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.

Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET)

Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all organizational entities within UNIDO, in particular the Office of Change Management (ODG/CHM), the Office of Legal Affairs and Compliance (ODG/LEG), the Strategic Planning and UN Engagement Division (ODG/SPU), and the Office of Evaluation and Internal Oversight (EIO), 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 ODG, responsible for developing innovative technical cooperation concepts, identifying new sources and means of finance and entering into new partnerships with a broad range of relevant stakeholders.

The Directorate houses the Divisions of Coordination and Integration Support (IET/CIS), Quality, Impact and Accountability (IET/QUA), Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR), Innovative Finance and International Financial Institutions (IET/IFI), Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST), Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), and Climate and Technology Partnerships (CTP). The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions and relevant entities in the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO) and the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS).

Division of Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST)

Under the overall guidance of the Director General, the direct supervision of the Managing Director, Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), and in close coordination with other organizational entities within UNIDO, the Division of Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST) develops and implements an innovative service package in response to UNIDO's mandate for fair and responsible local industrial production and trade with a particular focus on building the required skills and capacities and foster a conducive business operating environment to ensure that such production and trade are as inclusive as possible, promoting – among others – the development of human capital through vocational training and industrial skills development. In collaboration with IET/IFI, IET/PPP, TCS/SME, TCS/CPA, and GLO/MSR, the Division will conceptualize and negotiate such services and raise funds from Member States, development partners, IFIs, and the private sector to coordinate their effective implementation and devise ways in which their implementation can be brought to scale. This will include cross-cutting and sector-specific initiatives for sustainable supply/value chain and skills development in industrial sectors where UNIDO has, over the years, accumulated expertise, such as agro-industries, fisheries, textiles, leather, light manufacturing, health, mining, automotive and pharma and others. It will do so through close engagement with Member States, private sector associations, industrial enterprises, international quality, standards and trade-related governing bodies, other UN Agencies (e.g. ILO), development partners, NGOs and consumer associations, as appropriate, ensuring solid and operational partnerships.

Skills Development, Entrepreneurship and Fair Production Unit (IET/PST/SEF)

The Skills Development, Entrepreneurship and Fair Production Unit supports Member States in integrating into the emerging global systems of fair and sustainable trade and supply chains. It aims 62 to increase employability, strengthen access to decent employment, augment job retention, and increase access to qualified workforce by the industry, through modern technical and vocational education and training (TVET), professional education and entrepreneurship systems essential for driving sustainable transition. Central to its mandate is the commitment to provide the skills required to enabling sustainable supply chain practices, ensuring resilience, particularly at the firm level, and addressing the challenges and opportunities arising from new due diligence regulations. To this end, it provides specialized and country-tailored assistance to Member States to skill, upskill, and/or reskill their labour force and enhance their entrepreneurship capacity, it implements demand driven educational approaches, leverages partnerships with the private sector and strengthens institutional and firm-level capacities that fortify sustainable supply chains, with emphasis on the most vulnerable. It places importance on mitigating unintended consequences stemming from due diligence regulations, ensuring that all actors, especially at firm-level, are equipped to navigate through these changes. The Unit promotes innovation in learning, concepts and norms to augment the quality, relevance, attractiveness and accessibility of TVET for sustainable industrial employment and self-employment for the most vulnerable. The Unit also deploys foresight and planning instruments to guide Member States in developing industrial skills of future employees and respond to re-skilling and up-skilling requirements tailored for sustainable supply chains.

Project Context

The project “Skills for Decent Employment in Zambian Artisanal and Small-scale Mining in the Critical Mineral Value Chains” (EU-UNIDO Contribution Agreement N° 700004786, financed by the European Union and implemented by UNIDO) addresses the structural constraints facing Zambia’s artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector – informality, low productivity, unsafe working conditions, weak business organization, and limited access to finance, technical and entrepreneurial skills – which disproportionately affect women and youth. The project runs over 54 months and is implemented by UNIDO’s Division of Fair Production, Sustainability and Trade (PST), Skills Development, Entrepreneurship and Fair Production (SEF) Unit, through a Project Management Unit (PMU) based in Zambia (Kitwe/Solwezi, Luapula and, subject to confirmation, Lusaka).

The project pursues two outcomes. Outcome 1 strengthens Zambia’s institutional ecosystem for ASM skills development, supporting national authorities – the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development (MMMD), Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS), TEVETA, and the newly established ASM Directorate and ASM Fund – to coordinate, plan and deliver demand-driven training. This is underpinned by a Market Systems Analysis of the ASM sector, a skills development policy and institutional capacity assessment, and a structured, TEVETA-accredited ASM training framework and curricula. Outcome 2 equips ASM operators, including women, youth and other vulnerable groups, with improved technical skills and entrepreneurship and organizational capacities for increased access to decent employment along the value chain, through community outreach and awareness-raising, upgraded TVET training centres, and entrepreneurship training linked to markets and finance, including a matching-grant mechanism for ASM operators.

