Title: International Technical Advisor

​​Requisition ID: 3676
Grade: ISA-Senior Specialist
Country: Republic of Moldova
Duty Station: Chisinau
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Non-staff Regular
Contract Duration: 1 year (with the possibility of extension)
Application Deadline: 17-Apr-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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 of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, oversees the Organization's development of capacities for industrial development as well as industrial policy advice, statistics and research activities and the Organization's normative contribution to Member States and global development community in achieving the SDGs. The Directorate also ensures the application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to Environment, Energy, SMEs, Competitiveness and Job creation, as well as Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute toward effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results and on realizing any potential for scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.

The Directorate houses the technical Divisions of Capacity Development and Industrial Policy Advice (TCS/CAP); Circular Economy and Environmental Protection (TCS/CEP); Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy (TCS/DSE); SMEs, Competitiveness and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and AI Strategies (TCS/DAS). The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO) and the Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET).

This position is located under the SME Development and Job Creation Unit (TCS/SME/SDJ) which supports small and medium manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) in Member States to take advantage of new technologies, business and organizational support, investment promotion, cluster development and partnerships to improve their businesses and improve their competitiveness.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Project SAP ID 220009: Improving the standards compliance through increased national capacities for residue monitoring (Joint financing EU/UNIDO)

The overall objective of this Action is to enhance national consumer safety and access to safe, healthy and nutritious food and to improve trade opportunities and create a conducive business environment for SMEs, thus contributing to resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economic development as well as paving the way to a fully-fledged Green Deal for the Republic of Moldova.

The specific objective of the Action is to increase national capacities for residue monitoring in animal feed and products of animal origin (pesticides, veterinary medicine, contaminants and prohibited substances).

The Action will pursue three technical Outcomes, thus responding to the limited capacity for residues monitoring and the main compliance challenges identified in the Republic of Moldova:

Outcome 1: Improved practices of competent authorities (ANSA and MAFI) through good governance and revamped legal and regulatory framework.

Institutional strengthening of the ANSA and MAFI through capacity building, use of best practices, skills development, and implementation of management systems.

Outcome 2: Improved practices of national reference laboratories through expanded testing capacities, demonstrating proof of compliance.

Strengthening the National reference laboratories through capacity building, use of best practices, skills development, procurement of additional laboratory equipment and implementation of management systems, accreditation, and validation of methods to ensure quality and international recognition of their services with a focus on pesticide and veterinary drug residues.

Outcome 3: SMEs and FBOs application of best practises in compliance with standards and technical regulations in the value chains of meat, poultry and milk products are enhanced.

Improving compliance capacity and awareness through specialised training and capacity building for SMEs and FBOs.

This Action is proposed in line with the European Green Deal and the Farm2Fork strategy and will directly contribute to the EU’s Annual Action Plan for 2021, in particular: Output 1.3: National capacities for residues monitoring in agri-food products increased

The Action will contribute to the accomplishment of the 2nd General Objective of the National Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy (SNDAR) 2023-2030 “Development of the food industry and diversification of markets”, and Food Security Strategy of the Republic of Moldova for 2023-2030.

The Action will promote SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production through its contribution to UNIDO Country Programme for Moldova 2019 – 2023 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) of the Republic of Moldova 2023-2027.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager (PM) and close cooperation with the project team in the HQs and field location, the International Technical Adviser will be responsible for the performance of the following main duties:

Main activities:

1. Provide strategic advice to MAFI and respective authorities in the implementation of reforms of legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks, including preparation of roadmaps, with concrete recommendations in line with the National Programme of Adoption of EU Acquis and within the project’s scope, including:

• Written reports on improving institutional efficiency and business climate
• Conduct a series of capacity-building and awareness-raising activities to strengthen the capacity of MAFI and respective authorities
• Ensure regular exchange and provide advice, based on project implementation experience and findings, on prioritization of legal approximation/transposition, revision and updating of Action plans for legal approximation and EU accession through meetings and written inputs

2. Supervise the group of project technical and legal experts working on the harmonization and capacity building of MAFI and ANSA in implementing EU regulations 2017/625: official control and 2016/429: animal health and its secondary legislation

3. In close cooperation with national and international food safety and other technical experts, provide expert advice and technical inputs to MAFI and ANSA in developing required policies, regulations and technical requirements for official controls in compliance with EU requirements, including:

• Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulation
• Design of traceability systems and implementation of traceability requirements
• Regulation on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin

4. In close cooperation with national and international food safety and other technical experts, provide technical advice and inputs to Sectorial and Business Association, BDS, academic institutions, SMEs, FBOs, etc., in the implementation of official control and self-control

5. Supervise the development of training materials and literature on Good Hygiene Practices, HACCP, official control principles and procedures, self-control, etc. for inspectors, SMEs, FBOs and other value chain actors

6. In close cooperation with International Quality Infrastructure and Food Expert, provide technical advice and inputs to ANSA on the NRMP development, implementation and corrective actions on the non-compliance

• Review of the NRMP-related documents and recent legal framework of Moldova and support with the formulation of NRMPs
• Review and adjust the SOPs for implementing the NRMP and revise, if applicable, the SOPs to support the objective of meeting compliance with the relevant EU requirements and guidelines
• Conduct a series of training for ANSA official inspectors who are involved in NRMP implementation

7. In close cooperation with the National Project Coordinator, contribute to project coordination and reporting, including:

• Contribute to the development of monthly progress, mid-term and final reports and other submissions to HQ, donor and Government counterparts
• Participate in key sector coordination and thematic group meetings convened by the Government, donor, development partners, value chain actors, etc., relevant to the project and provide technical inputs, where relevant/necessary
• Present the project, project progress and results to the Government, donor and other counterparts to keep them updated at regular intervals
• Provide advice for revision of the overall work plans and budget, technical papers, studies, etc.
• Provide technical advice and direction to the project team, implementing partners and relevant stakeholders on the specific technical objectives of the project
• Attend UNIDO project team meetings and provide technical inputs, where relevant/necessary

8. Contingency (Other tasks carried out in line with the assigned activities, in close consultations with the National Project Coordinator and approval of the PM)

9. Prepare and submit for approval to the PM a final report.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Chemistry, Agro-industries, Food Technology, Food Science, Veterinary medicine or related discipline is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in the field of quality infrastructure and/or establishing food safety systems in line with the EU requirements, including experience at the international level in technical cooperation, is required.
• Experience in the approximation process of the national legislation with the EU acquis with a particular focus on food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy and its implementation (Enlargement chapter 12) is required.
• Experience in developing and implementing National Residue Monitoring Plans and similar mechanisms in the EU Member States and/or EU candidate countries is required.
• Experience in working with the UN system, international organizations or non-governmental organizations and with the donors' community, is desirable.
• Experience/knowledge of the international development agenda, and strategic issues of economic transformation, is desirable.
• Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems of developing countries is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language, particularly Russian, is desirable. Fluency and/or working knowledge of the Romanian language is desirable.

REQUIRED 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.

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.

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 dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

Visit the UNIDO website for details on how to apply: www.unido.org

NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.

Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unido.org