Associate Programme Expert

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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.

• Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all relevant organizational entities within UNIDO, 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.
• Under the supervision of the Managing Director of the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), the Division of Regional Bureaus and Field Offices (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, upon guidance of GLO/FLS, 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 American and the Caribbean (GLO/RFO/LAC).
• The position is located under the Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC Bureau). The LAC Bureau is responsible for determining regional strategies and programmatic priorities for UNIDO's services, and ensuring that UNIDO responds to the specific needs and requirements of Member States in the LAC region.
• At the L2 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver: (a) work that is analytical in contributing to results achieved by the Division; (b) in creating an enabling environment for collaborative work which is catalytic to achieving results; (c) in building relationships which contributes to counterparts' engagement and (d) in achieving results that provide baselines for a service. The measure of success is timely, consistent and appropriate delivery of results.
• The UNIDO Staff Performance Management System reinforces the collaboration within formal units as well as among cross-functional teams. In this context, the incumbent collaborates with his/her supervisor and colleagues, within as well as outside the unit. Within the formal teams, the incumbent may be expected to backstop other team members as required.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• The Associate Programme Expert works under the overall guidance of the Director, Division of Regional Bureaus and Field Offices; the direct supervision of the LAC Bureau Chief and in close collaboration with the colleagues to support the mandate of the Division.
• She/he will be responsible for providing technical support to the smooth and timely execution of projects and be accountable for the achievement of project results as/if assigned. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Assist in identifying, developing and promoting technical cooperation programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) with governments and other partners;
• Assist in the coordination of the on-going UNIDO projects in the region, participate in meetings as requested and provide whenever necessary briefing and other support;
• Undertake research, collect and analyze information on various macro-economic indicators and prepare analytical reports, in close cooperation with the involved UNIDO technical divisions as well as with the national experts and counterparts of the relevant countries;
• Provide support in the implementation of UNIDO's LAC strategy and the strategy on middle-income countries;
• Support the design and implementation of the UNIDO Country Programmes, by ensuring effective communication with involved UNIDO technical division, national experts and relevant stakeholders; elaborating, assessing and consolidating strategic analyses; and preparing presentations and periodic activity reports;
• Support the organization of regional workshops related to UNIDO's LAC priorities and SDG 9 implementation;
• Organize meetings and facilitate interaction among national and regional counterparts and partner institutions, including Permanent Missions of Member States and particularly GRULAC (Group of Latin America and Caribbean Countries), with a view to strengthening relationships with stakeholders;
• Liaise with UNIDO Field Offices in LAC to follow up on agreed activities and to enable a constant flow of information on UNIDO's field operations and regional activities;
• Assist in monitoring programme/project implementation and prepare regular reports on the status of technical cooperation, including best practices, successful stories, and lessons learnt;
• Support advocacy, communication and global forum activities related to the region and aimed at strengthening public relations, including the preparation of promotional materials, organization of media events, dissemination of information on the project activities through UNIDO/project website and network of UNIDO offices.
• Support the Director General and senior management in organizing missions to the Latin America and the Caribbean region and meetings with representatives of the respective countries.
• Perform other related duties and assignments as required.

Minimum requirements and desirable criteria

Education:

Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in economics, international relations, business administration or in a closely related field is required.

Experience, technical knowledge and functional expertise:

• A minimum of three (3) years of professional experience, including some at the international level, in project cycle management or coordination, is required.
• Experience evaluating needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, and in technical cooperation projects in Latin America and the Caribbean is required.
• Experience/knowledge of development agencies, donor communities, private sectors, government and relevant financing institutions is desirable.
• Previous exposure to the working mechanisms of the United Nations System and familiarity with the international development agenda (Sustainable Development Goals) is desirable.

Language Skills:

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

Source:

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