National Private Sector and SME Development Expert at United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

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 work towards improving living conditions in the world's poorest countries by drawing on its combined global resources and expertise. UNIDO's vision is a world where economic development is sustainable and economic progress is equitable.

UNIDO’s headquarters is based in Vienna, but operates worldwide, with a number of Regional Offices including one based in Abuja. The UNIDO Regional Office in Nigeria (RON) works closely with private and public sectors, the UN System and development partners in the delivery of the organization’s mandate.  The Organization’s technical assistance to member states focuses on three main thematic areas:

(a) Poverty reduction through productive activities;
(b) Trade capacity-building, and
(c) Energy and environment. Project - National Country Programme (120552)

Job Title: National Private Sector and SME Development Expert

Vacancy Announcement No: VA2014_ISA_EXT_000010
Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Description
The UNIDO Regional Office in Nigeria (RON) implements regional and country specific projects with technical support from the Headquarters. It is also developing Country Programmes in support of the industrial development aspirations of countries under coverage. In Nigeria, RON is implementing a Country Programme (CP) with projects in the three thematic priorities of the Organization in partnership with the Federal and State Governments through their Ministries, Departments and Agencies and the private sector. The Private sector development component of the CP focuses on activities to promote competitiveness of the manufacturing sector. Within this framework, focus is on strengthening the SMEs by specifically targeting development of industrial clusters in the non-food value chains, leather & leather goods, textile & garment, and the automotive sectors. Keeping in mind the significant potential contribution of SMEs towards employment generation, poverty reduction and wealth distribution and opportunities, the expert will collaborate with relevant partners and stakeholders to implement the private sector component of the CP for a competitive manufacturing sector and SME development.

Responsibilities

• The expert will promote private sector and SME development bearing in mind cross cutting issues of gender and youth.
• This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectancy of renewal.
• The expert will work within a multidisciplinary team under the direct supervision of the UNIDO Representative in Nigeria and in close cooperation with the relevant technical backstopping officers based at the UNIDO Headquarters in Vienna. Identify needs of, and proffering practical solutions to SME clusters for investment, technology transfer and trade facilitation in coordination with partner institutions;
• Develop and support the implementation of projects specifically targeting women and youth and serve as coordinator of all such activities;
• Identify new and innovative programming opportunities for the introduction and upscaling technologies in non-food processing, leather and leather goods, textile & apparel, automotive sectors, etc.;
• Build strategic partnership with private sector, development partners, governments and non-governmental institutions at Federal and State levels for programme development;
• Carry out analysis of the SMEs sector to identify weaknesses, strengths, prospects and propose recommendations;
• Review available literature including country reports, technical papers and participate in national and international forum to bring back cutting edge approaches to design new interventions/approaches to expand UNIDO reputation in Nigeria and internationally;
• Organize trainings/study tours to improve investment, entrepreneurship, access to finance and technology acquisition, etc. for SMEs and the organized private sector;
• Contribute to advocacy and communication of UNIDO project results and impact;
• Contribute to mobilizing resources from traditional and non-traditional donors, including the private sector and foundations;
• Provide periodic reports on the implementation of technical cooperation programmes including the Country Programme;
• Provide input in preparation of country reports particularly in the areas of SME and Private sector;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the UNIDO Representative in Nigeria.

Core Competencies

• Core values: integrity; professionalism; respect for diversity.
• Core competencies: results orientation and accountability; planning and organizing; communication and trust; team orientation;
• Client orientation
• Organizational development and innovation.

Requirements

• Education: University - Master's degree or equivalent, Economics - Business Administration, Political Science, Agricultural Economics
• UNIDO Languages: English (Fluent)
• Computer skills: E-mail (Fully proficient), Internet (Fully proficient), Spreadsheets (Fully proficient), Word processing (Fully proficient).
• Field of Expertise: Small/medium enterprise (5 years and more), the last 2 in senior position with practical experience in the field of Private sector and SME Development with expertise in project development, implementation and resource mobilization; experience in organizing training and workshops, including at the international level involving technical cooperation in developing countries.
• Exposure to the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries..
• 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.
• Only nationals and/or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are eligible to apply.
• Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

Application Closing Date
25th February, 2014

Method Of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply
All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependants, under the procedures established by the Director General.