Title:  Team lead for Programme for Country Partnership formulation

​Requisition ID: 7894 
Grade: ISA-NOD 
Country: Lao People's Democratic Republic 
Duty Station: Vientiane 
Category: National Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Contract Duration: 60 working days over a period
Application deadline: 09-Sep-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 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.

Under the supervision of the Managing Director of GLO, the Division of Field and Liaison Strategy (GLO/FLS) provides strategic guidance on the set-up, operation and performance of the field structure and UNIDO's liaison offices with a view to further optimizing UNIDO's field operations, outreach to development partners and Member States, global networks and overall coherence of its service delivery in the context of the UNDS and related reform efforts. The Division also supports the work of GLO/RFO in developing regional strategies and country programmes (including Programmes for Country Partnerships - PCPs), ensuring alignment with key strategic documents of the Organization and the priorities of the Director General, as well as related results-oriented implementation plans.

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; 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 located under the UNIDO Country Office in Vientiane,  Lao PDR (GLO/RFO/ASP/LAO).

PROJECT CONTEXT

The Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) is an innovative model for accelerating Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID), established as a framework at the country level to bring together actors in a multi-stakeholder platform, to coordinate and optimize their contribution for implementing the country’s strategy.

UNIDO is committed to enlarge the previous PCP’s achievements by designing of the PCP Lao PDR  2026-202030 aiming to support the government’s 10th Five Year National Social and Economic Development Plan  The programme continues to stimulate the inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Lao PDR, facilitate the government’s commitment towards the sustainable development goals, and align to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Lao PDR 2027-2031. The programme framework concentrates on developing agro-value chain and SME, linking them to tourism sector; and industrial diversification, innovation and development of special economic zones and eco-industrial parks. In addition, the framework encompasses the cross-cutting elements such as industrial policy and statistics; digital transformation; sustainable energy and industrial decarbonization; circular economy, green industry and sustainable supply chains; and women’s empowerment and youth employment.

UNIDO is refining its collaborative approach for PCP Lao PDR 2027-2031, prioritizing programmatic synergies to enhance coordination across existing and pipeline projects. The PCP continues to promote collective efforts by functioning as an integrated platform, uniting stakeholders from the government, private sector, development partners, and civil society toward inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

Under the direct supervision of the UNIDO  Sub-regional office Representative, the UNIDO Country Representative in Lao PDR, and UNIDO PCP team in the HQ, the Team Lead will be responsible for the performance of the following main duties:

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in economics, engineering, social sciences, business administration, or other relevant discipline is required. Alternatively, a first level university degree or an advanced technical college diploma may be acceptable provided it is combined with additional 7 years of professional hand-on experience that is directly relevant to the expertise required by the specific assignment.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least seven (7) years of progressive professional experience in coordinating and implementing development programmes and/or projects within either a private sector or public sector organizations, is required.
• Experience in the field of livelihood support and economic development through implementation of technical cooperation or development programmes/projects, especially in Lao PDR, is required.
• Experience in designing country strategy/programme is desirable
• Experience in working with the UN system, international organizations or non-governmental organizations and with the donors community, is desirable.
• Experience/knowledge of the international development agenda, and strategic issues of economic transformation, is desirable.
• Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems of developing countries is desirable.

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

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