[Hiring] Senior Industrial Corridor Development Consultant @UNIDO

Role Description

The consultant will provide senior technical leadership for the initial development of the MRU–SEIC and its linkage to the broader West Africa SEIC approach and WAIIS investment architecture. The consultant will consolidate existing evidence, undertake corridor diagnostics, prepare the initial industrial and spatial framework, develop a structured regional investment portfolio, design governance and project-preparation mechanisms, support the Ministerial Forum and WAIIS, and establish a phased pathway for implementation, financing, monitoring and institutionalization.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in economics, industrial development, economic geography, regional or urban planning, public policy, international development, infrastructure planning, finance, engineering, business administration or other relevant discipline.
• Specialization in economic corridor development, regional industrial planning, spatial planning project preparation or investment programme development.

Requirements

• At least ten (10) years of progressive professional experience in industrial development, regional economic integration, economic-corridor development, spatial development, infrastructure-led growth, value-chain development, investment planning or closely related fields.
• Leadership or substantive technical responsibility in at least three complex assignments involving economic corridors, regional integration, industrialization, industrial clusters or special economic zones (SEZs).
• Proven experience in undertaking economic, spatial, institutional and political-economy diagnostics and translating findings into strategies, implementation roadmaps and investment pipelines.
• Experience developing business cases, market assessments, project profiles, prioritization systems and project-preparation pathways.
• Experience in facilitating multi-country and multi-institutional processes involving governments, regional organizations, private-sector actors, financial institutions, development partners and affected stakeholders.
• Demonstrated knowledge of inclusive and sustainable industrial development, industrial policy, regional value chains, trade and logistics, productive infrastructure, climate resilience and environmental and social sustainability.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare high-quality analytical, policy and decision-making documents for senior policymakers, regional institutions and financing partners.
• Experience working in developing countries, particularly in West Africa, is desirable.
• Experience in at least two MRU Member States and familiarity with MRU and ECOWAS institutions, the AfCFTA, Agenda 2063, PIDA, IDDA IV, PAIDA and African corridor-development frameworks is desirable.
• Experience using GIS, spatial economic analysis, value-chain tools, multi-criteria project appraisal, cost-benefit analysis or financial modelling is desirable.
• Experience working with UNIDO, another United Nations entity, an international financial institution, a regional organization or a bilateral development agency is desirable.
• Experience in fragile or conflict-affected settings and in conflict-sensitive, gender-responsive and climate-resilient programme design is desirable.
• A demonstrated record of mobilizing partnerships or financial resources for large, multi-sector development programmes is desirable.

Benefits

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Fluency and/or Working knowledge of French is strongly desirable.

Core Values and Behaviors

• 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.

• 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.