Training and capacity development, project management, SME training, entrepreneurship and livelihood development in agriculture, development and implementation of training and learning programmes

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a training arm of the United Nations System and a strategic driver in today’s global and essential role of the UN by empowering individuals, governments and organizations through knowledge and learning to effectively overcome contemporary global challenges. UNITAR serves over 350,000 beneficiaries annually by conducting close to 900 capacity development and research activities around the world.

Within UNITAR, the institute is organized around four out of five thematic pillars of the 2030 Agenda - Division for Peace, Division for People, Division for Planet and Division for Prosperity. In addition, the cross-cutting nature of our work on strengthening multilateral diplomacy, satellite analysis and applied research (UNOSAT) and Accelerating SDG Implementation are also organized in Division for Multilateral Diplomacy and Division for Satellite Analysis and Applied Research.

The Division for Prosperity delivers training across six thematic areas to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, including: Leadership and Empowerment; Entrepreneurship and Private Sector Development; Finance and Trade; Anti-Corruption and Combatting Financial Crime; Frontier Technologies; and Hiroshima and Peace.

The Public Finance and Trade Programme Unit (PFTPU) is one of the thematic areas with the Division for Prosperity that supports the Institute’s mission by delivering training, knowledge exchange and capacity development activities in promoting economic development and social inclusion as well as in strengthening multilateralism amongst UN-member countries.

More concretely, PFTPU addresses three thematic areas: namely, Public Finance, Trade and Intellectual Property, with a view to develop knowledge, skills and awareness among delegates, government officials and policy makers to understand the issues at hand and effectively address institutional- and country-level action to achieve their development objectives.

PFTPU also develops strategic partnerships with national and international organizations as well as other renowned institutions to reach-out to more beneficiaries in a cost-effective manner and to share respective expertise and resources.

PFTPU is seeking a qualified Country Project Coordinator with practical experience in the development, delivery, and expansion of training activities to support agricultural livelihood and SME development for women and youth.

The Country Project Coordinator will be involved in the planning, development, implementation, reporting, and expansion of training activities in Zimbabwe. This includes:

• Preparing an action plan to achieve the programme objectives on time and within budget.
• Organizing and managing the national capacity building activities including coordination of needs assessment and content development, call for applications, instructional design, roll-out of online courses, workshops, seminars, coaching sessions, study visits, and impact evaluation and reporting.
• Provide coaching and training support to learners in the programme.
• Engaging relevant experts, speakers, and partner institutions to strengthen quality and timely delivery of training products and services.
• Engaging ecosystem partners including media, local and national officials for greater outreach, impact, and support to learners.
• Supporting the administrative and promotion of training and networking events.
• Managing and building relationships with partners and donors in identifying new potential areas for collaboration and scaling-up of existing programmes in the country.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the unit and Division Supervisor.

• Assigned tasks and projects are delivered on time, within budget, and with the intended outcomes achieved.
• Planned training activities are completed on time.
• Project completion reports are compiled and submitted on time to partners and donors.
• Administrative and internal reporting requirements are completed/submitted on time.

Timely and quality submission of deliverables; activities implemented with a high degree of effectiveness and efficiency; demonstrating a high degree of professionalism, autonomy and contributing to the full achievement of project objectives and increase in the professional image of the Institute.

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals and solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required and allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently; ability to follow up on project work-plan.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Interpersonal competencies: Able to communicate and interact effectively with all stakeholders; is able to work both independently and as part of a team; is able to work under pressure and with limited resources; demonstrates high level of discipline.

Education: University degree in one of the following fields: education and training, project management, finance, business administration, economics, international development, entrepreneurship, training and capacity development, community development or any other related field.

Experience: Relevant experience at the national or international level in project management. Relevant experience in research and development of projects related to entrepreneurship and livelihood development of women and youth in agriculture. Work experience with UN or other international/donor agencies is an asset.

Additional desirable competencies: Has a good to excellent understanding of one or several thematic fields related to livelihood development, entrepreneurship, SME development, frontier technologies, finance and trade, coaching, leadership and women empowerment.

Language Requirement: Fluency in oral and written English language is mandatory; working level of other UN languages is an asset.

Other: Knowledge of basic gender and inclusivity concepts; excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite) are required.