National Project Coordinator

Organizational Context

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty and hunger reduction, inclusive and fair globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013, the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019 as well as the Riyadh Declaration adopted at the twenty-first session of UNIDO General Conference in 2025, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Member States. The relevance of this mission 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 inclusive and sustainable industrial development, however, applies to all SDGs. The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) 2026 - 2029 is UNIDO’s core strategic document and it is in line with UNIDO’s Vision 2050. It sets a renewed vision to support Member States and shape their industries for development. The priorities include fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, renewable and clean energy, sustainable energy access and climate action. Cross-cutting priorities focus on industrial and economic policy advice, skills development, fostering digitalization and artificial intelligence, gender equality and the empowerment of women, supporting youth, promoting cleaner production and circular economy, and leveraging private sector investment and development finance. 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-related activities; and (iv) convening and fostering partnerships for knowledge and technology transfer, investment mobilization, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Sub-regional Offices 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 agroindustry 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. The position is located under the Division of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR). 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.

Job Purpose

The Government of Kenya is promoting the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and has recognized the role played by agriculture and manufacturing sectors in income generation, wealth and job creation, increasing foreign exchange earnings, and poverty reduction. Over the past decade, Kenya’s manufacturing sector has not experienced significant expansion, with its contribution to the national GDP remaining stagnant at around 11%. This stagnation has led to insufficient job creation and limited export growth. In response to these challenges, the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry has set ambitious targets under the National Industrialization Plan, aiming to increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP to 15% by 2027, and further to 20% by 2030. As part of its strategy to raise manufacturing value-added, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, and County Governments in partnership with stakeholders, will establish County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIPs) infrastructure in each county in the country. The project aims to complement the government’s CAIPs initiative through increasing investment in agriculture and agribusiness in Kenya. Interventions will focus on one selected agro-industrial park and will address business plan development, infrastructure improvement, investment and trade promotion, and capacity building. It leverages international best practices including those from China.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and close cooperation with the project team in the HQ and field location, the expert will be responsible for the performance of the following main duties: MAIN DUTIES Concrete/measurable Outputs to be achieved Expected duration (if WAE) Location Project Coordination and Implementation Advise the Project Manager in preparing detailed work plan and budget, design monitoring and evaluation tool for the project activities; 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 activities in the country; Liaise with government counterparts, provide regular updates, financial reports and troubleshot problems as required; Attend key meetings related to the project and act as the focal point of the project at national level; Organize and conduct briefings and debriefings on projects for the country, sub regional aspects, resources and development towards maximizing project performance level; Coordinate the preparation of ToRs for recruitment of national project consultants and contractors; Supervise the work of the local project team assigned to work on the project and/or to perform ad-hoc activities; 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; Take project initiatives to enhance the success of the programme including partnerships opportunities with private sectors; Maintain close links with other private sector development initiatives to ensure a consistent and integrated approach. Preparation/plan for the implementation of the project prepared in timely manner and approved by the PM. Project activities, implemented in close collaboration with national counterparts at a high standard and with results- based approach. Effective liaison with government counterpart established. National experts guided and empowered so as to produce high quality project outputs and deliverables. Procurement approaches streamlined and according to UNIDO rules and regulations; Tender documents are of high quality and prepared in a timely manner. Effective partnership maintained. Nairobi Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Provide inputs for strategic advice in the elaboration of the operational planning and monitoring system for the project; Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation for the activities of the project using appropriate tools with output verifiable indicators; Execute the administrative and financial monitoring of the project and its activities; Coordinate the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reporting for the programme according to donor specifications and UNIDO requirements; Coordinate the preparation of a final report at the end of the contract comprising all relevant information compiled from the interim reports, conclusions and recommendations; Lead the coordination and preparation of steering committee meetings (SCs), including preparing ToRs. Project monitoring framework drafted. Project log frame revised. Project reporting templates drawn up. Reports are prepared and submitted as agreed and planned. Final report prepared and submitted to the PM. ToRs prepared, the SCs 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 counterpart established. Nairobi External Relations Maintain networks and partnerships with national institutions, private sector, UN project partners; Coordinate the dissemination of project knowledge to the wider public by proposing examples of best practices and success stories, as well as replicable strategies and approaches. Partnerships with project partners strengthened. Communications strategy completed and success stories and lessons learned, disseminated through identified appropriate media. Nairobi Final phase Prepare a consolidated final report of the programme/project in close consultation with all the stakeholders and submit to UNIDO by the end of the programme/project. Final report produced. Nairobi

Work 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. Knowledge and experience with agro-industrial parks or industrial parks is describable . 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.

Skills

Not informed

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