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 Local Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Expert is a core member of the PMU, responsible for the systematic tracking of project performance, results and learning at field and provincial levels, in close coordination with the local teams and under the guidance of the LTA.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Lead Technical Advisor (LTA), and in close cooperation with the Project Delivery Manager (PDM) and the project's local teams (Provincial Coordinators, Community Outreach Officers and thematic experts), the Local Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Expert will be responsible for the performance of the following main duties:

Main Duties

Planning / Coordination / Advice

• Support the LTA and HQ KM & Monitoring expert in the design and refinement of the project's MEL framework, including outcome-tracking tools and GESI-sensitive indicators;
• Plan and coordinate MEL-related activities (data collection missions, participatory monitoring exercises) with the Provincial Coordinators and Community Outreach Officers;
• Provide technical advice to the LTA and PMU on monitoring, evaluation and learning matters.

Outputs to be achieved:

• MEL framework, outcome-tracking tools and GESI-sensitive indicators developed/refined and submitted to the LTA;
• MEL activities planned and coordinated with the Provincial Coordinators and Community Outreach Officers;
• Technical advice provided to the LTA/PMU on MEL matters, documented as needed.

Location: Home-based Lusaka

Programme/Project Implementation

• Lead the collection, verification and analysis of quantitative and qualitative project performance data at field and provincial levels;
• Ensure monitoring processes and tools comply with UNIDO standards and EU donor requirements;
• Support the design and application of participatory monitoring approaches with ASM communities;
• Integrate GESI-sensitive indicators into monitoring tools and processes;
• Facilitate continuous learning by synthesizing field evidence, documenting good practices and identifying implementation challenges.

Outputs to be achieved:

• Quantitative and qualitative project performance data collected, verified and analyzed on schedule;
• Monitoring processes and tools compliant with UNIDO standards and EU donor requirements;
• Participatory monitoring approaches with ASM communities designed and applied;
• GESI-sensitive indicators integrated into monitoring tools;
• Good practices and implementation challenges documented through field evidence synthesis.

Location: Home-based Lusaka

Programme/Project Promotion and Outreach

• Communicate MEL findings and lessons learned to the project management team and Provincial Technical Committees (PTCs);
• Support the documentation and dissemination of good practices and success stories generated through MEL processes;
• Contribute MEL-related content for project visibility and knowledge products.

Outputs to be achieved:

• MEL findings and lessons learned communicated to project management and PTCs on schedule;
• Good practices and success stories documented and disseminated;
• MEL-related content contributed to visibility and knowledge products.

Location: Home-based Lusaka

Capacity Building of the Project Partners/Beneficiaries

• Support capacity building of implementing p

  Capacity Building of the Project Partners/Beneficiaries

  • Support capacity building of implementing partners and local stakeholders on MEL practices and tools;
  • Facilitate training and coaching for PMU staff (Provincial Coordinators, Community Outreach Officers) on data collection and monitoring tools;
  • Support partners in adopting participatory monitoring approaches with ASM communities.

  Outputs to be achieved:

  • MEL capacity-building support delivered to implementing partners and local stakeholders;
  • PMU staff trained/coached on data collection and monitoring tools;
  • Partners supported in adopting participatory monitoring approaches.

  Location: Home-based Lusaka

  Reporting

  • Feed lessons learned into adaptive management processes and provide recommendations to the LTA and PDM;
  • Contribute MEL data and analysis to monthly, quarterly and annual project reports;
  • Maintain the project's MEL data systems and ensure data quality and accessibility.

  Outputs to be achieved:

  • Lessons learned fed into adaptive management, with recommendations documented;
  • MEL data and analysis contributed to monthly/quarterly/annual reports on schedule;
  • MEL data systems maintained, with data quality assured and accessible.

  Location: Home-based Lusaka

  Other Duties as Required by the LTA

  • Undertake field missions across the target provinces to support MEL activities as required;
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the LTA in support of the overall achievement of project objectives.

  Outputs to be achieved:

  • Field missions undertaken as required, with mission reports produced;
  • Additional tasks completed to the required quality and timeline.

  Location: Home-based Lusaka

  Minimum Organizational Requirements

  Education

  Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in monitoring and evaluation, statistics, social sciences, development studies or another relevant discipline is required; Alternatively, a first level university degree or an advanced technical college diploma may be acceptable provided it is combined with additional 5 years of professional hand-on experience that is directly relevant to the expertise required by the specific assignment.

