SeniorFull TimeEN
Requisition ID: 7429
Grade: ISA-NOC
Country: Home Based
Duty Station: Home Based
Category: National Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-WAE
Contract Duration: 14 working days over a 3-month period
Application deadline: 14-May-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 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 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.
Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all relevant organizational entities within UNIDO, 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 Division of Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA) assists Member States in the transition to low-carbon and climate resilient economies through the promotion of renewable energy, energy efficiency solutions and breakthrough technologies in industry and other key sectors, diversifying supply chains for renewable energy manufacturing and stimulating innovation to address critical climate and energy related challenges.
The Division assists governments in fulfilling national commitments under the Paris Agreement and progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, thereby facilitating a just transition towards sustainable industrialization. In transitioning to a low-carbon and climate resilient economies, the challenges of addressing energy poverty and climate change are an integral part of the Division's activities, as is the dissemination of policies, knowledge and technologies and pathways to plan, manage and finance the energy transitions and climate action for industrial transformation. It collaborates closely on converging issues with IET/CTP and TCS/CMP.
The position is located under the Sustainable and Just Energy Transitions Unit (TCS/ECA/JET) focuses on promoting energy for development and leveraging technology innovation and social inclusion to lead a just energy transition. It promotes the modernization of energy infrastructure to drive decoupling growth from emissions and deploys de-risking approaches to channel public and private investments to accelerate energy access and industrial development. It supports Members States in building and diversifying renewable energy supply chains and fostering manufacturing capabilities to achieve a just energy 47 transition for all. The unit also supports the integration of energy system design into the wider development objectives and helps countries navigate the trade-offs for energy development while ensure compliance with social and environmental norms. Finally, the Unit coordinates the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres and related partnerships and uses regional policies and approaches to achieve economies of scale.
PROJECT CONTEXT
The Ministry of Industry of the State of Palestine, with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), and the technical support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), is leading the project titled “Developing an energy-sustainable shoe village in Hebron for the decarbonization and sustainable development of the footwear value chain in the State of Palestine” (ID220173).
The initiative aims to restore the competitiveness and resilience of the Hebron-based leather and footwear sector, once a thriving industry that has suffered significant decline over the past few decades. By facilitating the development of a Sustainable Shoe Village (SSV) – an integrated industrial hub incorporating sustainable infrastructure and low-carbon energy solutions – the project reflects Italy’s and UNIDO’s commitment to supporting inclusive and sustainable industrial development, promoting low-emission technologies, boosting entrepreneurship, and enhancing local value chains in line with climate and development priorities.
In close collaboration with the Palestinian public and private sector partners, the Sustainable Shoe Village will host a Common Facility Centre, offering shared services, modern equipment, and infrastructure to foster design innovation, technical upgrading, and skills development for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The Village will serve as a hub for energy-efficient production, export facilitation, and circular economy practices – incorporating clean energy solutions and infrastructure with a low carbon footprint. The project will leverage UNIDO’s extensive expertise in sustainable energy and the leather value chain and will include linkages to international partners.
The development of the SSV is being advanced on the private‑sector side by the Shoe Village Company (SVC), a dedicated special‑purpose entity established by the private sector with facilitation from Hebron Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) and the Palestinian Federation of Leather and Footwear Industries (PFLI). SVC has acquired the full 32‑hectare site identified for the Village and is expected to take on the role of developer and future operator of the SSV, pending compliance with national regulatory requirements and its formal designation under the emerging legal framework governing private industrial areas in Palestine. As the landholding entity and initiating private‑sector champion, SVC is anticipated to play a central role in coordinating planning efforts, engaging with public institutions, facilitating investment, and overseeing the phased development and long‑term operations of the Village. Ensuring that SVC possesses the governance, managerial, technical, and operational capacities expected from modern industrial park developers and operators is therefore a fundamental prerequisite for the successful and sustainable implementation of the SSV.
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager (i.e., a UNIDO staff member responsible for the overall implementation of the project) and in close cooperation with the project team in the HQ and field location, Institutional Development Expert will be responsible for the following main duties:
Concrete/measurable
Outputs to be achieved
Expected duration
Location
Conduct rapid institutional diagnostics including:
2 days
Home based with mission to Hebron and Ramallah as needed
Development of governance and bylaws package including:
3 days
Home based
Development of organizational structure, staffing plan and job descriptions including:
3 days
Home based
Development of Financial and Administrative Systems including:
2 days
Home based
Develop a Practical and Action-Oriented Capacity Development Action Plan, including:
Capacity Development Action Plan with time-bound and feasible recommendations
2 days
Home Based
Hold a 2-hour validation workshop with the SVC and project Stakeholders
PowerPoint presentations presenting assessment results and recommended action plan,
1 day
In person or online as will be agreed
Submission of Final report incorporating feedback from the validation workshop
Submission of Final Report (including system pack)
1 day
Home based
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in economics, public administration, business administration, engineering, 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:
Languages: Fluency in written and spoken Arabic is required. Working knowledge of English is required.
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 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
