Requisition ID: 4700
Grade: SB2 - Local support
Country: Senegal
Duty Station: Dakar
Category: Local Support Personnel
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Non-staff Regular
Contract Duration: 6 months (with the possibility of extension)
Application deadline: 05-Nov-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)

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 supervision of the Project Manager and in close cooperation with the project team in the HQ and field location, the National Project Assistant provides clerical/administrative support to the project implementation and is responsible for the following key functions:

Perform general administrative tasks such as arrangements for meetings, events, study tours, trainings and workshops.
Provide logistical support to international consultants, national consultants, and visiting UNIDO staff members and in organizing meetings, study tours and workshops at the field level and travel requests and expense reports when required Monitor disbursements, commitments and budget allocations and availability for the projects.
Consult to clarify the application of new financial and procurement rules and procedures, TC guidelines and other instructions Collect and compile all data and documents for bi-annual reports, annual reports, service providers’ reports and other reports as required.
Keep track of project budget expenditures; follow-up on status of contracts for the local project team, provide information on the project, draw the supervisor’s attention to problems encountered.
Maintain project equipment inventories (both paper and electronic asset management) and ensure appropriate use.
Prepare/compile relevant documents and when applicable using SAP, initiate and follow up on actions related to trainings and study tours, purchase of equipment/goods and services, travel requests/claims, recruitment, visa applications, and deal with all related inquiries in coordination with the project team at HQ. Process all payments through relevant accounts and liaise with project team in the country and UNIDO HQ to clear all payments in a timely manner.
Prepare/compile relevant documents and when applicable using SAP, initiate and follow up on actions related to trainings and study tours, purchase of equipment/goods and services, travel requests/claims, recruitment, visa applications, and deal with all related inquiries in coordination with the project team at HQ.
Assist with on boarding of new project personnel.
Assist in drafting regular and/or ad-hoc reports on project activities.
Carry out ad-hoc assignments and research activities, as required.
Maintain all project related files (both paper and electronic) and databases related to work.

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.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Education: Completed higher secondary education (high school diploma or equivalent), is required. Formal administrative/secretarial/clerical training or equivalent, is desirable Credit towards total working experience may be considered on a year by-year- basis, up to maximum of four years, for a higher degree education (including first university degree or equivalent diploma and/or master’s degree), in a relevant field to the post.

Technical and Functional Experience:
A minimum of six (6) years of work experience in the related fields of the post, is required.
Experience in office procedures and practices, preferably within the UN system or in a multicultural environment, is desirable.
Experience in project administration, accounting and finance, providing support to managerial/professional staff and using administrative skills to assist in the execution of project development and implementation of work, is desirable.
Experience and proficiency in using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet, is required.
Experience with SAP or similar ERP software is desirable.

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