Title: National Programme Officer
Requisition ID: 6320
Grade: NOB
Country: Uruguay
Duty Station: Montevideo
Category: Professional and Higher
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Staff-Full-time
Appointment Type: Fixed Term - 100 series
Indicative Minimum Net Annual Salary: 4,086,981 UYU
Application deadline: 1-Oct-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)
Vacancy Announcement
Only nationals of the country of the duty station are eligible to apply.
Female candidates are particularly 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 Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for UNIDO's relations with Member States and all external partners, including through the policymaking organs. It plays a central role for interaction and collaboration with traditional and non-traditional donors; oversees the regional bureaus as well as the network of established field offices, liaison offices and Investment and Technology Promotion Offices; and supports the implementation of particularly complex projects, programmes and special assignments, thus also fulfilling an important role in safeguarding their quality and the reputation of the Organization.
The Division of Regional Bureaus and Field Offices (GLO/RFO) coordinates the field representation and interventions of UNIDO in Member States and regions. Within this context, the Division is responsible for determining programmatic priorities for UNIDO's services and ensuring that UNIDO responds to the specific needs and requirements of Member States and development partners at the country and regional levels. It facilitates, upon guidance of GLO/FLS, the development of regional strategies, country programmes (including Programmes for Country Partnership - PCPs) and monitors their implementation. The Division encompasses all the UNIDO field offices and the five Regional Bureaus: Africa (GLO/RFO/AFR), also hosting the IDDA III Secretariat; the Arab Region (GLO/RFO/ARB); Asia and the Pacific (GLO/RFO/ASP); Europe and Central Asia (GLO/RFO/EUR); and Latin American and the Caribbean (GLO/RFO/LAC).
This position is in the Regional Office in Uruguay and is responsible for representing UNIDO in Uruguay and other countries: Argentina, Chile and Paraguay. The incumbent is expected to represent UNIDO in the field: (a) as an effective partner for sustainable industrial development; (b) furthering UNIDO’s technical competence and active role in the UN Country Teams (UNCTs); (c) to identify industrial development trends and country and industry profiles; (d) to identify industrial development needs and donor priorities in the countries of coverage; (e ) to monitor industrial policy design and implementation in the countries of coverage and develop industrial policy support services; (f) to develop results-oriented yearly implementation plans; (g) to advocate and highlight the relevance and work of the Organization; (h) to implement or support the implementation of selected technical cooperation activities; (i) to contribute to fundraising and resource mobilisation and (j) to maintain regular contact with the regional bureaus and project managers on the active portfolio and monitoring pipeline projects and activities.
The National Programme Officer is expected to: (a) deliver work requiring basic conceptual comprehension; (b) help create an enabling environment for supportive exposure and growth; (c) build relationships contributing to effective working-level partnerships and (d) achieve results that provide basic substantive baselines for the work of the Directorate.
The UNIDO Staff Performance Management System reinforces collaboration within formal units as well as among cross-functional teams. In this context, the incumbent collaborates with his/her team and colleagues, within as well as outside the unit. Within the formal teams, the incumbent may be expected to backstop other team members as required
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Programme Development: Proposes and contributes to the development and formulation of cooperation projects/programmes that cut across the varied and wide mandate of the Regional Office, with special emphasis on the Regional Bureaus and Field Network, in line with the guidelines and procedures governing the delivery of UNIDO services, and obtains internal approval.
Programme Implementation: Participates in gathering data, analysing information, tracking status, and rectifying actions related to ongoing programmes and projects that cut across thematic areas in the countries of coverage. Assists in the preparation of the necessary inputs (project/programme documents, consultant job descriptions, terms of reference, training arrangements, etc.) and monitors progress in implementation, including through missions to project sites where applicable.
Global Forum Function: Cooperates with team members in the Regional Office and in Headquarters to organise and run UNIDO global forum activities (e.g., conferences, seminars, expert group meetings, and Member State consultations, etc.). Contributes to the preparation of technical papers, background documentation, agenda, talking points, or other written inputs for such engagements. Assists in the preparation of UNIDO publications and other information dissemination/communication aids and tools. Keeps abreast of technical and economic developments in the area/field of inclusive and sustainable industrial development, including by developing contacts with specialized institutions and industry representatives, following the specialized press, market developments and trends.
Communication and engagement with Governments and partners: Supports the identification of development priorities and donors’ technical and funding priorities in the countries of coverage. Contributes to the development of regional policies, including cooperation with and contributions to the United Nations Resident Coordinator Offices (UNRCs), United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs), Common Country Assessments (CCAs), and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs). Act as UNIDO Office in Charge when the UR is not available (UR on mission, UR on leave, between URs transitions at the RO), participating in UNCT meetings, UNCT retreats, RCO meetings and inter-agency technical meetings as required.
Monitoring and reporting: Monitors and reports on UNIDO’s service delivery activities in the countries of coverage. Supports the UNIDO Representative in preparing and submitting annual business plans and annual reports to the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Coordination Division.
Other Special tasks: Ensures that all UNIDO administrative and financial rules and regulations, as well as official communication channels, are followed in daily operations. This includes responsibility for signing official documents, responsible for SAP approval processes (TC-related issues as well as Office-related expenditures) during the absence of the UNIDO Representative. Undertakes other related duties and assignments as may be required by the UNIDO Representative.
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.
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Education:
Advanced university (Master’s or equivalent) degree in environmental studies, sustainability, economics or other closely associated fields relevant to UNIDO’s mandate, is required.
Experience:
- A minimum of (3) years of professional experience, involving the design and implementation of technical cooperation projects at national level, is required.
- Relevant experience on sustainability, particularly in areas of environment and energy linked to industry, is required.
- Experience in all phases of the Project Cycle is required.
- Knowledge of UNIDO mandate and portfolio in the countries of coverage is required.
- Relevant experience in the countries of coverage and exposure to the needs and specifics of the sub‐region is desirable.
- Strong analytical capabilities and proven ability to contribute to knowledge products and reports are desirable.
Language Skills:
Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish are required. Fluency in or working knowledge of other official language (s) of the United Nations is desirable.
For further information on salaries, refer to the International Civil Service Commission website: https://icsc.un.org/
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 careers site for details on how to apply: https://careers.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