Requisition ID: 6248
Grade: NOA (SB-4)
Country: Dominican Republic
Duty Station: Santo Domingo
Category: National Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Non-staff Regular
Contract Duration: 4 months (with the possibility of extension)
Application deadline: 11-Sep-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.
Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all relevant organizational entities within UNIDO, 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 the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), 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).
The Regional Bureau, Latin America and the Caribbean is responsible for determining regional strategies and programmatic priorities for UNIDO’s services and ensuring that UNIDO responds to the specific needs and requirements of Member States in the LAC region.
PROJECT CONTEXT
Dominican Republic Country Programme 2025-2028 (SAP ID 230252)
This Country Programme (CP) is designed to enhance the support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to the Government of the Dominican Republic, focusing on UNIDO's presence in the Caribbean. The main objective is to implement a comprehensive framework for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID), as stated in the Lima Declaration adopted on December 2, 2013, during the 15th session of the UNIDO General Conference.
The CP reflects the Dominican Republic's commitment to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and adheres to the National Development Strategy 2030. The strategic approach is to streamline efforts towards inclusive and sustainable industrial development in the Dominican Republic, integrate initiatives with the collaboration of various stakeholders, including governmental and non-governmental entities, and the private sector within the country.
The Country Programme for the Dominican Republic 2025-2028 is designed to drive Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID) by addressing key challenges in the industrial sector. The programme aligns with national priorities and international sustainability commitments, focusing on enhancing gender equality, fostering digital transformation, promoting resource efficiency and sustainability, and strengthening quality infrastructure.
The following objectives outline the core focus areas of the programme:
Promote gender equality and women's empowerment in the manufacturing sector by reducing disparities, increasing female participation in leadership roles, and institutionalizing inclusive policies to foster an equitable and competitive industrial workforce. Enhance the digital capabilities of industries by implementing technological solutions, fostering the adoption of Industry 4.0 tools, and facilitating peer collaboration to drive industrial competitiveness and innovation. Promote sustainability and resource efficiency by adopting the Eco-Industrial Parks (EIPs) framework, optimizing resource efficiency, and aligning production processes with environmental sustainability and climate resilience goals. Strengthen the national framework for quality infrastructure by improving compliance with international standards, developing institutional capacities, and ensuring product and service quality to boost global competitiveness and consumer confidence. Additionally, a cross-cutting component has been included to facilitate the mobilization of international funds.
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The National Programme Associate will ensure compliance with quality standards, timelines, and program objectives. For the yearly implementation of the program there will be concrete measurable outputs that must validated and approved by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce (MICM) and quality assured by UNIDO project manager in HQ.
KEY ACTIVITES
The programme activities are designed for effective implementation, ensuring broad stakeholder support through consultations with government agencies, private sector actors, and development partners. Each activity is subject to formal approval by the programme’s governing entities to confirm quality, financial viability, and feasibility, ensuring alignment with national priorities and long-term impact.
These are the main activities of the National Programme Associate:
Support the implementation of the programme, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, managing timelines, and overseeing execution. Assist in liaising with stakeholders, facilitating collaboration between public and private sectors and development partners. Contribute to monitoring and evaluating progress, defining key performance indicators (KPIs) and assessing programme impact. Provide support in preparing deliverables, assisting the oversight of the completion of key outputs such as policy frameworks, capacity-building initiatives, and sustainability action plans. Assist in organizing and facilitating meetings with local stakeholders to monitor progress and ensure coordination. Support resource mobilization efforts, identifying funding opportunities, securing partnerships, and ensuring long-term sustainability. Support international experts, UNIDO staff missions, and programme manager with ad-hoc tasks within the Country Programme framework. Represents UNIDO in relevant United Nations Country Team (UNCT) initiatives and inter-agency mechanisms, ensuring alignment with and strategic contribution to the key components of the Dominican Republic CP, namely: Promoting Gender Equality, Advancing Digital Transformation, Fostering Resource Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability, and Strengthening Quality Infrastructure. Report and ensure compliance, preparing and submitting progress reports while adhering to quality standards and financial requirements.
Under the direct supervision of MICM Focal Point and UNIDO HQ Programme manager the National Programme Associate will be responsible for carrying out the following main duties:
Programme Coordination and Implementation
1. Assist to MICM focal point and UNIDO Programme Manager (PM) in the preparation of a detailed work plan and budget, and in the design of monitoring and evaluation tools for project activities.
1.2 Support the execution of all activities leading to the successful implementation of the programme in the country, including implementation, quality control and monitoring of all project activities in the country;
1.3 Contribute to project initiatives to support the successful implementation of the Country Programme, including identifying partnership opportunities with the private sector, in alignment with the guidance of MISCM focal point and UNIDO’s Programme Manager.
2. Facilitate communication with government counterparts, by preparing regular updates, compiling financial reports and flagging problems in alignment with the guidance of MICM.
3. Attend key meetings related to the project and assist in preparing and conducting briefings and debriefings on projects for the country.
4. Assist with the organization of international expert missions and UNIDO staff operations in the country.
5. Provide administrative and logistical support to the work of the local project team assigned for project and/or to perform ad-hoc activities.
6. Support the preparation of ToRs for recruitment of national project consultants and contractors.
7. Assist the preparation of technical requirements/technical specifications for procurement, including designing of technical requirements, elaboration of relevant questions from tenders, evaluations, etc. ensuring compliance with the relevant UNIDO administrative rules and policies.
8. Maintain close links with other private sector development initiatives to ensure a consistent and integrated approach.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
1. Provide inputs for strategic advice in the elaboration of the operational planning and monitoring system for the project;
2. Assist in compiling data for monitoring and evaluation for the activities of the project using appropriate tools with output verifiable indicators;
3. Support the administrative and financial monitoring of the project and its activities;
4. Assist the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reporting for the programme according to donor specifications and UNIDO requirements;
5. Compile information for the preparation of a final report at the end of the contract comprising all relevant information compiled from the interim reports, conclusions and recommendations;
6. Support the organization of the Steering Committee (SC) meetings, including the preparation of Terms of Reference (ToRs).
External Relations & communication
1. Assist in maintaining effective networks and partnerships with national institutions, the private sector, and UN project partners, in alignment with the guidance of MICM and UNIDO program manager.
2. Represents UNIDO in UN Country Team coordination meetings and relevant subregional forums, ensuring that participation strategically supports the objectives and priority areas of the Country Programme in the Dominican Republic.
3. Actively contribute to the SDG 9 Accelerator platform and coordinate the dissemination of project knowledge to the wider public by proposing examples of best practices and success stories, as well as replicable strategies and approaches subject to prior formal authorization by the MICM focal point.
Final phase