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Title:  Quality Assurance and Results-based Management (RBM) Expert (roster)

​​Requisition ID: 6338 
Grade: ISA-P4 
Country: Home Based 
Duty Station: Home Based 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Contract Duration: 5-60 workdays
Application Deadline: 06-Oct-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

 

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

 

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 of 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 in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.

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, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

 

 

The Directorate of Strategic Planning, Programming and Policy (SPP) 

 

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.

 

The Directorate is responsible for the Divisions of Strategic Planning and South-South Cooperation (SPP/SSC), Strategic Engagement and Coordination (SPP/SEC), Strategic Programming, Results Monitoring and Quality Assurance (SPP/SPM), Industrial Policy Research and Statistics (SPP/IPS), Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (SPP/GEW) and Knowledge Management (SPP/KMG). 

 

 

Division of Strategic Programming, Results Monitoring and Quality Assurance (SPP/SPM) 

 

Under the supervision of the Managing Director of the Directorate for Strategic Programming and Policy (SPP) and in close coordination with relevant organizational entities, the Division of Strategic Programming, Results Monitoring and Quality Assurance (SPP/SPM) monitors the strategic alignment, quality and results of all services and of UNIDO projects and programmes in line with the IRPF in order to enhance UNIDO’s performance and results. The Division provides advisory services to enhance the quality of programme and project design and supports all Directorates in achieving the expected results, thus ensuring comprehensive reporting on the expected results from the UNIDO programme and budget, the MTPF and the IRPF. 

 

The Quality Assurance and Safeguards Unit (SPP/SPM/QAS), manages, among others, the implementation of the Organization’s Quality Assurance Framework (QAF, DGB/2019/11). In this capacity, it hosts the Secretariat of the Operations Committee, upholds and improves the project and programme quality at entry through review and clearance of documents prior to approval; provides advisory services to UNIDO personnel to enhance the quality and results-based management (RBM) orientation of programme and project design, in particular for complex and innovative proposals. The Unit also manages the implementation of UNIDO Environmental and Social Policies and Procedures (ESSPP) and its application to UNIDO projects and programmes. The Quality Assurance and RBM-related roster will be administered by SPP/SPM/QAS so as to refer experts to project teams across the Organization to provide direct advisory support. SPP/SPM/QAS will provide advisory support, but the experts will ultimately be hired by different (technical) teams based on their needs.

 

 

 

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Under the direct supervision of the lead technical team at HQ or in the field and in close coordination with SPP/SPM/QAS, the Quality Assurance and RBM Expert will contribute to the work of the team by providing substantive inputs and drafting related to quality assurance and RBM of technical cooperation programmes and projects, in line with UNIDO’s QAF, results framework (IRPF) as well as other administrative issuances and policies of relevance, such as the Monitoring and Reporting Policy (DGB/2021/14). S/he is expected to provide overarching institutional guidance and/or specific backstopping to technical teams designing and implementing projects and to codify related guidance and training materials. More precisely, s/he may be requested to perform the following tasks:

 

  • Review and critically assess draft project and programme documents, including the logical framework (LogFrame) matrices, ensuring alignment with UNIDO’s QAF, internal Quality Checklist criteria and RBM principles; Provide actionable recommendations to improve project intervention logic and LogFrames, outcome formulation, indicators, and assumptions;
  • Steer the conceptualization and refinement of Theories of Change, ensuring alignment with UNIDO’s strategic priorities and measurable pathways to impact.
  • Oversee strategic results reporting processes, ensuring consistency with the Integrated Results and Performance Framework (IRPF) and other institutional reporting instruments.
  • Provide high-level advice on optimizing results reporting practices, fostering a culture of evidence-based decision-making across the Organization.
  • Guide the development of robust monitoring and reporting frameworks within individual projects, ensuring operational clarity and accountability.
  • Develop standardized programme documentation, including replicable analytical content and narrative components to streamline project formulation and appraisal.
  • Design institutional learning resources, including training modules, case studies, toolkits, and repositories of lessons learned, to strengthen internal capacity and promote knowledge sharing.
  • Facilitate and co-deliver (recurring) capacity building on UNIDO’s latest QAF and RBM related guidance and (good) practices;
  • Provide technical guidance and hands-on support to project teams, including the orchestration of ideation workshops and design clinics to elevate programme quality.
  • Advise on integration of UNIDO’s cross-cutting thematic areas (e.g., GEW, ESS, innovation) into project and programme design and results frameworks.
  • Conduct strategic needs assessments and appraise programme relevance, ensuring responsiveness to evolving development challenges and stakeholder priorities.
  • Review and assess compliance with existing policies of relevance and suggest updates and refinements, as appropriate; Undertake ad-hoc assignments related to quality assurance and RBM.

 

Depending on the assignment tasks, key deliverables may include:

  • Project quality assessment reports, highlighting strategic strengths and areas for enhancement;
  • Reports consolidating actionable recommendations for strengthening project intervention logic, outcome statements, indicators, and assumptions, delivered in clear, implementable formats;
  • Updated and fully articulated Theories of Change for selected projects/programmes, ensuring logical consistency, alignment with strategic frameworks, and measurable pathways to results;
  • A set of actionable recommendations to improve strategic results reporting, including in line with the (revised) IRPF or UNIDO-wide results framework;
  • Standardized templates for project documents and other documentation required for UNIDO’s formulation, appraisal and approval processes;
  • Training Modules, incl. case studies, practice notes and toolkits and other knowledge-sharing tools and internal learning resources ready for deployment by project teams;
  • Completed standard training packages and advisory support sessions, including training assessments by participants.
 
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

 

Education: Advanced university degree (masters or equivalent) in development studies, social sciences economics, international relations, business administration, public administration, environmental studies, industrial development or relevant discipline is required. 

 

Technical and Functional Experience:

  • Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in an area relevant for (technical) international development, quality and effectiveness assessment of development cooperation, project management, monitoring, reporting & evaluation (M, R&E), and risk management is required.  
  • Proven experience with the development, review and/or quality assurance of results frameworks aligned with institutional or donor-specific RBM systems, ToCs, logical frameworks, M, R&E tools and performance measurement frameworks, as well as technical cooperation-related risks and assumptions analysis is required.
  • Expertise in project and programme-level capacity building, including development and delivery of training related to RBM and quality assurance policies and procedures is required.
  • Knowledge of TC programme/project management cycle, design and implementation is required.
  • Ability to research and analyze information, write in a clear and concise manner is required. 
  • Ability to work effectively in multi-cultural teams is desirable. 

 

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

 

 

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

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