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 Departments/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

The Directorate of Digitalization, Technology and Agri-Business (DTA), headed by a Managing Director, coordinates and mainstreams the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in its technical cooperation, strategic, normative activities aiming at fostering the inclusive and sustainable development in the era of 4IR. The Directorate creates new and innovative technical cooperation deliverables in the areas of trade, investment, technology innovation and agro-industry and agri- business. The Directorate comprises the Department of Digitalization, Technology and Innovation (DTI) and the Department of Agri-Business (AGR).

Responding to the growing demand for supporting inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in the era of the new industrial revolution, the Department of Digitalization, Technology and Innovation (DTA/DTI) leads the way in addressing opportunities, challenges and risks stemming from the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and its contribution to sustainable socio-economic progress.

The Department is responsible for the strategic coordination of 4IR-related matters with designated focal points in other technical Departments and organizational entities of UNIDO, as appropriate. In consultation with public and private partners, DTI designs and implements holistic interventions that are tailored to specific country needs.

The Innovation and Digitalization Division (DTA/DTI/IDD) promotes digital transformation and innovation ecosystems building, to advance the economic competitiveness of developing countries by helping them to benefit from the rapid progress of digital and convergent technologies associated to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and ensuring a smooth transition towards cyber-physical industrial systems and a smart society.

The Associate Expert (L2) is expected to deliver: (a) work that contains in-depth analyses contributing to results achieved by the Department; (b) in creating an enabling environment for team work which is catalytic to achieving results; (c) in building relationships which contributes to partnerships resulting in strategic collaborations and (d) in achieving results within a professional team.

Main Functions:

• The Associate Expert works under the overall guidance of the Director, Department of Digitalization, Technology and Innovation; the direct supervision of the Chief, Innovation and Digitalization Division 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:
• In line with the guidelines and procedures governing the technical cooperation activities of UNIDO, formulate and execute technical cooperation projects/programme related to the interest of the potential donors and within the mandate of the Division/Department.
• Execute and monitor projects/programme implementation activities and services, ensuring that assigned inputs are
• delivered on time at the right level of quality and within the allocated budget.
• Prepare necessary inputs (consultant job descriptions, terms of reference, training arrangements, equipment
• specifications, etc.), monitoring progress in implementation, including if required missions to project site(s), as well as take part in oversight meetings in the field and at headquarters, and assist the Evaluation Group in its evaluations of projects/ programmes.
• Support advocacy, communication and global forum activities related to the progamme/project 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 progamme/project specific fund mobilization activities.
• Perform other related duties and assignments as required.

Minimum Requirements:

Education:

• Advanced university degree in international relations, economics, engineering or related field with specialization in international development and/or international communications is required.

Languages:

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