Myanmar: Chief Technical Advisor

Dec 19, 2014 | United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
View Original

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 mandate of UNIDO is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development in developing countries and economies in transition.

The Trade Capacity Building Branch (TCB) is responsible for helping developing countries and countries with economies in transition to participate effectively in the rule-based global trading system, in which they face key constraints arising from the lack of competitive supply capacity of tradable goods, and the need to ensure internationally recognized conformity of their goods to quality and safety requirements.

The CTA will work under the overall guidance of the UNIDO Project Manager in Vienna, HQ and will be responsible for coordinating and facilitating the successful technical delivery of outputs. 

The position is located under the Compliance Infrastructure Unit (PTC/TCB/CIU) of the Branch which is responsible for providing services to strengthen the capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition to establish the legal and institutional frameworks for standards and conformity assessment. Specifically, the Unit provides policy guidance and institutional capacity-building interventions related to standards, metrology, testing, inspection, certification and accreditation, which are needed to participate effectively in the multilateral trading system, in particular with regard to the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) agreements. The demonstration of market compliance enables exporters to reduce the cost of compliance and facilitate access to global markets. Assistance is also provided to strengthen consumer authorities and consumer associations in developing countries. Stricter market requirements, including food safety standards and import inspection mechanisms are becoming a challenge, and the Unit provides national institutional capacity-building for domestic and global food safety compliance. The Unit also facilitates a global forum function addressing developing country standards, conformity and food safety issues.

Vacancy Announcement No:  VA2014_ISA_INT_000151

Duty Station:  Myanmar

Date of Issuance:  25 December 2014

Post Title and Level:  Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), Myanmar, ISA-Senior Specialist

Type of Appointment:  Individual Service Agreement

Closing Date: 15 January 2015

DURATION: 1 year with possibility of extension

PROJECT CONTEXT:

The National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) in Myanmar is underdeveloped and lacks the capacity required for a modern economy with food supply chains integrated into global food supply chains. With the exception of some food testing laboratories, there has been little investment in equipment and facilities in the last 30 years and this has in turn limited technical capacity building. The weakness in the NQI acts as a constraint on trade and export led growth. It also acts as a constraint on the development of value added food products and the diversification of food products and markets. This intervention is designed to address these weaknesses.

Existing capacity will be strengthened in four key food testing laboratories and training will also be provided to meet the requirements for accreditation to ISO 17025 for some key testing parameters. The MFPEA’s Food Industries Development Supporting Laboratory (FIDSL) will receive the bulk of support in terms of equipment as its mandate is to provide testing services to MFPEA members and it is in the best position to rapidly extend its range of testing services to exporters with support from this intervention. The cost accounting system in all the key food testing laboratories will be strengthened to international standards and support will be provided for business plan development.

On the job training will be provided to the Standards Department (MoST) in the Myanmar Scientific and Technological Research Development (MSTRD) to manage the standardization process and build capacity in standards development. This will include assistance to prepare a Medium to Long Term Plan for strengthening Standardization in Myanmar and the development of the Standards Department as a National Standards Body (NSB). Technical Assistance (TA) will also be provided to establish an Information Communication Technology (ICT) network and web portal for the dissemination of standards.

The Standards Department in the MSTRD will be supported with equipment and technical training to upgrade their calibration laboratory for mass and temperature. In addition, TA will be provided to assist the Standards Department in preparing a detailed 5 to 10 year development plan for the establishment of a Legal Metrology (Weights and Measures) inspectorate; the establishment of NMI and further strengthening of the Calibration Laboratory. A detailed Road Map for the establishment of an Accreditation Body (AB) will also be prepared.

TA will be provided to strengthen inspection procedure for food by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Myanmar Testing and Inspection Services (MITS). In parallel, MITS will be assisted to assess its feasibility for accreditation as an inspection and certification body, and if feasible, a Road Map will be prepared. The Standards Department and MITS will be assisted to prepare a Road Map for the accreditation as a Certification Body.

FSSC 22000 – Food Safety System Certification Scheme implementation and certification will seek to promote the adoption of the highest standards in food safety risk management by initiating a pilot program to support at least 10 small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) for certification to FSSC 22000. This scheme is a common requirement for participation in the global food supply chain of multiple retailers in the EU, USA and increasingly in Asia. This will build on an existing base of 12 large food processors that are certified to ISO 22000. A core group of national consultants and public food inspectors will be trained in implementation of food safety risk management systems.

