Date: Project Assistant

​Requisition ID: 5059
Grade: SB2 – Local support
Country: Kenya
Duty Station: KEN – Other cities
Category: Local Support Personnel
Type of Job Posting: External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 3 months (with possibility of extension for another 9 months)
Application deadline: 30-01-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Only nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are considered eligible.
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 SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET)

Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with relevant organizational entities, the Directorate, headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for the development of innovative UNIDO services in the areas of agro-industry and agribusiness, sustainability standards and fair production, and climate-relevant or climate-improving technologies.

It is also, in collaboration with ODG, responsible for developing innovative cooperation concepts, identifying new sources and means of innovative finance and entering into new partnerships with abroad range of relevant stakeholders.

The Directorate is responsible for the Divisions of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR), Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST), Climate and Technology Partnerships (IET/CTP), Innovative Finance and International Financial Institutions (IET/IFI), and Public-Private Partnerships (IET/PPP).

Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, IET collaborates closely with TCS 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.

Division of Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST)

Under the supervision of the Managing Director, Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), and in close coordination with other organizational entities, the Division develops and implements an innovative service package in response to UNIDO’s mandate for fair and responsible local industrial production and trade, with a particular focus on building the required skills and capacities, and foster a conducive business operating environment to ensure that such production and trade are inclusive, promoting – among others – the just adoption of sustainability standards and mandatory due diligence legislation as well as the development of human capital through vocational training and industrial skills development.

In collaboration with relevant organizational entities, the Division will conceptualize and negotiate services and raise funds from Member States, development partners, IFIs, and the private sector to coordinate their effective implementation and devise ways in which their implementation can be brought to scale.

This will include cross-cutting and sector-specific initiatives for sustainable supply/value chain and skills development in industrial sectors where UNIDO has, over the years, accumulated expertise. It will do so through close engagement with Member States, private sector associations, industrial enterprises, international quality, standards and trade-related governing bodies, other UN agencies, development partners, NGOs and consumer associations, ensuring solid and operational partnerships.

The position is located under the Skills Development, Entrepreneurship and Fair Production Unit (IET/PST/SEF), which supports Member States in integrating into the emerging global systems of fair and sustainable trade and supply chains. It aims to increase employability, strengthen access to decent employment, augment job retention, and increase access to qualified workforce by the industry, through modern technical and vocational education and training (TVET), professional education and entrepreneurship systems essential for driving sustainable transition.

Central to its mandate is the commitment to provide the skills required to enabling sustainable supply chain practices, ensuring resilience, particularly at the firm level, and addressing the challenges and opportunities arising from new due diligence regulations.

To this end, it provides specialized and country-tailored assistance to Member States to skill, upskill, and/or reskill their labour force and enhance their entrepreneurship capacity, it implements demand-driven educational approaches, leverages partnerships with the private sector and strengthens institutional and firm-level capacities that fortify sustainable supply chains, with emphasis on the most vulnerable. It places importance on mitigating unintended consequences stemming from due diligence regulations, ensuring that all actors, especially at firm-level, are equipped to navigate through these changes.

The Unit promotes innovation in learning, concepts and norms to augment the quality, relevance, attractiveness and accessibility of TVET for sustainable industrial employment and self-employment for the most vulnerable. The Unit also deploys foresight and planning instruments to guide Member States in developing industrial skills of future employees and respond to re-skilling and up-skilling requirements tailored for sustainable supply chains.

PROJECT CONTEXT

The “Pathways to Profitable Dairy Farming: a public-private development partnership” project (SAP ID: 240109) is a comprehensive initiative designed to address systemic challenges within Kenya’s dairy sector and enhance its contribution to rural development, poverty reduction, and food security. Implemented by UNIDO in partnership with Tetra Pak Food for Development and the Githunguri Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society (GDFCS), the project adopts a Public-Private-Development Partnership (PPDP) approach, leveraging synergies between public, private, and development stakeholders to foster sustainable transformation in the sector. The project integrates the Market Systems Development (MSD) methodology to ensure effective execution, scalability, and systemic impact.

The project builds on lessons learned from previous UNIDO and Tetra Pak initiatives, focusing on the Githunguri region in Kiambu County, a leading dairy production area. During the 12-month inception phase, the project will focus on laying the foundation for its activities by establishing operational and governance structures, setting up the Dairy Academy and Model Farm, conducting market systems analyses following the Market Systems Development (MSD) approach to identify systemic constraints, and implementing a robust Monitoring and Results Measurement (MRM) framework.

Impact: The project aims to improve the livelihoods of smallholder dairy farmers by increasing their average incomes, improving access to markets, and building resilience to challenges such as climate variability and low-quality farming practices.

Outcome: Enhanced productivity, profitability, and inclusivity (women and youth) of the dairy sector in Kenya.

Output 1: Number of dairy academies established with project support.

Output 2: Number of dairy academies benefitting from similar models without project support.

Output 3: Number of people with improved access to better dairy related services as a result of project intervention.

Output 4: Number of people benefitting from improvements in the enabling environment for smallholder dairy production.

Output 5: Number of people with improved skills for dairy production.

The project aligns with Kenya’s Vision 2030, the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (2019–2029), and the newly launched Dairy Master Plan (2023–2033). By addressing key systemic barriers and promoting inclusive, sustainable practices, it contributes to the overarching goal of transforming Kenya’s dairy industry into a globally competitive, environmentally sustainable, and socially inclusive sector.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Project Manager and the National Project Coordinator and in close cooperation with the project team in the HQ and field location, the Team Assistant provides clerical/administrative support to the project implementation and is responsible for the following key functions:

Field operations support:

• Coordinate the organization of local activities and events, including workshops, training sessions, and stakeholder meetings.
• Manage project documentation, ensuring proper filing and accessibility of reports, correspondence, and other relevant documents.
• Handle administrative tasks such as office rentals, contracting, and collection of quotations for procurement purposes.
• Liaise with local subcontractors and service providers to ensure timely and quality delivery of goods and services.

Logistical support:

• Arrange travel and accommodation for project team members, consultants, and visiting staff.
• Facilitate the procurement of goods and services, ensuring compliance with UNIDO procedures.
• Assist in organizing study tours, field visits, and training sessions at the project site.

Financial and administrative tasks:

• Monitor project expenditures, ensuring alignment with the budget and reporting any discrepancies.
• Prepare and process financial documents such as travel claims, purchase requisitions, and payment vouchers.
• Support the preparation of periodic progress reports, including financial and narrative reports.

Team and office coordination:

• Assist in onboarding new project personnel, ensuring they are equipped with necessary resources and support.
• Maintain an up-to-date inventory of project equipment and supplies, ensuring proper usage and storage.

• Provide clerical support to the project team, including drafting correspondence and preparing presentations.

Ad hoc tasks:

• Undertake other administrative and operational tasks as required to support the project’s goals and objectives.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Completed higher secondary education (high school diploma or equivalent), is required. Formal administrative/secretarial/clerical training or equivalent, is desirable.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• A minimum of six (6) years of work experience in the related fields of the post, is required.
• Experience in office procedures and practices, preferably within the UN system or in a multicultural environment, is desirable.
• Experience in project administration, accounting and finance, providing support to managerial/professional staff and using administrative skills to assist in the execution of project development and implementation of work, is desirable.
• Experience and proficiency in using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet, is required.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP software is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of Swahili or any other local languages is also required.

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.

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: [email protected]