Title:  National Project Coordinator

​Requisition ID: 5304 
Grade: NOC (SB-5) 
Country: Sudan 
Duty Station: Gedaref 
Category: National Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Application deadline: 02-Apr-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 houses the Divisions of Quality, Impact and Accountability (IET/QUA), Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR), Innovative Finance and International Financial Institutions (IET/IFI), Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST), Public-Private Partnerships (IET/PPP), and Climate and Technology Partnerships (IET/CTP). The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions and relevant entities in the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO) and the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS).  

 

Due to its mandate as industrial development arm of the United Nations, UNIDO has a unique and long experience as a platform for business-sector cooperation. UNIDO’s Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET) is responsible for the development of innovative

 

services in the areas of agro-industry and agribusiness, sustainability standards and fair production, and climate-relevant or climate-improving technologies. The project will be implemented by a coordinated effort between UNIDO’s following units within IET: the Food Security and Food Systems (IET/AGR/FSS), and the Skills Development, Entrepreneurship and Fair Production Unit (IET/PST/SEF).

 

The IET/AGR/FSS promotes the development of food industries and food value chains and the production of local food products in developing and less developed countries to end hunger and ensure food and nutrition security while generating income and employment adhering to principles of sustainable industrial development. It provides a range of technical assistance services that allow food enterprises – including in the informal sector and especially SMEs – to extend their production, improve their products, comply with quality and other standards, become more competitive and deliver adequate and nutritious food to local populations and for export. It also promotes the development of food safety compliance infrastructure and building related food safety systems capacities.

 

The IET/PST/SEF 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.

 

  

PROJECT CONTEXT

 

Funded by the European Union (EU), the project for Developing agro-value chains for the improved resilience of rural communities has the overall objective to contribute to sustainable livelihoods and food security in rural communities most affected by food insecurity, climate change and conflicts. The specific outcome is increased productivity and profitability of agriculture value chains by adopting more sustainable agro-production and processing practices. Building on the vast experience of UNIDO in value chain, clusters, and skill development approaches, this project aims to address these gaps by strengthening quality innovation, access to finance and market opportunities of the sesame value chain in the Gedaref State of Sudan.  

The project outputs have been defined as follows:  

  • Output 1: Project inception phase is finalized, and project management is established.  
  • Output 2: Value chain stakeholders are strengthened through better integration of agro-ecological practices, digital and financial services into the value chains.  
  • Output 3: Agro-food processing is enhanced by fostering entrepreneurship and value addition pilot initiatives.  
  • Output 4: Monitoring and Evaluation activities are conducted. 

 

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Under the overall general direction of UNIDO Project Manager at HQ and in close coordination with the UNIDO Representative and Field Office in Sudan, as well as the project teams at HQ and in the field, the National Project Coordinator will be responsible for the overall coordination/implementation, monitoring/evaluation and reporting of the project. Specifically, the National Project Coordinator will undertake the following main duties:

 

 

Main Duties

Concrete/ Measurable Outputs

Expected duration %

  1. Project management

 

