National Technical Coordinator

​Requisition ID: 6559 
Grade: ISA-NOD 
Country: South Africa 
Duty Station: Pretoria 
Category: National Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Non-staff Regular
Contract Duration: 1 year (with the possibility of extension)
Application deadline: 22-Dec-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Only nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are considered eligible.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
 

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 UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declarationadopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of 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.

The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) is UNIDO’s core strategic document. As the Organization moves from the 2022–2025 cycle to the 2026–2029 MTPF, it sets a renewed vision to support Member States shape their industries for development. The new priorities include renewable and clean energy, sustainable access and climate action, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, and fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains. Cross-cutting priorities focus on industrial and economic policy advice, skills development, fostering digitalization and artificial intelligence, gender equality and the empowerment of women, supporting youth, promoting cleaner production and circular economy, and leveraging private sector investment and development finance.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner 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, Sub-regional Offices and Country Offices.

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.

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, especially emphasizing business development of MSMEs engaged in manufacturing and creating jobs therein. It aims at increasing competitiveness among MSMEs 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 MSME 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.

This position is located under the Competitiveness, Quality and Compliance Unit (TCS/SME/CQC) which builds national and regional production and quality infrastructure systems, with an emphasis on providing internationally recognized services, facilitating MSME participation in regional and global value chains; strengthening institutional quality infrastructure capacities; building conformity assessment capacities; and supporting market access and quality awareness with the public sector, economic operators and consumers, placing a special emphasis on capacitating MSMEs. 

PROJECT CONTEXT

Global Quality and Standards Programme South Africa, Phase II: unlocking the export potential of essential and vegetable oils (SAP ID 230070)

Since September 2018, the Global Quality Standards Programme (GQSP) has focused on strengthening the South African essential and vegetable oils value chain by leveraging the services of the enablers, which includes the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI), and strengthening conformity assessment services, supporting SME compliance to international standards and technical regulations, and generally focusing on promoting a culture of quality. The aim was to facilitate sustainable, profitable, and competitive market access for SMEs within the essential and vegetable oils sector by strengthening the quality of essential and vegetable oils exports from South Africa. Whilst the focus was on South Africa, other SADC member states also participated and benefitted from events, webinars, conferences and training.

The GQSP-SA Phase II project will intensify the support to develop the essential and vegetable oils value chain with new systems and technologies whilst building on the foundation and success of the GQSP-SA Phase I project. Phase II aims to further strengthen the South(ern) African essential and vegetable oils value chain to enable sustainable and competitive market access for Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs). Following a series of consultations with stakeholders, there was general agreement that the support for the essential and vegetable oils value chain and the project-focus species should continue given that the concept of quality and standards is a new concept to a large portion of SMEs in this industry. Three complementary outcomes for the GQSP-SA Phase II programme are:

•    Outcome 1: Technical competence and sustainability of the National Quality Infrastructure (QI) system is enhanced. 
•    Outcome 2: SME compliance with international standards and technical regulations is strengthened
•    Outcome 3: A conducive policy environment and culture for quality are strengthened.

Whilst the work that was initiated in Phase I will be intensified, new initiatives will be added, e.g., digitalization, introduction of new technologies and support to the dtic for the development of a national quality policy for South Africa.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The National Technical Coordinator is locally recruited staff, he/she will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager (PM) in the Competitiveness, Quality and Compliance Unit (TCS/SME/CQC), UNIDO Headquarters in Vienna. The National Technical Coordinator makes recommendations on technical issues and coordinates the implementation of the national activities of the project and ensures the technical completion of activities. The National Technical Coordinator is responsible for following-up implementation of technical and administrative activities of the project at national level. The National Technical Coordinator reports to the Project Manager in Vienna. Based in Pretoria for which he/she is recruited, the National Technical Coordinator oversees the following main tasks:

MAIN DUTIES

TECHNICAL

Project coordination

• Ensure consistency within the UNIDO project components/outputs and activities, particularly related to Standards, Quality Assurance, Accreditation and Metrology (SQAM).
• Propose capacity-building programmes in areas relevant to the project.
• Provide strategic advice and revise overall work plan and budget in cooperation with the PM, Senior Project Assistant and Project Administrator based in HQ.
• Analyze reports submitted by experts and service providers for compliance against deliverables defined in the ToRs; Consider and implement recommendations as appropriate.
• Conduct regular meetings with counterparts to ensure smooth coordination and stakeholder engagement.
• Identify linkages that each component should establish with other interventions funded by the donor together with the other project experts.
• Undertake any other tasks related to the project as specified by the PM.

