Background

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

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
150039 – Increasing SME Trade Competitiveness in Regional & EU Markets
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, worth EUR 8 million, 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.

The Intern will cover mainly, but not limited to, activities under ER 3 & 4 and collaborate in the implementation of activities under ER 3 & 4
 
The Intern under the supervision of the International Technical Specialist and National Quality Expert, for the EU/ITC/UNIDO project for Increasing SMEs Trade Competitiveness, shall provide support on overall project implementation requirements as stated below.

He/ she shall work closely with the UNIDO local project team under the overall guidance, supervision and coordination of the UNIDO Project Manager (PM)/National Sector Specialist.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Updating the Monthly Progress Report and Output Monitoring Table
  • Coordinating Training Programmes planned, ensuring the items identified in the checklist are attended including liaising with the trainer for Training material.
  • Collating the Feedback received from the participants bringing the knowledge to the planning cycle of next programme. Coordinate with relevant institutions and individuals implementing food Safety Mobilization program in the regions.
  • Review reports and draft booklets on Value chain assessment, Pesticides best practices, Food safety practices for Spices and Processed Food & beverages and materials and update with necessary inputs/graphics focused on SMEs.
  • Follow with the Government Institutions, In-service Training Institutes, to expedite the implementation of TOT mobilization programs and other training programmes.
  • Follow up of the work plans and action plans developed/proposed with the institutional partners (IP) under XCP for IP/SMEs
  • Assist in the drafting of technical specifications, letters, documents, TORs, reports, to support the project implementation.
  • Any other activities related to a timely and effective implementation of the project as requested by the Project team

Competencies

Core values:

  • Integrity
  • Professionalism
  • Respect for diversity


Core competencies:

  • Results orientation and accountability
  • Planning and organizing
  • Communication and trust
  • Team orientation and interpersonal skills
  • Client orientation
  • Organizational development and innovation
  • Computer literacy




 

Required Skills and Experience

Applicants to the UN 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 of communications, public relations, languages, journalism or equivalent;
  • 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.

 

  • Relevant working experience in the field of communications and public relations is preferable
  • Excellent command of written and spoken English required and proficiency in Sinhala and/or Tamil is an advantage
  • Ability to write clearly and concisely
  • Knowledge in photoshop, illustrator, video editing software is a plus
  • Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members of different national and cultural backgrounds