  Technical and Functional Experience

  • At least five (5) years of professional experience in monitoring, evaluation, research or data analysis for development or technical cooperation projects, is required.
  • Experience designing and applying monitoring and evaluation frameworks, tools and outcome-tracking indicators, is required.
  • Experience in quantitative data collection and analysis, including the use of statistical or data analysis tools/software, is required.
  • Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems of Zambia or a similar country in the region is desirable.
  • Experience in working with government and development agencies in the province and in Zambia is desirable.
  • Experience with participatory monitoring approaches involving artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) or other rural/informal-sector communities is desirable.
  • Experience integrating gender-sensitive or GESI indicators into MEL frameworks is desirable.
  • Experience providing MEL capacity building to implementing partners is desirable.
  • Experience working with UN agencies or international development organizations is desirable.

  Languages

  Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of Nyanja, Bemba or another locally relevant Zambian language is desirable.

  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:

  APPLY NOW

  Application Deadline: 28 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

  ⚠️ Legitimate employers do not charge candidates fees to secure employment. Be cautious of anyone requesting payment in exchange for a job offer.

DATA ASSOCIATES

Project: Training in Work (TiW) Project

Implementing Agency: Avencion

Funding Partner: Built International Investment (BII)

Location: Chongwe and Chibombo Districts, Zambia

Duration: 6 weeks, with possible extension

About Avencion

Avencion is a project management and technology firm delivering innovative solutions and technical support across multiple sectors and locations in Zambia. Through its work with development partners and implementing organisations, Avencion supports programmes that generate practical evidence, strengthen institutional capacity, and contribute to sustainable development.

About the Project

BII Zambia is strengthening its Training into Work (TiW) model by integrating an entrepreneurship pathway that enables young people to pursue self-employment and sustainable enterprise growth alongside formal employment.

As part of this initiative, Avencion is undertaking research to generate evidence on labour market demand, skills gaps, employer needs, training effectiveness, and employment outcomes. The findings will inform programme design, improve training delivery, and support evidence-based decision-making for skills development interventions.

Avencion is therefore seeking qualified and experienced Data Associates to support the research team throughout the project.

The Opportunity

The Data Associates will play a key role in ensuring the quality, integrity, and usability of data generated during the research process. The successful candidates will support data collection, cleaning, validation, coding, analysis, visualisation, and reporting.

The role will involve working closely with the Project Lead, Research Lead, Monitoring and Evaluation team, and field teams to ensure that project data is accurate, reliable, secure, and suitable for generating meaningful research findings.

Key Responsibilities

1. Data Collection Support

• Support the design and technical review of digital and paper-based data collection tools.
• Assist with pre-testing, piloting, and validation of research instruments.
• Monitor incoming data and identify quality issues for timely resolution.
• Work with the Research Lead and field supervisors to address data collection challenges.

2. Data Cleaning, Validation and Management

• Organise, consolidate, and maintain project datasets.
• Clean and validate quantitative and qualitative data in line with established protocols.
• Identify and address missing values, inconsistencies, duplicate records, and outliers.
• Maintain accurate and well-organised data files throughout the project.

3. Data Coding and Entry

• Develop appropriate coding frameworks for quantitative and qualitative data.
• Code open-ended survey responses and qualitative information systematically.
• Support accurate data entry, verification, and reconciliation.

4. Data Analysis

• Conduct quantitative data analysis using appropriate statistical techniques and software.
• Support thematic analysis of data from Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).
• Support the integration of quantitative and qualitative findings.
• Generate tables, charts, and other outputs to communicate research findings effectively.

5. Data Protection and Ethical Compliance

• Maintain strict confidentiality of project and participant information.
• Ensure secure storage, transfer, and archiving of project data.
• Comply with approved research protocols and applicable data protection requirements.
• Adhere to Avencion's safeguarding, data protection, anti-fraud, and confidentiality policies.
• Ensure compliance with all ethical requirements throughout the assignment.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Data Science, Economics, Mathematics, Monitoring and Evaluation, Public Health, Social Sciences, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
• A postgraduate qualification will be an added advantage.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 3 years of demonstrated experience in data analysis within research or development programmes.
• Experience working with mixed-methods research designs.
• Experience handling and analysing large quantitative datasets.

Technical Skills

Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in one or more of the following:

• SPSS
• STATA
• R
• Python
• Advanced Microsoft Excel

Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or equivalent data visualisation platforms is highly desirable.

Knowledge of digital data collection platforms such as KoboToolbox, SurveyCTO, ODK, or similar platforms will be an added advantage.

Candidates should also be proficient in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint for report preparation and presentation.

Key Competencies

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High attention to detail and commitment to data quality.
• Ability to work with both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
• Strong communication and reporting skills.
• High levels of integrity and confidentiality.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and in field-based environments.

Application Requirements

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit a complete application package comprising:

• Updated CV
• Copies of academic qualifications

Ensure that your documents are cleanly named (i.e John Doe Avencion BII TiW Project CV or NRC or Qualifications)

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.