Main Functions

The CTA will work under the overall guidance of the UNIDO Project Manager in Vienna, HQ and will be responsible for coordinating and facilitating the successful technical delivery of outputs. 

A. PROJECT COORDINATION:

1. Provide specialist technical advice to MSTRD by ensuring that all activities under the project are technically sound, properly planned and executed;
2. Provide technical leadership in all SQAM related issues falling under the project;
3. Contribute to the advancement of policies pertaining to the national quality, national strategies and delivery mechanisms in the fields of SQAM;
4. Provide technical assistance on all activities under various components of the project such as business planning, surveys, databases, training sessions, etc;
5. Advise on the elaboration of guidelines, methodologies, manuals and supporting documentation relevant to Standards;
6. Provide technical guidance on the procurement of goods (conformity assessment equipment and other facilities) and services related to the project and in accordance with relevant local and international guidelines in consultation with the National Coordinator and with technical experts where relevant, through:

• Formulation of specifications for the intended goods and services;
• Formulation of appropriate procurement documents, including bids and contracts;
• Evaluation of procurement documents submitted by prospective suppliers;
• Assessment of compliance of delivered goods and services against specified requirements and international standards. 
  
  

B. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION:

1. Ensure effective implementation and monitoring of the SQAM project focusing on quality technical and policy advice throughout the implementation phase:
2. Provide strategic advice in the revision of the operational planning and budgeting system for the project;
3. Constant monitoring and analysis of the project environment, and guidance to Government in undertaking timely adjustments for the project;
4. Develop and maintain harmonious relationships with government colleagues, as well as with other stakeholders involved in the project;
5. Skills transfer and capacity development of MSTRD personnel and other stakeholders attached to the project through on-the-job coaching, briefings and technical study sessions, etc;
6. Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation for the activities of the project using appropriate tools with output verifiable indicators;
7. Assist the National Counterpart with technical input for technical progress reports in accordance with UNIDO/NORAD standards and procedures;
8. In consultation with the National Counterpart, prepare quarterly and annual work-plans;
9. Maintain close links with other SQAM initiatives to ensure a consistent and integrated approach;
10. Assist in the design and implementation of all activities required to achieve the Project’s objectives as specified in the Project Document;
11. Assist the National Counterpart in developing strategies for improving project delivery and incorporating cross-cutting themes.
    
    

C. PROJECT MONITORING AND REPORTING:

1. Facilitating the process of creating and raising the level of awareness on issues emerging in the fields of SQAM;
2. Contribution to learning in the area of competence in MSTRD, and contribution to the knowledge management under the project;
3. Successes and best practices generated and communicated, with the aim of informing the national-level policy and political dialogue in the fields of SQAM and national quality;
4. Creating high-level advocacy on relevant development policies in relation to SQAM and across the representatives of top echelon of the country’s stakeholders;
5. Determining appropriate media for reaching out to the public and design strategies for reaching target groups in consultation with National Coordinator;
6. Develop Knowledge Management products and communication plans;
7. Prepare monthly, semi-annual and yearly ad-hoc project reports;
   
   

Core Competencies: 

Results orientation and accountability; planning and organizing; communication and trust; team orientation; client orientation; organizational development and innovation

Core values: integrity; professionalism; respect for diversity.

Managerial Competencies:

Conflict resolution, Judgement and decision making, Managing people and performance, Strategy and direction.

Minimum Requirements

Education:

University - Master's degree or equivalent, in Engineering, Physics, Economics, Business Administration or related field

UNIDO Languages:

English (Fluent).

Computer skills:

E-mail (Fully proficient), Internet (Fully proficient), Spreadsheets (Fully proficient), Word processing (Fully proficient).

Field of Expertise:

Minimum 12 years professional experience in SQAM (Standardization, Quality, Accreditation and Metrology) including experience at international level involving technical cooperation in developing countries, preferably in the Asian region. Thorough knowledge and understanding of the issues and challenges related to SQAM.

Good knowledge of institutional development and capacity building issues.

Ability to formulate and manage budgets, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects. Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.

Ability to implement new systems and effect behavioural and attitudinal change.

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.

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