UNIDO Country Representative (UCR), Madagascar

Requisition ID: 7263 
Grade: NOD 
Country: Madagascar 
Duty Station: Antananarivo 
Category: Professional and Higher 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Staff-Full-time
Appointment Type: Fixed Term - 100 series
Indicative Minimum Net Annual Salary: 116,842 USD 
Application deadline: 04-May-2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
Only nationals of the country of the duty station are eligible to apply. 
Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

UNIDO welcomes applications from qualified persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to applicants and employees with disabilities to support full participation in the recruitment process and in the performance of their duties.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty and hunger reduction, inclusive and fair globalization and environmental sustainability.  The mission UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declarationadopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013, the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019 as well as the Riyadh Declarationadopted at the twenty-first session of UNIDO General Conference in 2025, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial developmentin Member States. The relevance of this mission 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 inclusive and sustainable industrial development, however, applies to all SDGs.

The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) 2026 - 2029 is UNIDO’s core strategic document and it is in line with UNIDO’s Vision 2050. It sets a renewed vision to support Member States and shape their industries for development. The priorities include fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, renewable and clean energy, sustainable energy access and climate action. 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-related activities; and (iv) convening and fostering partnerships for knowledge and technology transfer, investment mobilization, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Sub-regional Offices and Country Offices.

The Field Offices fall under the overall responsibility of the Division of Regional Bureaus and Field Coordination (GLO/RFO), of the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO). The Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for UNIDO's relations with Member States and all external partners, including through the policymaking organs. It plays a central role for interaction and collaboration with traditional and non-traditional donors; oversees the regional bureaus as well as the network of established field offices, liaison offices and Investment and Technology Promotion Offices; and supports the implementation of particularly complex projects, programmes and special assignments, thus also fulfilling an important role in safeguarding their quality and the reputation of the Organization.

The Division of Regional Bureaus and Field Coordination (GLO/RFO) coordinates the field representation and interventions of UNIDO in Member States and regions. Within this context, the Division is responsible for determining programmatic priorities for UNIDO's services and ensuring that UNIDO responds to the specific needs and requirements of Member States and development partners at the country and regional levels. It facilitates the development of regional strategies, Programmes for Country Partnership (PCPs) and monitors their implementation. The Division encompasses all the UNIDO field offices and the five Regional Bureaus: Africa (GLO/RFO/AFR), also hosting the IDDA III Secretariat; the Arab Region (GLO/RFO/ARB); Asia and the Pacific (GLO/RFO/ASP); Europe and Central Asia (GLO/RFO/EUR); and Latin American and the Caribbean (GLO/RFO/LAC).

The Field Offices are responsible for representing UNIDO in their host country, countries of coverage, as applicable and for maintaining close relations with all relevant stakeholders. They are responsible for identifying development priorities and donors’ technical and funding priorities in the host country, countries of coverage, and for supporting, and/or leading when requested, the formulation, implementation and monitoring of technical cooperation projects and programmes, including PCPs. The Field Offices are also responsible for coordinating and reporting on UNIDO’s activities in their host country, countries of coverage, as applicable and for contributing to the development, operationalization and promotion of regional and sub-regional strategies and policies to ensure the strategic and programmatic consistency of UNIDO’s work, including of its cooperation with and contributions to the United Nations Resident Coordinator Offices (UNRCs)/United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs)/Common Country Assessments (CCAs)/United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs).

The UNIDO Country Office (CO), headed by a senior national professional who shall be designated as the UNIDO Country Representative (UCR) in Madagascar. The CO covers the UNIDO Programmes in Madagascar and is responsible for representing UNIDO in the host country, to promote the Organization as an effective partner for development, and to maintain close contacts with local stakeholders at the country level as appropriate, including government institutions and international entities.

This position is located under the Sub-regional Office in Ethiopia (GLO/RFO/FLD/AFR/ETH.), which is responsible for representing UNIDO, to promote the Organization as an effective partner for development, and to maintain close contacts with local stakeholders at the country level as appropriate, including government institutions and international entities.

The UCR leads the activities of the CO:  to  identify national development and donor funding priorities in the host country and countries of coverage; contribute to the formulation and development of technical cooperation projects and programmes, in collaboration with the relevant technical Departments and other appropriate organizational units; coordinate and report on UNIDO activities in the host country; provide inputs into the development of regional strategies and policies; and strengthen the dialogue with the government, private sector, other UN organizations, bilateral and multilateral assistance providers, including Development Finance Institutions.  The UCR further ensures synergies of the overall UNIDO programme in the host country and countries of coverage and in particular, shall demonstrate leadership and managerial competencies to support the Organization’s core business in the country of coverage within the vision for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID). 

The UCR works under the policy direction of the Director General and the Managing Director, Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), the overall guidance of the Director, Division of Regional Bureaus and Field Coordination (GLO/RFO), and under the direct supervision of the Regional Director in the Sub-Regional and in close cooperation with the Chief, Regional Bureau for Africa at HQs.

The UCR shall collaborate and support UNCT members to drive joint results in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Cooperation Framework.

