 November 2024. Therefore, qualified and interested candidates can “CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION” It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply successfully for this vacancy.

Website:

Official Job Website: https://careers.unido.org/