​Requisition ID: 7891 
Grade: ISA-NOC 
Country: Multiple Countries 
Duty Station: Multiple Countries 
Category: National Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Contract Duration: 30 days WAE over 5 months
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 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.

 

UNIDO Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Division

 

The Directorate of Strategic Planning, Programming and Policy (SPP), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible and accountable for UNIDO’s strategic planning and programming through the provision of coordinated and cohesive frameworks and policy advice. It plays the central role for UNIDO regarding the engagement in South- South and Triangular Cooperation matters, the strategic positioning of UNIDO within the United Nation system, strategic engagement in multilateral fora including BRICS, G20 and G7. It also leads the promotion of Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women through mainstreaming gender considerations at the institutional and programmatic level. In addition, the Directorate oversees the Organization’s industrial policy research, statistics and SDG9 reporting activities, and normative function, and ensures a cohesive and consistent approach to Knowledge Management (KM) in UNIDO.

 

This position is located under Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Division (SPP/GEW), which under the overall direction of the Gender Mainstreaming Board (GMB) and the supervision of the Managing Director of COR (COR/OMD), is responsible for the implementation of UNIDO’s 2019 Gender Policy as well as the Strategy for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women 2024-2027.

The Unit coordinates the formulation, implementation, review and reporting of the four yearly Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (GEEW) strategies, identifies trends, best practices and challenges in gender mainstreaming, serves as UNIDO’s focal point for gender equality and women’s empowerment within the UN system and externally, coordinates development of indicators and benchmarks, provides guidance and facilitates gender related training for staff and promotes knowledge sharing. The Unit also coordinates the Gender Focal Points Network and serves as the Secretariat of the GMB.

 

The aim of this call for expression of interest is to establish a two-years roster of qualified candidates for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Division (SPP/GEW). Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a personal assessment, which may involve written assignment and personal interview. Upon successful completion of the application process, selected candidates will be added to the Gender Expert’s Roster and could be approached by UNIDO.

 

Project Context: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Accelerator

 

This pilot project seeks to improve gender mainstreaming of selected UNIDO programmes and projects during their implementation phase. The assumption is that enhanced gender expertise and capability among the project personnel, stakeholders and key beneficiaries as well as increased number of meaningful gender-specific interventions, will lead to better gender results. If this hypothesis is proven correct through this project, UNIDO Division for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women can optimize this evidence to hasten its effort to mobilize funds to support additional UNIDO programmes and projects to accelerate gender results.

 

Specifically, the goal of this project is to accelerate and improve results on gender equality and the empowerment of women of a number of selected UNIDO programmes and projects. To achieve this, the project aims to enhance the capability of UNIDO project management teams, key stakeholders and beneficiaries to mainstream gender perspectives effectively into the supported programmes and projects.

 

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Within the duration of the assignment, the National Gender Expert is expected to act as the main focal point for all gender-related activities of the project. Specifically, under the direct supervision and guidance of the project manager and in close collaboration with industry/sector experts, the National Gender Expert will assume the tasks shown in the table below and any additional tasks as deemed necessary by the project manager.

 

DUTIES	CONCRETE/ MEASURABLE OUTPUTS	Location
Conduct in-depth reviews and assessments of project design and implementation with a gender lens, taking into account the local context.	Review is conducted and potential gaps are identified	Home based with possibility of mission as required (China, Thailand, India, Nepal, Iran, Cambodia)
If not already established, collect sex-disaggregated baseline data that will be used to monitor gender impacts.	Baseline established
Assess the gender “awareness” and “sensitivity’’ of project beneficiaries and stakeholders.	Assessment of gender awareness/ sensitivity of project stakeholders is undertaken
Conduct gender sensitization training for project staff at all levels and maintain the desired level of gender awareness.	Gender sensitization training is conducted
Develop or update a Gender Action Plan for the project containing concrete activities leading to gender-related results.	Gender Action Plan drafted/updated
Assist in the recruitment of project staff to ensure gender equality in recruitment and a gender focus in staff competencies to support implementation of gender activities.	Site visits are conducted, and data is collected on a regular basis
Conduct regular site visits to monitor implementation of gender activities, collect sex-disaggregate data on gender responsive targets and indicators, and prepare corresponding progress reports.	Gender results are systematically monitored and regularly reported
Identify any unanticipated risks and/or negative gender impacts. Adjust and/or develop project activities to mitigate these issues as needed.	Unanticipated risks and/or negative gender impacts, if any, are identified and addressed
Engage and provide necessary support to the relevant government agencies, NGOs, community-based organizations, and women’s associations or groups whose work focuses on gender and the specific area of intervention to facilitate collaboration and enhance the gender results of project implementation.	Relevant government agencies, NGOs, community-based organizations, and women’s associations or groups (in country) are identified and regularly consulted/supported throughout the project

 

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

 

Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in social or natural sciences, or other relevant discipline with specialization in human development, gender mainstreaming or sustainable development 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 gender equality and gender mainstreaming is required.
• Experience in gender analysis tools and methodologies in the specific area of intervention and gender planning and demonstrated expertise in mainstreaming gender in projects/programmes is required.
• Thorough understanding of the gender context in country or region, and experience working with government institutions and international or non-governmental organizations supporting gender and development work in the specific area of intervention is required.
• Formal training in gender analysis and gender planning and demonstrated expertise in mainstreaming gender in projects and programmes, especially in the specific area of intervention is desirable
• Experience with gender analysis tools and methodologies is desirable.
• Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in the country or similar country in the region is desirable.
• Strong communication skills, and ability to liaise with various stakeholders, including government officials is desirable.

 

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of other UN language and in particular working languages of the local context is desirable.

 

*This position is open to nationals and legally resident individuals of China, Thailand, India, Nepal, Iran, and Cambodia. The selected National Gender Expert must be a national of, or hold legal residency in, the country of assignment.

 

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