Project implementation

• Provide advice to the PM and relevant sector‐specific stakeholders related to the Project for technical and advisory services on the overall project objective, with focus on SQAM.
• Develop ToRs and Job descriptions to recruit experts and sub-contractors.  
• In collaboration with Government departments, Government entities and other partners, deliver activities according to the project document and work plan, integrating best practice and applying quality management standards and a results-based approach.
• Ensure the technical supervision for national and international technical experts’ missions, ensuring adherence to standards, quality assurance, accreditation and metrology objectives.
• Prepare articles on project achievements for publication in the written media and/or social media to ensure project visibility.
• Undertake any other tasks related to the project as specified by the PM.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Assess implementation progress and report on project results/achievements in line with IRPF requirements.
• Plan, prepare ToRs and Recommendations for activities and monitor execution of all project related activities identified and outlined in the project work plan.
• Prepare GQSP Stakeholder (SC) and National Steering Committees (NSC) meeting documentation and be responsible for follow-up actions. The Project Management and Coordination Arrangements, Terms of Reference for the Stakeholders and National Steering Committee meetings as agreed by the SC and NSC applies.
• Draft 6-monthly progress reports for submission to SECO (progress report no. 1 for January – June and progress report no. 2 for July – December).
• Draft 6-monthly progress reports for PMU for the GQSP global report using the templates supplied.
• Support the PM in coordinating mid-term and/or final evaluation.

External relations

• Establish and maintain relations and information exchange with the dtic (Department of Trade Industry and Competition), SECO, private sector institutions, enterprises, support institutions and other development partners.
• Ensure compliance and implementation of the GQSP Communication Strategy and Visual Guidelines. 
• Participate in key sector coordination meetings convened by the Government or SECO relevant to the project.
• Ensure coordination of the project's national technical and administrative activities, actively involving government counterparts, the private sector, and other relevant institutions.

Administrative and financial management

• Ensure, the project’s administrative and financial management at national level.
• Prepare budget proposals and Terms of Reference/Request for Quotation for subcontractors for the implementation of national activities.
• Coordinate and facilitate, at national level, the missions of HQ, international and national experts and subcontractors.

End of current contract period

• Prepare a report outlining progress against each of the main tasks.

Final phase of project and project closure (if applicable)

• Conduct a close-out evaluation which includes, but not limited to, an assessment of achievements against the project objectives, deliverables, key performance areas and targets.
• Conduct a Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey.
• Prepare text for a publication on achievements and impact of the project.
• Prepare a final report comprising all relevant information compiled from interim and previous reports and submit to UNIDO at the end of the project.

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.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in science, engineering, agro-industries, business administration or other relevant discipline is required

Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least seven (7) years of progressive professional experience in coordinating and implementing development programmes and/or projects within either a private sector or public sector organization at national and/or international level, is required.
• Experience in the field of livelihood support through implementation of technical cooperation or development programmes/projects is desired.
• Good general knowledge of issues related to standardization, metrology, accreditation, conformity assessment (testing, inspection and certification) and quality promotion is required.  More specifically experience in at least two of technical areas in the SADC region is desirable.
• Good general knowledge of WTO Agreements on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) or on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) is required.
• Experience in building relationships with stakeholdersis required.
• Experience in drafting technical reports and publications is required.
• Good computer skills using Microsoft is required.
• Experience in working with the UN system, international organizations or non-governmental organizations and with the donor’s community, is desirable.
• Experience/knowledge of the international development agenda, and strategic issues of economic transformation, is desirable.
• Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems of developing countries is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal.
Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside. 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.

Visit the UNIDO website for details on how to apply: www.unido.org

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