Regional Programme Manager, L4

UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization

Abuja, Nigeria

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 Directorate is responsible for the Division of Industrial Policy Advice and Capacity Development (TCS/IPC), and technical Divisions of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG), Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA), Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP); MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI). Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, TCS collaborates closely with IET to develop and implement programmes and projects, aiming at enhancing synergy and complementarity and maximizing UNIDO corporate performance and impacts on the ground. The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in all Directorates across the Organization.

The Division of MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME) works towards increasing the competitiveness of industries in developing countries and countries in transition, especially emphasizing business development of MSMEs engaged in manufacturing and creating jobs therein. It aims at increasing competitiveness among MSMEs in two interconnected ways: first, by modernizing businesses through the transfer of advanced technologies adapted to local conditions, product innovation, productivity improvement and upgrading, developing market and value chain readiness as well as improved access to finance; and second, by improving the quality of MSME manufactured products and their compliance with market requirements through capacity building for the development of industrial production and trade-related quality infrastructure including for standardization, metrology, accreditation and of conformity assessment service institutions (testing, certification, inspection and calibration) and the strengthening of their capacities.

At the L4 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver (a) work that is innovative and original; (b) in creating an enabling environment which expands across functions and sectors; and (c) in achieving results within Programme teams. The measure of success is systemic and catalytic delivery of results.

Functional Responsibilities

The Regional Programme Manager works under the overall guidance of the Chief, Division of MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation, the direct supervision of the UNIDO Industrial Development Officer responsible for the project (Lead Programme Manager), and in close collaboration with the UNIDO Industrial Development Expert and ITC Programme Coordinator of the ATCMA ECOWAS Programme. She/he is responsible for providing managerial and technical support to the smooth and timely execution of programme and be accountable for the achievement of programme results as/if assigned. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

PROJECT MANAGEMENT and IMPLEMENTATION:

Leads the Programme Management Unit (PMU) in Abuja, by ensuring smooth operation, coordination and effective performance of the programme interventions.
Provide leadership and strategic thinking to ensure that programme activities focus on critical areas for the attainment of the main objectives.
In collaboration with the UNIDO Industrial Development Expert and ITC Programme Coordinator, propose work plans and supervise the day-to-day implementation of programme interventions (expert missions, capacity-building, procurement) as well as the preparation of monthly, semi-annual and yearly ad-hoc programme reports.
Supervise, coordinate and evaluate the work of the programme staff, including regional technical coordination units, and consultants, and prepare progress and final project reports in a timely manner.
In collaboration with the Regional Monitoring and Evaluation expert, monitor and report on programme progress, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and regional/continental priorities.
In collaboration with the Regional Advocacy and Outreach expert, design and implement an appropriate visibility/marketing strategy and platform of the project.
Ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the financial, administrative, and technical management of the programme and ensure permanent support and general follow-up of project activities, in accordance with UNIDO and ITC rules and regulations.
Support other related duties and assignments as required by the project manager.

TECHNICAL ADVICE:

Provide technical support to the overall PMU and experts (UNIDO & ITC), project beneficiaries and involved institutions in appropriate domains of competence, mainly in the areas of trade competitiveness and market access.
Coordinate, prepare and conduct all meetings and proceedings of the Programme Steering Committee (PSC) and Technical Steering Committee (TSC) Meetings and follow up on the implementation of decisions taken.
Guide and supervise capacity building of counterpart institutions to allow them to efficiently support project implementation. Participate and/or contribute in the policy discussions on substantive and operational aspects concerning the project in the relevant meetings or forums.

COORDINATION WITH PARTNER INSTITUTIONS AND DONOR:

Coordinate with regional stakeholders including national Governments, the ECOWAS and UEMOA Commissions and national Focal Points (from both public and private sectors) to ensure strong programme ownership, effective collaboration and the successful delivery of programme outcomes.
Ensure synergies with relevant programmes conducted by other organizations or institutions.
Assist in promoting dialogue and good practices in the focus areas of the programme among different stakeholders.
Assist the counterparts in providing project-related information as requested.

Minimum Organizational Requirements

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in economics, engineering, business management, international relations, or similar field relevant to UNIDO’s mandate, is required.

Experience:

A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in the areas of trade competitiveness and market access, including some at the international level, involving technical cooperation in developing countries, is required.
Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, is required.
Experience in all phases of the Project Cycle, is required.
Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, particulary the Sub-Saharan regions is desirable.
Experience in monitoring and evaluation of technical cooperation programmes is required.
Experience dealing with sustainable development challenges is desirable.
Experience with regional trade integration and value addition related projects is required.
Experience in managing and implementing multi-country/regional technical assistance projects is desirable.
Experience or working knowledge and theoretical understating of poverty reduction approaches, is desirable.
Experience with programmes funded by the EU and respective reporting to the donor is desirable.
Experience with UN system management tools and processes is desirable.