Background

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 the UNIDO is to promote and accelerate sustainable industrial development in developing countries and economies in transition. With this mandate, the Organization carries out two core functions: as a global forum, it generates and disseminates industry-related knowledge; as a technical cooperation agency, it provides technical support, policy advice and implements projects. UNIDO's vision is a world where economic development is sustainable and economic progress is equitable.

The Programme Development and Technical Cooperation (PTC) of UNIDO is responsible for providing technical cooperation services on technological and economic issues and is organized in the following departments: Department of Partnerships and Results Monitoring, Department of Agri-Business Development, Department of Trade, Investment and Innovation, Department of Energy and Department of Environment. Furthermore, PTC has a close cooperation with other field based Centers and Offices, such as the Investment and Technology Promotion Offices, forming the extended field network of UNIDO.

The Department of Trade, Investment and Innovation (TII) is responsible for helping developing countries to participate effectively in the rule-based global trading system, in which they face key constraints arising from the lack of a competitive supply capacity of tradable goods, and the need to ensure internationally recognized conformity of their goods to quality and safety requirements.

PROJECT CONTEXT

The EU – Sri Lanka Trade-Related Assistance Project aims to increase the trade competitiveness of Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) in regional and European Union (EU) markets. The 4-year EU-funded project, will contribute to inclusive trade-led growth and regional integration. It will support SME export competitiveness and value addition in sectors with high potential for economic growth and development. The project will help Sri Lanka integrate the policies and regulatory reforms of the World Trade Organization (WTO) allowing SMEs to make the most of the potential opportunities resulting from the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus. It will also enable greater regional integration within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

The project will also address compliance standards and efficiencies in cross border procedures, which are key constraints to market access, especially for Small and Medium enterprises (SMEs). Specific attention will be given to enhancing value chains in the spice, food and IT Business Process Outsourcing sectors. The project provides trade capacity building and technical assistance, with a strong focus on training and skills development. Women are heavily involved in trade and will therefore be a target group when it comes to capacity building of SMEs and exporters. The project will be implemented in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Department of Commerce. The International Trade Centre (ITC) has been designated by the Government of Sri Lanka and the European Union as the lead implementing agency for the project. UNIDO will implement ER3 and ER4 (i.e. spices and food sectors) of the project.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE: Contribute to Sri Lanka’s inclusive trade-led growth and regional integration, thereby contributing to poverty alleviation.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE: Increase trade competitiveness of Sri Lankan SMEs in regional and EU markets.

ER 1. Coherent trade strategy for export competitiveness designed and implemented, including policies, regulatory reforms and trade negotiations as shaped by the WTO, regional integration process, EU GSP+ scheme
ER 2. Enhanced efficiency of cross-border procedures and SMEs’ capacities to comply with cross-border procedures for exporting to SAARC and EU
ER 3. Improved compliance and quality infrastructure services to meet quality and SPS requirements in the regional and EU markets
ER 4. Increased SME competitiveness in export-oriented sectors (spices, food, and ITO/BPO industry). The project includes a sub-ER 4.3 on establishing testing services for packaging materials.

 
With the objective of ensuring smooth implementation of the project, the Intern for quality and training implementation, under supervision of National SME & Programme Advisor shall provide logistic and basic professional support on the overall project implementation requirements and provide inputs to the specific needs of the project as stated below. He/she shall work closely with the UNIDO local project team under the overall guidance and coordination of the UNIDO International Technical Specialist.
To this end, the Intern for Quality and Training will have the following main responsibilities:


 

Duties and Responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES -    Concrete/Measurable Outputs to be achieved
OVERALL DUTIES
Support the implementation of ER 4 on increase VC performance and market compliance - pilot applications - by liaising with relevant stakeholders at meetings, trainings and workshops    Understanding about ER 4 of the project framework and supporting all implementation activities.

Support the project team in all project related administrative, logistical, procurement and training matters     Smooth implementation of training events and general provision of support activities

PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Support the events, trainings and technical activities according to the check list and ensure all aspects are covered    Check list to share with team
Coordinate with implementing partners and stakeholders on the effective participation of technical support activities and stakeholder meetings.    Letters/ emails sent and telephone calls made
Collaborate in the preparation and follow up of the business plans and action plans agreed with the beneficiaries    Action plan updated for each SME
Coordinate with implementing partners on the general development of technical support activities according to the general working plan for ER4    Minutes of meetings, and Action plan updated for each Implementing partner
Assist in the drafting of technical specifications, letters, documents, TORs, reports, to support the project implementation.    Necessary Information collected. Documents drafted

PROGRAMME MONITORING AND REPORTING
Collect information to support the monitoring of project activities and maintain records for reporting purpose.    Records maintained and reported timely
Draft activity reports, results-based reporting for the project according to donor specifications and UNIDO requirements.    Reports delivered on time
Follow-up and monitor the implementation of technical support programs and inform of any deviation of plan or results    Continuous follow-up of the implementing partners and beneficiaries.
Ad-hoc requests: Any other assignments related to a timely and effective implementation of the project as requested by the NQE    Ad-hoc tasks efficiently completed

 

Competencies

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core values:
Integrity
Professionalism
Respect for diversity

Core competencies:
Results orientation and accountability
Planning and organizing
Communication and trust
Team orientation
Client orientation
Organizational development and innovation


 

Required Skills and Experience

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); in the field Natural Sciences, Economics, Accounting, Business Administration or related field would be an asset
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
• Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.