Executive Director, ISA

Position description

The Directorate is responsible for the Division of Industrial Policy Advice and Capacity Development (TCS/IPC), and technical Divisions of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG), Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA), Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP); MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI). Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, TCS collaborates closely with IET to develop and implement programmes and projects, aiming at enhancing synergy and complementarity and maximizing UNIDO corporate performance and impacts on the ground. The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in all Directorates across the Organization.

Under the supervision of the Managing Director of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), and in close coordination with other organizational entities within UNIDO, the Division of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG) contributes to greener and more circular industries and products by minimizing both resource use along value chains and the emission of pollutants to the environment. The Division promotes just transitions to circular economies, reduced release of pollutants into the environment and other green industrial and economic approaches to help Member States to grow economically while simultaneously addressing the three planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It promotes circular economy policies, programmes and practices including circular business models that improve the profitability of industries while creating social and environmental benefits. It does so by supporting resource efficiency increases in the manufacturing and use of products along value chains and during the life cycle of the product; by reducing or eliminating the emission of non-fuel-related greenhouse gas emissions; and by assisting in achieving the objectives of and compliance with multilateral environmental agreements. In doing so, its activities further improve competitiveness, as well as the development of and access to markets, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. This contributes to climate-neutral, resilient, pollution-free industrial development, supporting co-existence that is in harmony with nature.

This position is located under the Circular Industrial Resource Efficiency Unit (TCS/CEG/CRE) which is responsible for supporting capacity development to promote the adoption of circular and resource-efficient consumption and production patterns across value chains. It fosters circular economy solutions including policies, programmes, practices, and business models that enhance industry profitability while generating social and environmental benefits. Furthermore, it facilitates design for circularity emphasizing reduced or alternative materials inputs, greater durability, reusability, reparability, and ultimately recyclability. The Unit promotes nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches that support the coexistence of industries and nature.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

With direct support from the Project Manager in HQ and in close cooperation with the counterpart, host institution and the project team in the field location and HQ, the Executive Director will be responsible for providing technical advice, leadership and managerial expertise and guidance to the project team to support the implementation of the project as per the project document. Specifically, the Executive Director will be responsible for the following:

Leadership and Managerial

• Serve as the Centre’s principal ambassador, engaging with high-level stakeholders at national, regional and international fora to secure support, funding, and partnerships that advance the mission and vision of the Centre;
• Build and nurture high-level relationships with government entities, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, and academic institutions. Leverage these partnerships to drive collaborative solutions and enhance the Centre’s impact on the transition to a circular economy in Ghana;
• Lead the establishment of strategic public-private-research partnerships, accelerating innovation and enhancing the effectiveness of the Centre’s initiatives. Work to foster a multi-stakeholder approach that supports alignment between government policy, academic research, and industrial development for impactful social, economic and environmental outcomes;
• Forge strong collaborations with key Project partners, including, UNIDO, the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ho Technical University, University of Cape Coast, The Or Foundation, and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Maximize their expertise and resources to scale initiatives in the Plastics, Textiles, and Agriculture sectors;
• Lead resource mobilization efforts, in collaboration with Project partners to secure financial, technological, and human resources necessary to achieve the Centre’s mandate;
• Serve as Chair of the Steering Board and Advisory Board of the Centre, ensuring strong governance, strategic oversight, and operational excellence to drive the Centre’s mission;
• Directly supervise Centre staff and lead a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusion.

Technical

• Engage in policy dialogue with relevant stakeholders, providing expert advice to government agencies and Project stakeholders on institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks supporting a circular economy;
• Guide the development of educational programs, training workshops, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at promoting circular economy principles;
• Identify opportunities to expand the reach of educational programs, particularly within underrepresented communities, focusing on women and youth empowerment;
• Support the organization of annual events, including networking events, conferences and workshops in cooperation with the HI and VC Leads;
• Work with women and youth networks to increase engagement and representation of these groups in the Centre’s initiatives;
• Support the Centre in knowledge management activities to ensure it serves as a central hub for knowledge exchange, promoting the dissemination of best practices in circular economy and sustainable development nationally, regionally and internationally;
• Collaborate with national, regional and international partners to build a strong knowledge management system for the Centre that facilitates learning and replication of successful circular economy models in Ghana and around the world;
• Oversee budgeting, financial management, and ensure the effective and efficient use of Project resources;
• Operationalize the Environmental Social Management Plan, Intersectional Gender Strategy and Action Plan, Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and Youth Strategy and Action Plan and support the development of the Centre’s Climate Action Plan.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in a relevant field (e.g., environmental science, sustainable development, business administration, economics, engineering, science or related disciplines), is required.

Technical and Functional Experience

• At least ten (10) years of progressive experience in coordinating and implementing development programmes and/or projects within either the private sector or public sector organizations at an international level, including a minimum of 6 years senior leadership experience, preferably within the sustainability, circular economy, or international development sectors, is required;
• Proven track record of managing complex projects and working with diverse stakeholders, including government, the private sector, civil society, and academia, is required;
• Strong regional and international network and previous experience collaborating with regional/international partners in a relevant field(s) (e.g., circular economy, sustainable development, international development, industrialization and trade, community economic development, innovation, sustainable investing, climate finance or related fields), is required;
• Experience in resource mobilization, including securing funding from international organizations, government bodies, and private sector partners, is required;
• Experience managing teams and performing supervisory function of technical and/or non-technical teams, preferably at international level, is required;
• Strong understanding of circular economy principles, sustainable development goals (SDGs), and climate action policies, is desirable;
• Outstanding communication and public speaking abilities, with proven experience in advocacy and policy dialogue, is desirable;
• Experience in working with the UN system, international organizations or non-governmental organizations and with the donor community, is desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language, especially French, is desirable. Fluency and/or working knowledge of other local languages is desirable.

Application instructions

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