The UCR supervises the staff under his/her supervision (a) in work that is innovative; (b) in creating an enabling environment which is important to achieving results; (c) in building partnerships through advocacy and championing and (d) in achieving results which affect programme teams.

The UNIDO Staff Performance Management System reinforces the collaboration within formal units as well as among cross-functional teams. In this context, the incumbent collaborates with his/her team and colleagues, in the country as well as in the region and in headquarters.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Representation, communication and engagement with Governments and partners

• Represents UNIDO at the country/regional level as appropriate and maintain close relations with stakeholders and development partners to promote the Organization’s mandate of inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) and serve as the principal conduit for communication for all strategic and programmatic operations.
• Oversees implementation of UNIDO’s Country Programme 2018-2023 in close coordination with the government and Steering Committee members.
• Identifies and assesses local needs and donor priorities to enable an effective alignment of UNIDO’s resource mobilization and partnership development.
• Ensures the alignment of UNIDO initiatives to national strategies and development plans, donor priorities and UNSDCFs.
• Works closely with the UNRC and the UNCT and ensures the integration of ISID, in close contact with relevant entities, into the work of the UNDS, including into the CCA and the UNSDCF, as well as in joint programmes.
• Participates and represents UNIDO in global forums & activities organized by various development partners at the country level and takes the lead in UNIDO-organized events in the country.

Delivery of technical assistance 

• Continuously monitor and analyse the industrial performance of the countries/region of coverage, including preparing and updating country and industry profiles, in cooperation with the Division of Capacity Development, Industrial Policy Advice and Statistics (TCS/CPS);
• Contributes, supports, and/or leads as required, the development and implementation of UNIDO’s regional/country grouping strategies, including for least developed countries, middle-income countries, and the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa, among others.
• Promotes contribute to, and/or lead as required, the implementation of projects/programmes, which normally involve: project identification, preparation of project concept, appraisal, preparation of detailed project documents, project approval and start-up, project implementation, project completion, monitoring and evaluation.
• Carries out selected technical cooperation activities, including acting as the Executing Entity for projects, upon approval by the Office of the Managing Director of GLO.

Monitoring and reporting

• Monitors UNIDO’s activities, including through field visits, and draws/shares lessons to ensure a coherent and systematic approach to UNIDO’s service delivery.
• Oversee TC activities for programme outcomes and results at the ground level and submit bi-annual progress reports, to the Regional Office Hub, copied to the Regional Bureau at HQs, for processing and dissemination within UNIDO.
• Ensures coordination with the activities of UNIDO-established Centres of Excellence in the country, such as the National Cleaner Production Center (NCPC);
• Prepares and submits annual business plans, and monthly and annual reports to the respective Regional
• Coordination Division for the countries/region of coverage.

Resource management

• Manages the financial and human resources of the Field Office and ensures the security and safety of employees and their eligible dependents, as well as the protection of UNIDO assets, property and information.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) or Doctorate in the same fields are accepted with a reduced requirement for years of professional experience.

• First-level university degree (Bachelor’s): at least 10 years of relevant professional experience
• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent): at least 7 years of relevant professional experience
• Doctorate: at least 5 years of relevant professional experience.

Experience, technical knowledge and functional expertise: 

• Progressively responsible professional experience at the national level in the fields of industry and development is required.
• Experience at the senior or team leader level in technical cooperation, including supervising project teams in aspects of the project cycle (project formulation, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation) is required.
• Experience in an international setting similar to the UN system and/or with government engagement is desirable.
• Prior experience in country programming, technical cooperation including resource mobilization in Mali and other countries in the region is desirable.

REQUIRED VALUES AND 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.

Managerial and Leadership Competencies

WE ARE STRATEGIC, DECISIVE, PRINCIPLED AND INSPIRATIONAL: As managers, we are strategic and fair in driving our team’s performance. As leaders, we are a source of inspiration, stand for norms and standards established in the UN Charter and duty bound to defend these ideals with a principled approach.

WE ARE INCLUSIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE: As managers, we are inclusive in our approach and maintain constructive engagement with all our stakeholders. As leaders, we embrace all personnel and stakeholders and are accountable mutually within UNIDO, within the system, to beneficiaries and the public and beyond.

WE ARE MULTI-DIMENSIONAL AND TRANSFORMATIONAL: As managers, we go beyond conventional methods to help our organizational units strengthen their own agility and adaptability to change. As leaders in the UN system, we have a vision, which is integrated and engaged across the pillars of Peace and Security, Human Rights and Development.

WE ARE COLLABORATIVE AND CO-CREATIVE: As managers, we foster a team spirit and create meaningful opportunities to hear the voices of those around us, while realizing that only by working together can we accomplish our mission. As leaders, we see the inter-dependency of imperatives of the UN Charter and personally champion a collaborative inter-agency, multi-stakeholders and cross-thinking approach.

For further information on salaries, refer to the International Civil Service Commission website: https://icsc.un.org/

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 careers site for details on how to apply: https://careers.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