Senior Industrial Corridor Development Consultant
Organizational Context
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) promotes inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Member States, aligning with the 2030 Agenda and SDG-9. UNIDO's mandate focuses on building resilient infrastructure, fostering industrialization, and driving innovation. The organization's strategic framework emphasizes fair supply chains, renewable energy, and digital transformation, supported by technical cooperation, research, normative functions, and partnerships. This role is within the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations, specifically the Regional Bureau for Africa, coordinating UNIDO's interventions in Member States and supporting regional strategies and country programmes.
Job Purpose
To provide senior technical leadership for the initial development of the Mano River Union Strategic Economic and Industrial Corridor (MRU-SEIC) and its integration into the broader West Africa SEIC approach and investment architecture. This involves consolidating evidence, conducting diagnostics, preparing industrial and spatial frameworks, developing an investment portfolio, designing governance and project preparation mechanisms, supporting key forums, and establishing a phased implementation pathway.
Responsibilities
Lead the initial diagnostic, institutional, and project development phase for the MRU-SEIC. Coordinate with UNIDO, MRU Secretariat, Member States, ECOWAS, and other partners. Prepare for and support the West Africa Ministerial Forum and WAIIS, including project screening and investor engagement. Conduct comprehensive corridor diagnostics, analyze trade and production flows, and identify opportunities. Develop regional value chains, spatial frameworks, and policy recommendations. Design governance structures and investment portfolios, including project preparation facilities. Integrate sustainable development principles, climate resilience, and gender equality into the corridor program. Prepare the preparatory program and ensure handover.
Work Experience
Minimum of ten years of progressive professional experience in industrial development, regional economic integration, economic corridor development, spatial development, infrastructure-led growth, value-chain development, or investment planning, with senior international-level responsibility. Experience in at least three complex assignments related to economic corridors, regional integration, industrialization, spatial planning, or investment programs. Proven experience in diagnostics, strategy development, and translating findings into implementation roadmaps and investment pipelines. Experience in developing business cases, market assessments, project profiles, and preparation pathways. Experience facilitating multi-country and multi-stakeholder processes. Demonstrated knowledge of inclusive and sustainable industrial development, industrial policy, value chains, trade, logistics, infrastructure, climate resilience, and environmental/social sustainability. Ability to prepare high-quality documents for senior policymakers and financing partners. Experience in developing countries, particularly West Africa, and with MRU/ECOWAS institutions is desirable.
Skills
Strategic planning, economic analysis, industrial development, regional integration, infrastructure development, investment promotion, stakeholder engagement, project management, policy analysis, sustainable development, climate resilience, gender mainstreaming.