  • Advise the Project Manager on preparing a detailed work plan and budget, and design monitoring and evaluation tools for the project activities;
  • Liaise with the project personnel on all substantial issues related to project planning and execution across all project outputs. This will include liaising closely across both divisions (IET/AGR/FSS and IET/PST/SED) to coordinate and implement activities in field;
  • In full coordination with the Project Manager and the UNIDO Country Representative, maintain effective coordination and working relations with the relevant Ministries, Governorate/District authorities and other stakeholders;
  • Keep abreast of national and regional development context, policy developments, and any other support programmes (especially those related to food security and food systems, sesame and its value chain, value addition in agriculture in Sudan, TVET/skills development, and youth employment) being launched/implemented;
  • Coordinate the execution of all activities leading to the successful implementation of the project in the country, including implementation, quality control and monitoring of all project related activities in Gedaref,  including, but not limited to the annual work plan, budget, field missions, field work, training and workshops, remote meetings, recruitment and procurement activities;
  • In particular, lead the organization and preparation of workshops, conferences, seminars or other types of project-related events, including planning and follow-up on all relevant items (e.g. draft agenda, invitee list, supporting material; logistics), drafting meeting minutes and/or event reports, consolidating comments, and ensuring internal and external dissemination as required;
  • Support overall planning, reporting, and management of the project in Gedaref, including development of project work plan and monitoring based on the achieved progress; drafting Terms of Reference and Technical Specifications for the purchase of goods/services, according to project needs and budget allocation;
  • Organize and conduct briefings and debriefings on projects for the country, sub-regional aspects, resources and development towards maximizing project performance level;
  • Ensure fair, active, and gender-sensitive participation of beneficiaries in the project implementation, in line with the project deliverables and targets;
  • Lead project team related to the project activities in Gedaref and provide monthly progress reporting by gathering project data and information to UNIDO HQ;
  • Facilitate the work of other Individual Service Agreement (ISA) holders and subcontractors assigned for the activities of the project in Gedaref;
  • Keep track of financial procedures and payments of the project, such as request and follow-up of supplier invoices, requests for OCA, OCAFT etc. and reconciliations in coordination with the project assistant;
  • Actively contribute to analysis-related activities, including by providing technical inputs, comments and feedback on experts and sub-contractors' deliverables;
  • Coordinate the preparation of technical requirements/technical specifications for procurement, including designing of technical requirements, elaboration of relevant questions from tenders, evaluations, etc. ensuring compliance with the relevant UNIDO administrative rules and policies;
  • Attend key meetings (incl. internal coordination meetings as required by the PM) related to the project and act as the focal point of the project at national level, as requested by the project manager;
  • Take project initiatives to enhance the success of the programme including establishing and maintaining partnerships opportunities with the private sector n Gedaref, maintaining close links with other private sector skills development initiatives to ensure a consistent and integrated approach;
  • Establish a coherent system of information covering each activity of the project, including project impact indicators, and transmit the required details to the PM;
  • Support the organization of the Project Steering Committee and specialized working groups/technical steering committees related to project objectives;
  • Prepare mission plans and provide logistical support for missions for PM, international and national experts and subcontractors as requested by the PM;
  • Supervise the day to day work of the project team, including project assistants, driver, and ad hoc consultants recruited for the project;
  • Oversee correct use of assets including vehicle and any other project-supplied equipment;Daily and regularly inspect the condition of the project vehicle. Arrange for the regular professional service maintenance and repair of the UNIDO project vehicle. This includes maintaining a high-level of cleanliness and ensuring that oil, water, battery, brakes and tyres all meet the authorized safety regulations;
  • Log all official travel, daily mileage, gas consumption and oil changes, in an official form;
  • Perform other ad-hoc duties as required by the PM and the two Technical Officers assigned to the project at HQ;
  • Ensure compliance with all UNIDO rules and regulations.

 

 

Project activities completed on schedule and implemented according to project documents, inception report, project progress reports and other relevant documents.

 

Project activities, implemented in close collaboration with national counterparts at a high standard and with results-based approach.

 

Meeting invitations sent out in a timely manner to the designated audience, and minutes/reports drafted, revised and shared as required by the PM.

 

UNIDO PM & FO are informed of relevant developments (i.e. briefing/summary notes prepared, event invitations shared in timely manner.

 

National experts guided and empowered so as to produce high quality project outputs and deliverables.

 

Project strategy informed by intelligence generated.

 

Procurement approaches streamlined and according to UNIDO rules and regulations; Tender documents are of high quality and prepared in a timely manner.

 

Financial procedures are followed and project payments are made in a timely fashion (i.e. no complaints by vendors).

 

Effective partnerships developed and maintained.

 

UNIDO PM & FO are informed of relevant developments (i.e. briefing/summary notes prepared, event invitations shared in timely manner.

