Title:  National Project Coordinator (Kyrgyzstan)

​Requisition ID: 7245 
Grade: ISA-NOC 
Country: Kyrgyzstan 
Duty Station: Bishkek 
Category: National Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Contract Duration: 1 year (8 months over a period of 12 months)
Application deadline: 6-Apr-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.

The Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for the development of innovative UNIDO services in the areas of agro-industry and agribusiness, sustainability standards and fair production, and climate-relevant or climate-improving technologies. It is also, in collaboration with Office of Director General, responsible for developing innovative cooperation concepts, identifying new sources and means of innovative finance and entering into new partnerships with a broad range of relevant stakeholders.

The position is located under the Rural Development, Agro-industries and Industrial Parks Unit (IET/AGR/RAP). The unit aims to improve rural livelihoods by extending and professionalizing agro-industrial production, infrastructure supply and employment. It provides technical cooperation services to develop formal and informal enterprises and entrepreneurs that produce and source agricultural products – directly or through business-development service agents – with support for business planning, technology adoption, investment planning, product improvement, quality compliance and marketing. The Unit also promotes the planning for the development of the infrastructure for the transportation of intermediary and final products and related basic infrastructure required for agro-processing and value addition, making use, among others, of sustainable agro-industrial park development schemes.

PROJECT CONTEXT

The IAFP will serve as one of the flagship initiatives in the framework of the Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) for the Kyrgyz Republic 2025-2029 jointly implemented by the Cabinet of Ministers and UNIDO. Based on a multi-stakeholder partnership between development partners, United Nations agencies, financial institutions and the private sector under the leadership of the Cabinet of Ministers, the PCP will focus on enhancing the competitiveness of the selected industrial sectors, including agro-processing sector, in view of the sector’s export-oriented potential and its high propensity for generating structural transformation and a triggering larger-scale development impact. IAFP will facilitate technology transfer, international partnerships, and infrastructure modernization, ensuring Kyrgyzstan’s integration into regional and global agribusiness markets.

The technical assistance project supports the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic in planning and designing an Integrated Agro-Food Park (IAFP) to advance agro-industrial development, food security, and rural transformation. Key activities include the preparation of a pre-feasibility study to define the park’s location and business case, capacity building for public institutions to strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks, and investment promotion to attract domestic and foreign investors. The initiative directly contributes to Kyrgyzstan’s National Development Strategy 2018–2040, Mid-term Development Programme 2021–2026, and NDP 2030, which prioritize modernization of agro-processing, enhanced value chains, and sustainable trade and logistics. It also aligns with the 2024 Presidential Decree on Agro-Industrial Development and the Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 2030, supporting climate-smart practices and low-carbon growth.

Outcomes will include improved decision-making capacities of the Cabinet of Ministers and relevant ministries, enhanced institutional structures for agro-park development, increased private sector engagement, and strengthened integration of SMEs and smallholder farmers into higher-value commercial chains.

The Ultimate objective of the project is to facilitate Kyrgyzstan becoming a leading supplier in the regional market and the Eurasian Economic Union market for high-quality organic agricultural products. This will be accomplished through two immediate objectives: (i) Prepare a pre-feasibility study to address location and business case for an agro-park to facilitate the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic to proceed with the in-depth feasibility study, environmental and social impact assessment and other related studies; and (ii) build capacity within public institutions to facilitate the development of an agro-food park.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and close cooperation with the project team in the HQ and Country Office, the National Project Coordinator (NPC) will be responsible for the day-to-day coordination, facilitation, and operational management of project activities at the national level, ensuring timely implementation, effective stakeholder coordination, quality inputs to technical deliverables, and compliance with UNIDO procedures. The NPC will play a critical bridging role between UNIDO, national counterparts, consultants, and development partners. 

The NPC will be responsible for the performance of the following main duties:

1. Project Coordination and Implementation

• Under the guidance of the Project Manager, coordinate the day-to-day implementation of project activities in line with the approved work plan and timeline, and in consultation with the UNIDO Field Office.

• Serve as the primary national focal point for project coordination with government counterparts, including line ministries, agencies, and local authorities.

• Support the establishment and functioning of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and Project Steering Committee (PSC).

• Organize and support project meetings, workshops, consultations, and field missions, including preparation of agendas, briefing notes, and minutes.

• 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.

• Support the work of the local project team assigned to work on the project and/or to perform ad-hoc activities.

• Maintain close links with other private sector development initiatives to ensure a consistent and integrated approach.   

2. Support to Pre-Feasibility Study, Institutional support and investment Promotion

• Facilitate access to national data, policy documents, site information, and relevant stakeholders required for the pre-feasibility study.

• Coordinate interactions between UNIDO, the contracted consulting firm, government entities, and EDB during the execution of the pre-feasibility study.

• Support the organization of site visits, stakeholder interviews, and validation meetings.

• Contribute to the review draft deliverables from a national context perspective and provide structured feedback to the UNIDO Project Manager.

• Support activities related to the institutional gaps assessment and review of governance, regulatory, and operational frameworks for agro-food park development.

• Support the preparation of the agro-food park investment promotion strategy by providing national market intelligence, stakeholder mapping, and policy inputs.

3. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Support the UNIDO Project Manager in monitoring project progress against the Logical Framework and work plan.

• Collect, consolidate, and report data for project indicators, including sex-disaggregated data where applicable, in line with UNIDO’s Integrated Results and Performance Framework (IRPF).

• Contribute to the preparation of project progress updates. Ensure systematic documentation and archiving project outputs, correspondence, and meeting records.

• Support the UNIDO Project Manager in the coordination and preparation of steering committee meetings (SCs), including preparing ToRs.

• Facilitate translation services from English into Russian/Kyrgyz and vice versa, where needed.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in economics, engineering, sciences, agro-industries, environment, business administration, or other relevant discipline is required.

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.
• Professional experience the field of Special Economic Zones, Industrial Parks and/or other similar territorial development initiatives is desirable. Experience in agro-industrial parks development or operations is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in contributing to country-level or sectoral assessments, feasibility studies, policy analysis, or programme design addressing development constraints and priorities in Kyrgyzstan or comparable countries in the region is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience working with or coordinating among government institutions, development partners, and private sector stakeholders in Kyrgyzstan or comparable countries, including familiarity with donor-funded programme environments is desirable.

Languages:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of Russian and Kyrgyz is also 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