Requisition ID: 7898
Grade: ISA-NOC
Country: South Africa
Duty Station: Pretoria
Category: National Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 6 months (with possibility of extension)
Application deadline: 31-Aug-2026, 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.
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 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 of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, ensures the Organization's application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to environment, energy, Micro, Small and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs), and digitalization. The Directorate also oversees the Organization's normative contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through industrial policy advice and capacity development. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute to effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results, scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.
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 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]
PROJECT CONTEXT
The position is located within the project “Climate and Biodiversity Action through Circular Economy Solutions (CB-ACES)” (Project ID: 240030), funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Government.
The overall objective of the project is to reduce negative impacts on climate and biodiversity by transforming selected sectors and value chains in the partner countries Brazil, Mexico and South Africa towards a socially just circular economy (CE).
CB-ACES operates across five mutually reinforcing outputs: Output I strengthens the policy and regulatory environment for CE in alignment with national climate and biodiversity commitments and international supply chain requirements; Output II builds the capacity of firms, intermediaries, and government actors to design and implement CE practices in priority sectors; Output III implements and documents CE business models with selected pilot firms, focusing on SMEs, women-led enterprises, and cooperatives; Output IV addresses the finance gap by assessing the CE finance landscape, building capacity among financial institutions, and structuring pilot business cases for bankability; and Output V delivers gender-responsive capacity building, networks, and knowledge products across all project components.
The National Project Coordinator for South Africa will coordinate the project activities in South Africa under the direct supervision of the Project Manager at UNIDO HQ and close cooperation with the HQ-based project team. She/he will head the local Project Management Unit (PMU), comprising of the National Project Coordinator, a National Project Assistant, and additional personnel as required. The National Project Coordinator will also coordinate the work of additional experts engaged for the implementation of the project activities in South Africa. Furthermore, the National Project Coordinator will provide inputs for and assist in the coordination with the project components implemented in the other partner countries of the project.
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and close cooperation with the project team in the HQ and field location, the National Project Coordinator will be responsible for the performance of the following main duties:
MAIN DUTIES |
Concrete/measurable Outputs to be achieved |
Location |
|
Project Coordination and Implementation Advise the Project Manager in preparing detailed work plan and budget, design monitoring and evaluation tool for the project activities; Coordinate the execution of all activities leading to the successful implementation of the project in the country, including implementation, quality control and monitoring of all project activities in the country; Liaise with government counterparts, provide regular updates, financial reports and troubleshot problems as required; Attend key meetings related to the project and act as the focal point of the project at national 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 ToRs for recruitment of national project consultants and contractors; Support the Project Manager in organizing and aligning the work of the local project team; 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; Take project initiatives to enhance the success of the programme including partnerships opportunities with private sector; Maintain close links with other private sector development initiatives to ensure a consistent and integrated approach. |
Preparation/plan for the implementation of the project prepared in timely manner and approved by the PM. Project activities, implemented in close collaboration with national counterparts at a high standard and with results- based approach. Effective liaison with government counterpart established. National experts guided and empowered so as to produce high quality project outputs and deliverables. Procurement approaches streamlined and according to UNIDO rules and regulations; Tender documents are of high quality and prepared in a timely manner. Effective partnership maintained. |
Pretoria/sites of CE interventions |
|
Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Provide inputs for strategic advice in the elaboration of the operational planning and monitoring system for the project; Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation for the activities of the project using appropriate tools with output verifiable indicators; Execute the administrative and financial monitoring of the project and its activities; Coordinate the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reporting for the programme according to donor specifications and UNIDO requirements; Coordinate the preparation of a final report at the end of the contract comprising all relevant information compiled from the interim reports, conclusions and recommendations; Lead the coordination and preparation of steering committee meetings (SCs), including preparing ToRs. |
Project monitoring framework drafted. Project log frame revised. Project reporting templates drawn up. Reports are prepared and submitted as agreed and planned. Final report prepared and submitted to the PM. ToRs prepared, the SCs meetings run smoothly. Meeting minutes template filled in and sent to PMs following every meeting (including phone calls or web based) Effective liaison with government counterpart established. |
Pretoria/sites of CE interventions |
|
External Relations Maintain networks and partnerships with national institutions, private sector, UN project partners; Coordinate 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. |
Partnerships with project partners strengthened. Communications strategy completed and success stories and lessons learned, disseminated through identified appropriate media. |
Pretoria/sites of CE interventions |
|
Final phase Prepare a consolidated final report of the programme/project in close consultation with all the stakeholders and submit to UNIDO by the end of the programme/project. |
Final report produced. |
Pretoria/sites of CE interventions |
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in economics, engineering, sciences, environment, business administration, or other relevant discipline is required.
Alternatively, a first level university degree or an advanced technical college diploma may be acceptable provided it is combined with additional 5 years of professional hand-on experience that is directly relevant to the expertise required by the specific assignment.
Technical and Functional Experience:
- At least five (5) years of professional experience in coordinating the implementation of development/technical cooperation programmes/projects at national level, is required.
- Experience in evaluating the needs conditions and problems of the country or similar country in the region is required.
- Experience/knowledge of other development agencies, donor communities, the private sector, government and relevant institutions in the country or similar countries in the region is desirable.
- Project management experience in the area of circular economy or a related field is required.
- Technical and/or project management experience at the intersection of circular economy, climate change mitigation or biodiversity protection in industry is desirable.
- Experience in working within large project consortia comprised of international organizations and other partner institutions is desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with government institutions, private sector, and civil society organizations is required.
- Experience with results-based monitoring and evaluation frameworks for development projects is desirable.
- Knowledge of gender-responsive and socially inclusive approaches to technical cooperation is desirable.
- Experience and proficiency in using Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) is required.
- Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP), such as recruitment, procurement and financial monitoring and reporting, as well as relevant ERP software, is desirable.
Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
CORE VALUES:
- Excellence – Deliver high-quality results; continuously improve performance
- Integrity – Uphold ethical standards; act transparently and responsibly
- Inclusion – Promote respect, diversity, and fairness
- Humility – Show self-awareness; value others’ contributions
- Humanity – Act with compassion; align work with sustainable development
CORE BEHAVIOURS:
- Connect & Collaborate - Build trust through communication and teamwork; Share knowledge and embrace diversity
- Analyse & Plan - Use data and evidence for decision-making; Plan proactively and prioritize effectively
- Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Take ownership and deliver quality outputs; Align work with UNIDO mission and objectives
- Learn and Develop - Continuously develop skills; Seek feedback and share knowledge
- Adapt and Innovate - Respond flexibly to change; Embrace innovation and new approaches
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