UNIDO is Hiring a Competitive Person as Project Coordinator

Table of Contents

Project Coordinator

Requisition ID: 6254
Grade: ISA-P3
Country: Home-Based
Duty Station: Home-Based
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Non-staff WAE
Contract Duration: 52 working days over a period
Application Deadline: 30-Sep-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

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 mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013, as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States.

The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”.

The relevance of ISID, however, applies to a greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured into four strategic priorities: creating shared prosperity, advancing economic competitiveness, safeguarding the environment, and strengthening knowledge and institutions.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains several individual programmes, which are implemented holistically to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs, and Country Offices.

The Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, oversees the Organization’s development of capacities for industrial development as well as industrial policy advice, statistics, and research activities, and the Organization’s normative contribution to Member States and the global development community in achieving the SDGs.

The Directorate also ensures the application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to the Environment, Energy, SMEs, competitiveness, job creation, as well as Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute toward effective and appropriate technical, business, and policy solutions and are focused on results and on realizing any potential for scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.

The Directorate houses the technical Divisions of Capacity Development and Industrial Policy Advice (TCS/CAP); Circular Economy and Environmental Protection (TCS/CEP); Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy (TCS/DSE); SMEs, Competitiveness and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and AI Strategies (TCS/DAS). The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO) and the Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET).

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, with a particular emphasis on business development for SMEs engaged in manufacturing and job creation.

It aims at increasing competitiveness among SMEs 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 SME 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.

The position is in the MSME Development and Job Creation Unit (TCS/MSME/MDJ). The SME Development and Job Creation Unit (TCS/SME/MDJ) 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.

DGB/2022/19: UNIDO Secretariat Structure 2022

PROJECTS CONTEXT

(1) Digital technology skills to enhance employability in Iraq (Project No. 210135)

Iraq is facing economic challenges, including high unemployment, poverty, and a lack of livelihood opportunities, as well as ongoing insecurity and political instability. The COVID-19 pandemic and the devaluation of the Iraqi dinar against the US dollar have exacerbated these issues.

The country’s labour market is unfavourable for both formal employment and self-employment/entrepreneurship, and the private sector remains largely underdeveloped. Young Iraqis make up a large portion of the population and are facing high rates of unemployment, particularly young women. Many young people in Iraq lack the skills and experience necessary to enter the workforce and are not well-prepared to take advantage of the growing digital economy. The challenge is to turn Iraq’s youth population into a productive economic resource and help them find employment and livelihood opportunities.

In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Framework and the National Development Plan of Iraq, as well as Iraq’s 2030 National Youth Vision, the project aims to increase access to digital literacy and skills in Iraq to address unemployment and the lack of livelihoods.

This will be achieved by partnering with the Directorate of Migration and Crisis Response (DMCR) to deliver basic digital skills training to Iraqi youth. The project also conducts a needs assessment to identify the capacity-building needs of institutional staff and design and implement training programs for beneficiaries, preparing them for employment in the private sector. Additionally, the project establishes a monitoring system utilizing indicators for industrial recovery and private sector development, and develops a visibility plan for the project.

(2) Emergency livelihood support to internally displaced persons affected by camp closures and host community members for the development of an inclusive market system (Project No. 240214)

From 2014 to 2017, Iraq endured devastating conflict with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), leading to nearly six million people becoming Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Although Iraq has made considerable strides towards recovery, areas of origin are still in volatile security and economic situations. Whilst the government announced the closure of IDP camps by July 2024, the resolution’s complete execution remains pending. As of August 2024, around 4.9 million IDPs had returned home, leaving 1.1 million still displaced.

Despite the improved situation, Iraq’s economy struggles, with scant employment opportunities, especially for IDPs and women. The closure of IDP camps has heightened hardships such as disrupted livelihoods and limited access to services, posing risks of further displacement.

Addressing the urgent need for sustainable livelihoods and fostering an environment conducive to voluntary and safe return, resettlement, and local integration, the project aims to enhance entrepreneurship among unemployed IDPs and host community members in areas of return, resettlement, or local integration.

The goal will be achieved by providing entrepreneurship training and essential equipment, tools, and supplies to help alleviate the issue of having no or limited start-up capital and start a business within a short period after receiving support. This approach will address the critical need for creating sustainable income-generating opportunities in the absence of wage employment.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager (PM) and close cooperation with the project team in the HQ and field location, the International Project Coordinator will be responsible for the performance of the following main duties:

Project coordination and implementation

Advise the PM in preparing detailed work plans and budget, design monitoring and evaluation tools for the project activities;
Coordinate the execution of all activities leading to the successful implementation of the projects in the country, including implementation, quality control, and monitoring of all project activities in the country.
Liaise with the international donor community and government counterparts, provide regular updates, financial reports, and troubleshoot problems as required;
Attend key meetings related to the projects and act as the focal point of the projects at the international level.
Organize and conduct briefings and debriefings on projects for the country, sub-regional aspects, resources, and development towards maximizing project performance level;
Coordinate the preparation of terms of reference (ToRs) for the recruitment of international and national project consultants and contractors;
Coordinate the preparation of technical requirements/technical specifications for procurement, including designing of technical requirements, elaboration of relevant questions from tenders, evaluations, etc., ensuring compliance with the relevant UNIDO administrative rules and policies;
Supervise the work of the national team assigned to work on the projects and/or to perform ad-hoc activities;
Take project initiatives to enhance the programme’s success, including partnership opportunities with the private sector.
Conduct research and assist in identifying innovative technologies and make recommendations.

Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting

Monitor/execute all project-related activities identified and outlined in the project work plans;
Prepare the inception and progress reports for Project No. 240214 according to donor specifications and UNIDO requirements.
Prepare ad-hoc project reports upon request of the PM, the donors, and/or the counterparts;
Prepare a final report at the end of the contract, also referred to as an end-of-assignment report, comprising performed tasks and all relevant information;
Coordinate the preparation of steering committee (SC) meetings and provide relevant documentation, including drafting TORs of the SC;
Identify lessons learned and propose adaptations and improvements to monitoring and assessment mechanisms and tools.

Project promotion, outreach, and external relations

Establish and maintain relations and exchange of information with the local authorities, private sector institutions, enterprises, support institutions, and other development partners;
Presents the projects, project progress, and results to the donors and partners to keep them updated at regular intervals; presents the projects at annual SC meetings, liaises project activities with the donors and partners, and manages regular reporting, including budget-related aspects of the financing agreement;
Ensures compliance with the implementation of the donor visibility requirements and proper implementation of the projects’ communications and visibility plans;
Participates in key sector coordination meetings convened by the Government or development partners relevant to the action;
Oversee the dissemination of project knowledge to the wider public by proposing examples of best practices and success stories, as well as replicable strategies and approaches.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in economics, business administration, industrial engineering, development studies, or other relevant discipline is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

At least five (5) years of professional experience in the field of job creation and MSME development with a focus on entrepreneurship development through the implementation of technical cooperation or development programmes/projects at the international level is required.
Experience/knowledge of the UN system, other development agencies, donor communities, private sectors, government, and relevant development institutions is required.
Experience in managing projects in post-conflict regions supporting displaced people is desirable.
Experience working in Iraq and/or in the Arab region is an asset.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency in written and spoken Arabic is desirable.

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.

This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal.
Employees of UNIDO are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity at all times, both in the workplace and in their personal lives. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

To apply, CLICK HERE

NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.

Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing, or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unido.org