Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) on Health Industry

UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization

​​Requisition ID: 4371 
Grade: ISA-Senior Specialist 
Country: Home Based 
Duty Station: Home Based 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Non-staff WAE

Contract Duration: 103 working days over a period
Application Deadline: 05-Sep-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.

 

Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all relevant organizational entities within UNIDO, the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, ensures the Organization’s application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to environment, energy, Micro, Small and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs), and digitalization. The Directorate also oversees the Organization’s normative contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through industrial policy advice and capacity development. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute to effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results, scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.

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.

This position is located under the MSME Development and Job Creation Unit (TCS/SME/MDJ) that 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

 

The aim of the project “Strengthening the production of vaccines and pharmaceuticals in Senegal” (UNIDO ID 230283) is to enhance the capacity of Senegalese manufacturing companies, including local pharmaceutical manufacturers and Institut Pasteur du Dakar, to produce quality-assured essential medicines and vaccines, reduce compliance on imports and improve access to regional population to pharmaceutical products. 

 

UNIDO will bring its decades-long experience to bear in Senegal, initially in conducting comprehensive baseline ecosystem assessments of the national pharmaceutical industry, including the policy framework, incentives, infrastructure, regulatory and procurement systems, to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The assessments will help the country gain a better and more nuanced understanding of the sector’s status, market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and technological capabilities. UNIDO will specifically use its considerable convening power and proven ability to foster linkages between the various stakeholders from the public and private sector, global public health institutions, financing institutions, global regulatory bodies, mature industries in the developed world, and academia. 

 

The main target groups for this project are public institutions such as the Delivery Unit and SMEs from Senegal associated with the pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem. UNIDO’s interventions are based on a systemic and holistic approach that involves all key stakeholders, from policymakers, regulators, industry, to market intelligence companies, multi-lateral organizations and technical partners, and donors. The project will aim to coordinate the activities of different players at national, regional, and continental levels. Specifically, UNIDO will support the DU in mobilizing and aligning inter-ministerial coordination between, for example, finance, health, trade, and industry as a crucial intervention in Senegal. The main project counterparts are the Pharmaceutical Delivery Unit (DU) of MSAS, National Regulatory Agency (ARP), National Supply Pharmacy (SEN-PNA), National Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers.

 

 

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager (PM) based at the Headquarter and working in coordination with the National Project Coordinator and with the project team in the field and at Headquarter, the CTA on Health Industry is responsible for:

 

Main Duties

1.    Project Coordination
–    Prepare, in coordination with the PM and relevant sector-specific stakeholders, detailed work plans, budget requirements and priority interventions for ecosystem challenges and opportunities.
–    Provide technical advice and direction to the national and international experts and ensure good relations with relevant national institutions.
–    Coordinate the activities and follow up on the execution both at team level and national institutions’ levels.
–    Assure the necessary coordination with the HQ team and the project donor team.
–    Develop and manage partnerships with project counterparts and private sector companies. 
–    Coordinate missions and meetings in Senegal, in collaboration with the National Coordinator, mobilizing key local stakeholders and officials

 

2.    Project Implementation
–    Manage the implementation of the project, assuming full responsibility for the provision of project implementation services ensuring that assigned inputs are delivered on time at the right level of quality and within the allocated budget.
–    Brief and liaise with the national counterparts and stakeholders on key activities for project implementation.
–    Provide guidance to the international experts on situation analysis and plan review, including feasibility assessment of local API production outlined based on healthcare system and the pharmaceutical industry, needs assessment for operationalization conducted on companies and regulatory authorities.
–    Serve as a resource for the project implementation, prepare progress reports and ensure activities are carried out in line with the work.
–    Formulation of job descriptions for consultants to be filled for various activities in cooperation with the project manager.  Assisting in the identification of suitable candidates.
–    Be responsible for the day‐to‐day operations of the Project and the disbursement of local expenditures based on standard UNIDO disbursement procedures.
–    Actively provide the necessary technical inputs to the National Project Coordinator and Project Management Unit in the preparation of governance meetings (such as Steering Committee meetings) and to the SC once established.

 

3.    Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation
–    Ensure the administrative and financial monitoring of the project and its activities.
–    Provide regular updates to the Project Manager on project activities and required actions and/or changes in accordance with the approved project document.
–    Carry out missions to the country, to ensure project monitoring activities and evaluate progress against indicators.
–    Prepare regular progress reports and ad hoc reports, as required, and assist in the development of visibility and information dissemination material upon request.

 

4.    External Relations
–    Establish and maintain relations and exchange of information with the local authorities, private sector institutions, enterprises, support institutions and other development partners.
–    Presents the project, project progress and results to the Donors and partners to keep them updated at regular intervals; presents the project at annual steering committee meetings, liaise project activities with the Donor and partners and manages regular reporting including budget related aspects of the financing agreement.
–    Ensures compliance of implementation of the Donor Visibility Requirements and proper implementation of the project’s Communications and Visibility Plan.
–    Participates in key sector coordination meetings convened by the Government or development partners relevant to the action.

 

5.    Ad-hoc Requests
–    Any other assignments related to a timely and effective implementation of the project as requested by the Lead Project Manager.

 

6.    Final Report
–    As per UNIDO standards, prepare a final report on the activities undertaken during the assignment period.

 

 

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

 

Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Health Sciences, Economics, Engineering, Sciences, Agri-business, Environment, Energy, Business Administration, or other relevant discipline is required.

 

Technical and Functional Experience:

  • At least ten (10) years of progressive professional experience in coordinating and implementing large scale and complex development programmes and/or projects within either private sector or public sector organizations at international level, including a minimum of 5 years at a senior level is required.
  • Experience in the field of livelihood support through implementation of technical cooperation or development programmes/projects is desirable.
  • Strong technical knowledge in the field of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and essential medicines is desirable.
  • Experience/knowledge of the international development agenda, and strategic issues of economic transformation, is desirable.
  • Experience in working with the UN system, international organizations or non-governmental organizations and with the donor’s community, is desirable.
  • Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems of developing countries is desirable.

 

Soft Skills Requirements:

  • Interpersonal skills: excellent interpersonal skills to foster and maintain positive working relationships with project counterparts and stakeholders.
  • Organizational skills: Exceptional organizational skills to effectively and strategically manage complex projects and initiatives.
  • Communication skills: Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, for effective collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
  • Leadership skills: Demonstrated leadership abilities with the capability to inspire and guide a diverse team towards achieving project objectives.
  • Strategic and analytical thinking: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify challenges and develop practical solutions, and the ability to develop and execute strategic approaches, ensuring that the project and initiatives align with UNIDO’s goals and objectives.

 

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of French is also required.  

 

 

REQUIRED VALUES AND 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:
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