Title: National Project Coordinator for Palestine
Requisition ID: 6479
Grade: ISA-NOD
Country: Palestine, State of
Duty Station: West Bank
Category: National Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 12 months
Application deadline: 09-Oct-2025, 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.
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 Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, ensures the Organization's application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to environment, energy, Micro, Small and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs), and digitalization. The Directorate also oversees the Organization's normative contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through industrial policy advice and capacity development. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute to effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results, scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.
The Directorate is responsible for the Division of Industrial Policy Advice and Capacity Development (TCS/IPC), and technical Divisions of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG), Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA), Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP); MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI). Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, TCS collaborates closely with IET to develop and implement programmes and projects, aiming at enhancing synergy and complementarity and maximizing UNIDO corporate performance and impacts on the ground. The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in all Directorates across the Organization.
Under the supervision of the Managing Director of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), and in close coordination with other organizational entities within UNIDO, the Division of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG) contributes to greener and more circular industries and products by minimizing both resource use along value chains and the emission of pollutants to the environment. The Division promotes just transitions to circular economies, reduced release of pollutants into the environment and other green industrial and economic approaches to help Member States to grow economically while simultaneously addressing the three planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It promotes circular economy policies, programmes and practices including circular business models that improve the profitability of industries while creating social and environmental benefits. It does so by supporting resource efficiency increases in the manufacturing and use of products along value chains and during the life cycle of the product; by reducing or eliminating the emission of non-fuel-related greenhouse gas emissions; and by assisting in achieving the objectives of and compliance with multilateral environmental agreements. In doing so, its activities further improve competitiveness, as well as the development of and access to markets, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. This contributes to climate-neutral, resilient, pollution-free industrial development, supporting co-existence that is in harmony with nature.
This position is located under the Circular Resource Efficiency Unit (TCS/CEG/CRE), which is responsible for supporting capacity development to promote the adoption of circular and resource-efficient consumption and production patterns across value chains. It fosters circular economy solutions including policies, programmes, practices, and business models that enhance industry profitability while generating social and environmental benefits. Furthermore, it facilitates design for circularity emphasizing reduced or alternative materials inputs, greater durability, reusability, reparability, and ultimately recyclability. The Unit promotes nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches that support the coexistence of industries and nature.
PROJECT CONTEXT
The project entitled “Support for small and medium-sized enterprises’ transition towards a green and circular economy” (Project ID: 230143) is financed by the European Union (EU) through the Directorate-general for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA) under the umbrella of the “Regional package on Green and Circular Economy – Green Forward” from 2024 to 2028.
The project’s overall objective is to create green jobs along targeted value chains, including to contribute to sustainable economic growth, decarbonized and climate resilient development, decent jobs creation, and a safer, healthier, and pollution-free environment. This action will be conducted in countries of the Southern Mediterranean region previously supported by the SwitchMed II Programme (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia) plus Libya.
The project will build on the achievements of the SwitchMed II programme and will focus on two outputs. Under Output 1, resource efficient and circular business models will be demonstrated, and capacities thereon will be built, including on access to finance, through the development of industrial pilots. Under Output 2, resource efficiency and circular economy knowledge will be disseminated at educational, Technical and Vocational Education and Training and policy levels, including regionally, to support regional cooperation and capacity building.
Under Output 1, a first batch of 10 Palestinian manufacturing companies has been enrolled to receive UNIDO Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (TEST) audits. The work plan until 30 September 2026 includes support to access to finance for investments identified in these companies, a second batch of TEST audits and the definition of a circular economy pilot.
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager (PM) at UNIDO Headquarters (HQ) and in close cooperation with the Technical Advisor and project team in the field and HQ, the National Project Coordinator will be responsible for the overall coordination/implementation, monitoring/evaluation and reporting of the project in the State of Palestine.
Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day technical delivery of industrial resource efficiency (applying the UNIDO TEST methodology) and circular economy services to up to 50 Palestinian companies. These services shall be implemented with the support of national experts and service providers as well as international experts recruited by UNIDO.
Specifically, the National Project Coordinator will perform the following main duties:
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MAIN DUTIES
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Concrete/measurable Outputs to be achieved |
Expected duration |
Location |
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Overall technical and project coordination
Coordinate and quality control the execution of all activities, leading to the successful implementation of Green Forward Industry in the State of Palestine.
Provide strategic advice on yearly operational planning (detailed work plan and budget).
Provide technical inputs for the preparation of terms of reference (ToRs) for recruiting international and national consultants, in line with needs of companies, and for procuring goods and services, including technical requirements, clarifications to relevant questions from bidders or technical evaluations. |
Project activities implemented at a high standard and with results-based approach.