 

 

60%

  1. Monitoring, reporting and ad-hoc assignments

 

  • Execute the administrative and financial monitoring of the project and its activities, including project outputs and outcomes at national level, the collection of required information and data, reporting on identified bottlenecks as well as proposing and implementing solutions to expedite implementation in line with the adaptive management approach, and as required by the PM;
  • Represent UNIDO at the UN inter-agency meetings and Steering Committee meetings (as required by the PM);
  • Ensure continuous coordination with institutional implementing partners throughout the project cycle;
  •  Lead the coordination and preparation of Technical Committee (TC) and Project Steering Committee meetings (PSCs) and provide relevant documentation, including reporting/meeting minutes and internal/external dissemination, drafting TORs, and if required act as Secretary of the PSC;
  • Coordinate the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reporting for the programme according to donor specifications and UNIDO requirements;
  • Draft the relevant section of the progress report related to project activities in Gedaref based on the outcomes of the different activities by gathering all relevant data and draft relevant sections of the progress report developed in liaison with UNIDO HQ;
  • Develop presentations, official correspondence and press releases etc. as required during the project implementation;
  • Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation for the activities of the project using appropriate tools with output verifiable indicators;
  • Be the project focal point for the data collection and reporting to the program M&E framework as well as the report according to UNIDO IRPF framework,
  • Provide inputs for strategic advice in the elaboration of the operational planning and monitoring system for the project;
  • Maintain files (both paper and electronic) and databases related to work, including database of key contacts; log of contacts.

Participation to relevant meetings as well as coordination with relevant partners and stakeholders ensured.

 

M&E IRPF indicators developed.

 

Project monitoring framework drafted. Project log frame revised. Project reporting templates drawn up.

 

Reports are prepared and submitted as agreed and planned.

 

Project reports shared in time with all relevant project partners.

 

ToRs prepared, the PSC meetings run smoothly. Meeting minutes template filled in and sent to PMs following every meeting (including phone calls or web based).

 

Effective liaison with government and private sector counterparts established.

20%

  1. External Relations

 

  • Develop and nurture an active network of key contacts within relevant public sector actora, VTCs, development and financial partners, and the private sector in Sudan;
  • Facilitate coordination and cooperation with national counterparts, ensure the liaison and participation between stakeholders at national level. In particular, follow-up on initiatives for and facilitate cooperation and public-private dialogue on private sector’s engagement in skills development at the national level;
  • Support HQ/FO in UNIDO’s policy dialogue on industrial policy, local content policies, and related skills development strategies (e.g. identifying policy dialogue opportunities, organizing advocacy meetings with key government representatives, preparing agenda and minutes, identifying key messages, ensuring follow-up of action points, etc);
  • Support the elaboration of a project communication strategy and coordinate the dissemination of project knowledge to the wider public including providing input on project-related communication items (e.g. fact sheet, newsletters, flyers, learning briefs, social media posts, press releases) in coordination with PM and HQ/divisional communications teams;
  • Provide regular updates and brief counterparts and other project stakeholders on project activities, including by sharing relevant information in line with the project work plan, and coordination with media and key stakeholders to ensure good publicity/media coverage of events organized.

 

Partnerships with project partners, other key stakeholders, and prospective partners are built and strengthened.

 

PM, FO, and other colleagues are briefed in a timely manner about all meeting outcomes.

 

National counterparts and stakeholders are aware of project activities and actively participating in relevant events (PSC etc.).

 

Policy dialogue opportunities identified and advocacy meetings held, and meeting minutes shared with PM and FO.

 

Communications strategy completed and success stories and lessons learned disseminated through identified appropriate media.

10%

  1. Project Visibility
  • Liaise with the Project Manager at the HQ to support the development of the communication and visibility activities for the project;
  • Coordinate input texts for promotional materials including project fact sheets, infographic, website etc. as needed;
  • Assist in promoting the project via visibility platforms, events, social media, brochures and other tools, developing promotional videos/material.

Project results disseminated

 

10%

 

 

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

 

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in economics, engineering, sciences, agro-industries, environment, business administration, or other relevant discipline is required.

 

Technical and Functional Experience

  • At least five (5) years of professional experience in coordinating the implementation of development/technical cooperation programmes/projects at national level, is required.
  • Experience in evaluating the needs conditions and problems of the country or similar country in the region is required.
  • Experience/knowledge of other development agencies donor communities, private sectors, government and relevant institutions in the country, or similar country in the region is desirable.
  • Experience in supporting agro-business and agro-value chains is required
  • Experience in technical cooperation projects in Sudan, particularly in the field of agribusiness development and women agribusiness support, is highly desirable
  • Experience and networks in technical and/or vocational training, youth employment, industrial development in Sudan is desirable.

 

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is 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: recruitment@unido.org