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Requisition ID: 3244
Grade: SB4 - Local Professional (Junior & Mid Level)
Country: Lao People's Democratic Republic
Duty Station: Vientiane
Category: National Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Contract Duration: 25 working days over a period
Application deadline: 21-Feb-2024, 11:59 PM (CET)
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.
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), 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 technical cooperation concepts, identifying new sources and means of finance and entering into new partnerships with a broad range of relevant stakeholders.
Under the supervision of the Managing Director, Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), and in close coordination with other organizational entities within UNIDO, the Division of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR) supports Member States in their efforts to pave the way to sustainable rural development and a structurally transformed and modernized agribusiness sector. Capitalizing on the experience gained by UNIDO in this field over decades and on tried-and-tested and to-be-developed service modules, the Division will explore innovative approaches to maximise the potential that exists in agribusiness development, addressing emerging global trends, in particular food security, poverty alleviation and climate change. It will explore new ways to contribute to global efforts to reduce hunger, accelerate food systems transition, and generate income and employment, especially among women and youth.
The Division provides technical cooperation services to assist the modernization of agriculture and agro-industry, especially in less-developed countries, ensuring that enterprises add value to primary agricultural production, substitute the imports of food and other value-added agricultural products, and participate effectively in local, regional and global value chains. Where needed, it will develop infrastructure and agro-industrial parks and capacities for agro-industrialization, value addition, quality assurance and food safety. It will also bring innovative approaches to Member States to fully benefit from carbon-neutral and biodiversity-enhancing agricultural and agro-industrial production and development opportunities in the green and blue bioeconomy.
The Agro-Innovation and Bioeconomy Unit (IET/AGR/AIB) promotes the development of innovative approaches to agricultural and agro-industrial production by looking at new products for industry, new processes of production, new sources of materials and energy from biomass, new schemes for sustainable production and new approaches to climate adaptation and the reduction of climate change. The Unit will contribute to addressing global challenges such as climate change, food and water shortages, environmental pollution, and loss of biodiversity – all in combination with economic development - by replacing fossil and mineral resources with renewable raw materials and through new technologies in production and processing of agriculture and aquaculture-based products.
Lao PDR was the third-largest illicit opium poppy producing country in the world until 1998. The eradication efforts made by the Government of Lao PDR and international partners have reduced the cultivation to marginal levels as of today. Presently, Lao PDR functions as a main transit country for methamphetamine trafficking in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). Large quantities of methamphetamine have been trafficked from Myanmar to Thailand or Vietnam through the northwest border of Lao PDR. The northern part of Lao PDR is known as one of two opium producing countries in the region and as a transit area for heroin trafficking from northern Myanmar to China.
According to the Government of Lao PDR, available formal epidemiological data is limited, however; it is said that at least 65,000 people were affected by drug use disorders, including drug dependence, in 2019. While there is a lack of national-level data on sex, age, and other socio-economic characteristics of drug users in Lao PDR, the global perspective suggests that the majority of drug users are adult men, while adult women take lead in their rate of consumption and will develop disorders faster once initiating substance use. Research on younger drug users in Lao PDR also found that social and gender norms significantly influence the reasons and patterns of drug usage among female and male teens.
The mainstay of treatment for substance use disorders in Lao PDR to date has been the use of long-term residential drug treatment centres, which accommodate people suspected of drug use and drug use disorders on voluntary and involuntary basis with coercion. This form of treatment has received international criticism because of the lack of transparency and scientific evidence in their treatment plan and hospitalization procedures and reported human rights violations in the premises.
In a UNODC survey conducted in 2020-2021 at border communities throughout Southeast Asia, the survey respondents were asked “What do you think could be done at the community level so people do not get involved in illicit trafficking/contraband?” 30% said that economic factors need to be addressed specifically various suggestions were made, including:
1) creating job opportunities by building factories or employment agencies,
2) providing vocational training, and
3) promoting alternative crop cultivation and reorienting their livelihood towards a more legitimate and sustainable source of income.
In Lao PDR, with support from the international community, including the Governments of Japan and the United States, UNODC has been promoting evidence- and human rights-based drug use prevention and treatment of drug use disorders using community-based models. However, the coverage and the quality of interventions, however, need to be further enhanced. The established community-based treatment facilities established have insufficient resources and are in poor condition. In particular, there is not sufficient support in the areas of post-treatment rehabilitation and recovery (social reintegration), and effective programs have not been established. Consequently, very frequent drug use relapses and readmissions have been reported.
The proposed project will be implemented jointly by UNIDO and UNODC and aims to ensure access to quality, evidence- and human rights-based programmes for drug use prevention/treatment and care/social reintegration of people with drug use disorders for innovative recovery ensured. To this end, UNIDO will provide skills and vocational training to create income generating opportunities in partnership with the private sector and TVET centers in Oudomxay and Champasak Provinces. The target beneficiaries are the people at risk of drug use (especially children and youths) and with drug use and drug use disorders in Oudomxay, and Chanmpasak Provinces.
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager (PM) in Agro-Innovation and Bioeconomy Unit (IET/AGR/AIB) and in close coordination with the UNIDO Laos Field Office and UNODC Laos Field Office, as well as the relevant government ministries and agencies and other key stakeholders, the National TVET Expert will carry out the following duties to facilitate developing the detailed design of the project in order to mobilize the financial support of the donor to implement the proposed project, in particular, Output 3:
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.
Education
Advanced university degree in Agriculture Economics, Business Administration, Economics, International Development or any other relevant subject related to the livelihood development field or TVET.
Technical and Functional Experience
A minimum of three (3) years of practical working experience in the field of industrial development with particular emphasis on TVET and/or social reintegration of former drug users through TVET for job creation is required.
Experience within the UN system and donor community in Lao PDR is desirable.
Knowledge of the international development agenda and strategic issues on illicit drug use and social reintegration of former users is desirable
Languages
Fluency in written and spoken English is required, Fluency in written and spoken Laotian is required.
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
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