Yearly national workplans and budgets prepared in a timely manner and approved by the PM.
Procurement and recruitment approaches streamlined in line with UNIDO rules and regulations. Tender documents are of high quality and prepared in a timely manner. |
Continuous |
Ramallah, State of Palestine |
|
Management of partnerships with companies
Act as the main project contact person and conduct effective liaison with participating companies to maintain their commitment. Ensure smooth activity implementation by organizing periodic meetings. This task includes the first batch of 10 TEST audits.
Select and mobilize companies for a second batch of TEST audits. Conduct resource efficient and cleaner production (RECP) quick scans (initial review/audits) at an indicative number of 30 companies to identify suitable candidates. Shortlist the 15 most promising companies and formalize the partnership with UNIDO via an exchange of letters. This task will be conducted in close coordination with the management authorities of industrial areas and key industrial associations.
|
Batch 1 companies are committed until end of activities.
Batch 2 company engagement letters are countersigned (indicative target: 15). Audits are underway. |
Continuous
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Ramallah and company sites, Palestine |
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Day-to-day technical coordination of national experts
Provide technical oversight to a pool of national experts and service providers that will implement TEST audits in the companies. This task will include:
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TEST final reports by national experts are delivered on time and quality assured. |
Continuous |
Ramallah and company sites, Palestine |
|
Advisory and technical support (TEST audits)
Take part in TEST audits as a technical expert within a restricted number of companies where needed, in coordination with other national and international experts.
Present the TEST saving catalogues at each Batch 1 company and assist in the review of TEST action plans.
Based on company needs for implementing high investment RECP measures, facilitate company access to finance by redirecting to relevant existing credit lines and grant instruments as well as coordinating matchmaking services.
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Technical inputs are delivered to Batch 1. Resource efficiency services are successfully implemented. TEST action plans are validated by management. Data is collected for monitoring, communication and knowledge management (see duties below).
High investment RECP measures are realized through access to finance facilitation.
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Continuous |
Ramallah and company sites, Palestine |
|
Circular economy pilot definition
Provide technical inputs to the definition of ToRs for a circular economy pilot within the stone and marble sector, ensuring complementarity and synergies with other similar initiatives implemented in the country.
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Circular economy pilot is defined and started implementation. |
2026 |
Ramallah and company sites, Palestine |
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Monitoring, reporting and evaluation
Provide strategic advice on, and consolidate inputs for, the continuous logical framework monitoring annual reporting to the EU, terminal evaluation and any other relevant results-based management exercises.
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Logical framework indicators are understood and monitored. Inputs to various exercises are prepared and submitted as agreed and at the highest quality standard. |
Continuous |
Ramallah, State of Palestine |
|
Stakeholder and external relations (incl. communication)
Liaise with and engage key institutional counterparts – especially the Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Environment National Focal Points (NFPs) to ensure smooth implementation of the project in line with national priorities.
Lead the preparation and execution of national coordination meetings with key institutional counterparts including the provision of relevant documentation (agenda, invitations, minutes).
Contribute to the preparation of regional steering committee meetings by providing briefing notes and liaising with NFPs.
Stay abreast of sectoral developments. Maintain networks and partnerships with relevant national institutions, academia and industrial associations. Maximize synergies with other cooperation projects, especially EU-funded or UN-led, to ensure a consistent and integrated approach.
Coordinate the dissemination of project knowledge to the wider public by providing technical inputs to communication deliverables under the guidance of HQ. |
Project activities implemented in close collaboration with national counterparts.
National coordination meetings are prepared, run and reported on in a manner that enhances stakeholder engagement.
NFPs are empowered to contribute substantively to regional steering committee meetings.
The project is attuned to, and integrated in, its environment as it develops.
Communication deliverables are completed and published as planned.
|
Continuous |
Ramallah, State of Palestine |
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Final report
Prepare a final report at the end of the contract.
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Final report submitted to the PM.
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1 day |
Ramallah, State of Palestine |
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in industrial or environmental engineering, international development, or business administration, with a specialization in strategic management, industrial sustainability or related topics, is required.
Technical and Functional Experience:
- At least seven (7) years of professional experience in implementing technical assistance projects at national level, including at least three (3) years and two (2) reference projects on industrial resource efficiency, is required.
- Experience with the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production programmes of UNIDO in the country or similar countries in the region, including the Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (TEST) methodology, is required.
- Experience/knowledge of other development agencies, private sector, government and relevant institutions (e.g. industrial associations) in the country or similar country in the region is required.
- Experience in tracking progress against logical framework indicators, taking corrective actions if needed and reporting indicator values according to donor requirements, is required.
Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is 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