National Technical Coordinator

United Nations Industrial Development Organisation; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

An international development agency in Pretoria is seeking a National Technical Coordinator for a project focused on quality and standards. The position requires a master’s degree and at least seven years of experience in coordinating development projects. Key responsibilities include project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring compliance with project standards. Fluency in English is mandatory. This appointment is temporary with a possibility of extension.

Qualifications

• At least 7 years of experience in coordinating development programmes.
• Knowledge of standardization, metrology, and quality promotion.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate national activities to ensure project success.
• Develop terms of reference for recruitment and activities.
• Monitor compliance with project deliverables and standards.

Skills

Project coordination

Technical compliance

Capacity building

Stakeholder engagement

Drafting technical reports

Education

Advanced university degree in science, engineering, or business administration

Job description

Overview

This is a temporary appointment of project personnel located in Pretoria, South Africa, for the Global Quality and Standards Programme South Africa, Phase II (SAP ID 230070). The position supports the Competitiveness, Quality and Compliance Unit (TCS/SME/CQC) under the Project Manager in Vienna. It involves coordinating national activities, ensuring technical completion, and delivering project outputs in line with the project document and work plan.

Requisition details — Requisition ID: 6559; Grade: ISA-NOD; Country: South Africa; Duty Station: Pretoria; Category: National Consultant; Type of Job Posting: Internal and External; Employment Type: Non-staff Regular; Contract Duration: 1 year (with the possibility of extension); Application deadline: 22-Dec-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna time).

Vacancy context — Temporary appointment; only nationals or permanent residents of the duty station country are eligible. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Organizational context and Programme focus

UNIDO promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The programme focuses on strengthening the essential and vegetable oils value chain through the Global Quality Standards Programme South Africa (GQSP-SA) Phase II, including digitalization, new technologies, and policy development in support of SMEs. Three outcomes are targeted: (1) Strengthened National Quality Infrastructure, (2) Increased SME compliance with international standards, and (3) A conducive policy environment for quality.

Functional responsibilities cover coordination, project management, external relations, administrative and financial management, and final project close-out activities.

Functional responsibilities

The National Technical Coordinator (local staff) reports to the Project Manager (PM) in Vienna and is based in Pretoria. Core duties include coordinating national activities, ensuring technical completion, and advising on SQAM (Standards, Quality Assurance, Accreditation and Metrology). Responsibilities include developing ToRs and job descriptions, ensuring adherence to quality standards, coordinating with government entities, and delivering activities as per the project document and work plan.

MAIN DUTIES

Technical

• Project coordination to ensure consistency within UNIDO project components/outputs related to SQAM.
• Propose capacity-building programmes relevant to the project.
• Provide strategic advice and revise the overall work plan and budget with the PM and HQ staff.
• Analyze consultant and service provider reports for compliance with deliverables in the ToRs; implement recommendations where appropriate.
• Conduct regular meetings with counterparts to ensure coordination and stakeholder engagement.
• Identify linkages with other donor-funded interventions and other project experts.
• Undertake other tasks related to the project as requested by the PM.
• Advise the PM and stakeholders on technical and advisory services with a focus on SQAM.
• Develop ToRs and job descriptions to recruit experts and subcontractors.
• Deliver activities with government partners in alignment with the project document and work plan, applying quality management and results-based approaches.
• Provide technical supervision for missions by national and international experts, ensuring adherence to standards and QA objectives.
• Prepare project achievements for publication to ensure visibility.

Project management

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Assess progress and report results in line with IRPF requirements.
• Plan and prepare ToRs and recommendations for activities; monitor execution per the work plan.
• Prepare stakeholder and national steering committee meeting documentation and follow-up actions.
• Draft 6-monthly progress reports for SECO and for the GQSP global report.
• Support mid-term and/or final evaluation coordination.

External relations

• Establish and maintain relations with dtic, SECO, private sector institutions, enterprises, support institutions, and other partners.
• Ensure compliance with the GQSP Communication Strategy and Visual Guidelines.
• Participate in sector coordination meetings relevant to the project.
• Coordinate national technical and administrative activities with government counterparts, the private sector, and other institutions.

Administrative and financial management

• Oversee national administrative and financial management of the project.
• Prepare budget proposals and terms of reference/RFQs for subcontractors.
• Coordinate missions of HQ, international and national experts and subcontractors at the national level.

End of current contract period

• Prepare a report on progress against main tasks.

Final phase and project closure (if applicable)

• Conduct close-out evaluation, stakeholder satisfaction survey, and prepare publication text on achievements and impact.
• Prepare final report compiling interim and previous reports and submit to UNIDO.

Required competencies

Core Values

Integrity, professionalism, respect for diversity, focus on people, results-oriented approach, communication and trust, and innovation.

Minimum organizational requirements

Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in science, engineering, agro-industries, business administration or related field is required.

Technical and functional experience:

• At least seven (7) years of progressive professional experience coordinating and implementing development programmes or projects at national and/or international level.
• Experience in livelihood support through technical cooperation or development programmes is desirable.
• Knowledge of standardization, metrology, accreditation, conformity assessment and quality promotion; experience in at least two technical areas in the SADC region is desirable.
• Knowledge of WTO TBT or SPS agreements is required.
• Experience in building stakeholder relationships is required.
• Experience in drafting technical reports and publications is required.
• Experience in working with UN system or other international/donor contexts is desirable.
• Experience/knowledge of international development agenda and economic transformation issues is desirable.
• Experience in evaluating needs and problems of developing countries is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

This appointment is limited to the specified project and does not carry any expectation of renewal. UNIDO employees are expected to uphold integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity at work and beyond. All applications must be submitted online; correspondence will be with candidates advanced in the process. Selected candidates may be asked to disclose personal interests and assets to the Director General as per procedures.

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

Note: The Director General may appoint at a lower level. Applicants should be aware that UNIDO does not charge any application or recruitment fees. If solicited for payment, disregard it and report to [e-mail].