National Private Sector and Business Association Liaison

​Requisition ID: 7710
Grade: ISA-NOD
Country: Paraguay
Duty Station: Asuncion
Category: National Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Application deadline: 10-Jul-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.

Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all relevant organizational entities within UNIDO, 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.

The Division of MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME) works towards increasing the competitiveness of industries in developing countries and countries in transition, especially emphasizing business development of MSMEs engaged in manufacturing and creating jobs therein. It aims at increasing competitiveness among MSMEs in two interconnected ways: first, by modernizing businesses through the transfer of advanced technologies adapted to local conditions, product innovation, productivity improvement and upgrading, developing market and value chain readiness as well as improved access to finance; and second, by improving the quality of MSME manufactured products and their compliance with market requirements through capacity building for the development of industrial production and trade-related quality infrastructure including for standardization, metrology, accreditation and of conformity assessment service institutions (testing, certification, inspection and calibration) and the strengthening of their capacities.

The Competitiveness, Quality and Compliance Unit (TCS/SME/CQC) builds national and regional production and quality infrastructure systems, with an emphasis on providing internationally recognized services, facilitating MSME participation in regional and global value chains; strengthening institutional quality infrastructure capacities; building conformity assessment capacities; and supporting market access and quality awareness with the public sector, economic operators and consumers, placing a special emphasis on capacitating MSMEs.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Promoting and strengthening the Quality Infrastructure System for the sustainability and competitiveness of Paraguay in the agro-industrial sector - SiCalidad Paraguay

The project will build on the experiences and achievements of the previous project named 'Enhancing Business Intermediary Organizations' Support Services for MSMEs Competitiveness in Paraguay' known as MiPYME COMPITE. This project focused on strengthening Paraguay's quality infrastructure system to foster the adoption of sustainable practices, supporting Paraguayan industrial capacity for the growth of sustainable enterprises and sensitize institutions, business and consumers on quality and sustainable practices particularly those in the agro-industrial sector.

The overall objective of the SiCalidad project is to strengthen the Quality Infrastructure System in Paraguay to promote sustainable practices and generate solutions in favor of the sustainability of the Paraguayan agro-industry.

The project has 3 main outcomes that complement each other:

• Outcome 1: The technical capacity of Quality Infrastructure Institutions in Paraguay is enhanced.
• Outcome 2: The institutional capacity of Business Intermediary Organizations to extend quality and sustainable business development services to SMEs is strengthened.
• Outcome 3: Quality culture and sustainable practices are promoted.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the close supervision of the Project Manager at Headquarters, and working with the project team in the field, the National Private Sector and Business Association Liaison shall fulfil the following duties:

1. Conduct a rapid assessment of the current status of engagement with business associations, chambers, sectoral gremios, and other relevant private-sector stakeholders under the SiCalidad Paraguay project, identifying coordination gaps, expectations, risks, and opportunities for improved collaboration.
2. Update and refine the project stakeholder map and engagement plan, with emphasis on business intermediary organizations, sectoral chambers, SME-related institutions, quality infrastructure actors, and public-private platforms relevant to the implementation of SiCalidad.
3. Liaise with senior representatives of business associations, chambers, sectoral gremios, MIC, UIP, FECOPROD, INTN, DINAVISA, donor entities, and other national counterparts, as requested, to facilitate constructive dialogue, alignment of expectations, and timely participation in project activities.
4. Support the Project Coordinator and the field team in preparing and facilitating strategic meetings, bilateral discussions, working sessions, and consultation processes with gremios and other key actors, ensuring that institutional protocols and sensitivities are appropriately considered.
5. Support the follow-up of agreements and commitments emerging from meetings with business associations, sectoral gremios, public institutions, and other partners, ensuring that actions are tracked and escalated when needed.
6. Prepare a final activity report, in accordance with UNIDO standards, summarizing tasks performed, outputs delivered, stakeholder engagement status, lessons learned, key risks, and recommendations for the next phase of implementation.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in the fields of Production Systems, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Development Studies, or a related field is required. Specialized training in productivity, quality, continuous improvement, strategic management, business development or related areas is desirable.

Alternatively, a first-level university degree or a diploma from a higher technical institution may be accepted, provided it is complemented by at least seven additional years of practical professional experience directly relevant to the experience required for the specific assignment.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in private-sector leadership, institutional governance, business association coordination, public-private articulation, strategic management or related fields is required.
• Proven experience working with or within business intermediary organizations, industrial associations, chambers of commerce, sectoral gremios, boards, executive committees or similar governance bodies is required.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating with public institutions, ministries, business associations, SME support organizations, donors, and/or international cooperation partners is required.
• Experience in the design, supervision or strategic follow-up of programmes related to SME competitiveness, productivity, quality, sustainability, formalization, innovation, or industrial development is required.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate high-level meetings, build consensus among diverse stakeholders, manage institutional sensitivities, and translate strategic discussions into concrete follow-up actions is required.
• Experience in strategic planning, organizational strengthening, change management, due diligence, internal control, financial oversight, or institutional transition processes is desirable.
• Experience with projects financed by international development partners or donors, particularly the European Union, UNIDO or other United Nations entities, is desirable.
• Knowledge of Paraguay's industrial ecosystem, SME development agenda, quality/productivity institutions, and public-private coordination mechanisms is desirable.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and internet-based communication and collaboration tools is required.
• Strong analytical, writing, reporting, negotiation and interpersonal skills are required.

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken Spanish is required. Working knowledge of English is required. Fluency in Guarani and/or working knowledge of Portuguese is desirable.

REQUIRED CORE VALUES, BEHAVIORS AND FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCE

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

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCE:

• Continuously develop and maintain expertise
• Stay informed of industry trends and best practices
• Apply knowledge to improve results and decision-making
• Adopt new tools and technologies
• Take ownership of professional development

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