The project is delivered through a Zambia-based PMU comprising two Provincial Coordinators, a National Project Assistant, two Community Outreach Officers, and thematic experts covering skills development/TVET, GESI, policy and institutional capacity building, grant monitoring, and monitoring, evaluation and learning, all technically guided by the Lead Technical Advisor (LTA) and overseen by the Project Delivery Manager (Industrial Development Expert, L3) and UNIDO HQ (IET/PST/SEF). The Driver is a support member of the PMU, providing reliable and safe driving services to project staff, consultants and experts, and UNIDO staff on mission, throughout the project duration.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Provincial Coordinator, and in close cooperation with the Lead Technical Advisor (LTA) and the PMU team, the Driver will be responsible for the performance of the following main duties:

Main Duties

Planning / Coordination / Advice

• Plan and coordinate daily vehicle scheduling and field mission logistics for the Luapula office in coordination with the Provincial Coordinator and PMU team;
• Provide input on travel routes, timing and safety considerations for field missions;
• Maintain an up-to-date vehicle maintenance and servicing schedule.

Outputs to be achieved:

• Vehicle scheduling and field mission logistics for the Luapula office coordinated with no significant conflicts or delays;
• Vehicle maintenance and servicing schedule maintained and up to date.

Location: Kitwe/Solwezi

Programme/Project Implementation

• Drive project personnel and, on demand, other authorized people, in a safe, secure and reliable manner, including on field missions to ASM sites;
• Respect traffic regulations and United Nations rules on driving in Zambia;
• Daily and regularly inspect the condition of the project vehicle; arrange for regular professional service, maintenance and repair, maintaining a high level of cleanliness and ensuring that oil, water, battery, brakes and tyres all meet the authorized safety regulations;
• Log all official travel, daily mileage, fuel consumption and oil changes in an official form;
• Search and identify the lowest-cost and most reliable source of high-quality spare parts and service shops, to facilitate the purchasing of parts;
• Ensure the security of the project vehicle at all times, and compliance with UN/UNIDO security and safety protocols, including Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS), during field travel;
• Ensure that immediate steps, as required by rules and regulations, are taken in case of involvement in an accident.

Outputs to be achieved:

• Field missions and staff/consultant transport completed safely and on schedule;
• Vehicle kept roadworthy, clean, and compliant with authorized safety regulations;
• Vehicle logbooks (mileage, fuel, oil changes) accurately and regularly maintained;
• Cost-effective spare parts/service arrangements identified as needed;
• No security or safety incidents during field travel, or incidents properly reported and addressed in line with UN/UNIDO rules.

Programme/Project Promotion and Outreach

• Support the transport and logistics needs of outreach and awareness-raising activities organized by the Community Outreach Officer;
• Assist in the transport of materials and equipment for project visibility events and community engagements.

Outputs to be achieved:

• Transport and logistics support for outreach/awareness activities delivered as required;
• Materials/equipment for visibility events transported on schedule.

Capacity Building of the Project Partners/Beneficiaries

• Support the transport and logistics needs of training and capacity-building events for project partners and beneficiaries;
• Assist in transporting participants, trainers or materials to and from training venues as required.

Outputs to be achieved:

• Transport and logistics support for training/capacity-building events delivered as required;
• Participants, trainers and materials transported safely and on time.

Reporting

• Report vehicle usage, mileage, fuel consumption and maintenance status to the Provincial Coordinator on a regular basis;
• Promptly report any vehicle issues, accidents or security incidents encountered during field travel.

Outputs to be achieved:

• Vehicle usage and maintenance reports submitted regularly to the Provincial Coordinator;
• Incidents, if any, reported promptly and accurately.

Other Duties as Required by the Provincial Coordinator/LTA

• Deliver and collect official mail and other documents as required, ensuring that all deliveries and collections are made in a timely manner;
• Meet official personnel at the airport or other points of arrival, as required;
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Provincial Coordinator/LTA.

Outputs to be achieved:

• Official mail/documents delivered and collected in a timely manner;
• Official personnel met and transported from points of arrival as required.

Minimum Organizational Requirements

Education

Completed secondary education is required. Driver's training with a valid driver's licence is required.

Technical and Functional Experience

• A minimum of one (1) year of working experience as a driver, is required.
• Good/safe driving record, is required.
• Knowledge of driving rules and regulations, and skills in minor vehicle repair is required.
• Good knowledge of Luapula province and up-to-date information on current road/highway conditions is required.
• Proficiency in map reading and land navigation systems, is required.
• Willingness to travel occasionally, including to remoter locations outside of the duty station, is required.
• Experience driving government officials, other UN staff, or diplomatic staff is desirable.

Languages

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

Core Values and Behaviors

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 Behaviors

• CONNECT & COLLABORATE – Build trust through effective communication and teamwork; share knowledge and embrace diversity.
• ANALYSE & PLAN – Use data and evidence to inform decision-making; plan proactively and prioritize effectively.
• DELIVER RESULTS WITH POSITIVE IMPACT – Take ownership and deliver high-quality outputs; align work with UNIDO’s mission and objectives.
• LEARN AND DEVELOP – Continuously develop skills and capabilities; seek feedback and share knowledge with others.
• ADAPT AND INNOVATE – Respond flexibly to change; embrace innovation and new approaches.

Additional Information

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.

How to Apply

Visit the UNIDO website for details on how to apply: www.unido.org

Applications should be submitted online through the UNIDO Online Recruitment System:

Application Deadline: 24 September 2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

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:

Email: recruitment@unido.org

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