Senior Specialist (Industrial Parks Governance & Institutional Frameworks)

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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 of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration (2013), the Abu Dhabi Declaration (2019), and the Riyadh Declaration (2025), is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.”

The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) 2026 – 2029 is UNIDO’s core strategic document, setting a renewed vision to support Member States through priorities such as sustainable supply chains, ending hunger through innovation, renewable energy, and climate action. UNIDO operates through four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions; (iii) normative functions and standards; and (iv) convening partnerships for knowledge and technology transfer.

Sustainable Investments and Responsible Business Unit (IET/PST/SIB)

This Unit fosters the uptake of responsible business conduct across global value chains. It induces responsible investments, supports Member States in enhancing policy frameworks to comply with international standards, and facilitates cooperation between firms and policy actors to advance reforms and transformative supply chain investments.

Rural Development, Agro-industries and Industrial Parks Unit (IET/AGR/RAP)

This Unit aims to improve rural livelihoods by extending agro-industrial production and employment. It provides technical cooperation (TC) services for enterprise development, technology adoption, and quality compliance. Crucially, the Unit supports the development of Industrial Parks (IPs) and Integrated Agro-Food Parks (IAFPs) as key instruments to promote industrialization and private sector development.

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FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Senior Consultant may work across one or more projects and will be responsible for the following main duties:

• Contribute to assessments of policy, regulatory, institutional, and market frameworks relevant to IP and IAFP development.
• Contribute to the preparation and review of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, including technical, financial, and economic analyses.
• Advise on institutional arrangements and governance models, including roles of public authorities, park operators, and private stakeholders.
• Support the design of private-public partnerships (PPP) and investment structures, including special purpose vehicle (SPV) options, risk allocation, and financing approaches.
• Contribute to the development of technical guidelines, tools, and knowledge products related to IPs and IAFPs.
• Support the identification and analysis of priority value chains and their integration into park-based development models.
• Provide technical inputs to master planning and infrastructure requirements, including utilities, logistics, and agro-processing facilities.
• Provide technical inputs to environmental, social, and climate considerations in park design and implementation.
• Contribute to implementation planning, including sequencing of investments, institutional measures, and operational set-up.
• Support stakeholder consultations, capacity-building activities, and validation workshops.

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MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, engineering, agribusiness, finance, or related disciplines, is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least ten (10) years of professional experience in industrial park, SEZ, or agro-industrial development.
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more domains: Institutional and governance frameworks, PPP and investment structuring, Technical design/master planning, or Feasibility/financial analysis.
• Experience working as part of multidisciplinary teams on complex infrastructure projects is required.
• Experience working in developing countries, particularly within the African context, is required.
• Experience in preparing or reviewing bankable project documentation (e.g. feasibility studies) is an asset.
• Familiarity with UN technical assistance projects is desirable.

Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Fluency in written and spoken French is desirable.

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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 manner.
• WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: Work effectively regardless of culture and perspective.

Key Competencies:

• WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: Emotional intelligence and receptiveness.
• WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Effectively organizing and managing work.
• WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: Building environments of trust.
• WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: Continuously improving and sharing knowledge.

Managerial and Leadership Competencies:

• WE ARE STRATEGIC, DECISIVE, PRINCIPLED AND INSPIRATIONAL.
• WE ARE INCLUSIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE.
• WE ARE MULTI-DIMENSIONAL AND TRANSFORMATIONAL.
• WE ARE COLLABORATIVE AND CO-CREATIVE.

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How to Apply

All applications must be submitted online through the: >> Online Recruitment System

Application Deadline: Refer to the official portal for specific closing dates.

Note: * Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates considered at an advanced phase.

• Female candidates and qualified persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
• UNIDO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

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