Requisition ID: 2340
Grade: ISA-Specialist
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
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Category: International ConsultantType of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 1 year
Application Deadline: 14-Jun-2023
Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
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 of 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 in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.
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 Departments/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.
The Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS) under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all relevant organizational entities within UNIDO, headed by a Managing Director, oversees the Organization's development of capacities for industrial development as well as industrial policy advice, statistics and research activities and the Organization's normative contribution to Member States and global development community in achieving the SDGs. The Directorate also ensures the application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to Environment, Energy, SMEs, Competitiveness and Job creation, as well as Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute toward effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results and on realizing any potential for scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora. The Directorate houses the technical Divisions of Capacity Development, Industrial Policy Advice and Statistics (TCS/CPS); Circular Economy and Environmental Protection (TCS/CEP); Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy (TCS/DSE); SMEs, Competitiveness and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and AI Strategies (TCS/DAS). The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO) and the Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET).
The Division of Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy (TCS/DSE) under the supervision of the Managing Director of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), and in close coordination with other organizational entities within UNIDO, assists Member States in the transition to a sustainable energy future through the application of renewable energy solutions for productive uses, adoption of the efficient concepts of energy use by industry and the introduction of low-carbon technologies and processes. In transitioning to a sustainable energy future, the challenges of addressing energy poverty and climate change are an integral part of the Division's activities, as is the dissemination of relevant knowledge and technologies and paths to plan, manage and finance the energy transition. It collaborates closely on relevant and converging issues with the Climate and Technology Partnerships Division (IET/CTP) and analytical and strategic matters with TCS/CPS and ODG/SPU.
This position is located under the Climate Technologies Innovation Unit (TCS/DSE/CTI) which is responsible for supporting Member States with access to and uptake of low-carbon, climate-friendly and clean energy technologies and innovations promoting those among firms and entrepreneurs. In addition, the Unit is responsible, in close collaboration with other relevant entities in the Organization, for facilitating the transfer of and establishing markets for low-carbon technologies, ensuring wide use by industry and local communities, thereby contributing to climate mitigation and resilience in recipient countries. The Unit positions UNIDO strategically in the global cleantech innovation support and coordinates partnerships with the technology mechanism of the UNFCCC.
PROJECT CONTEXT
Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility (SAP ID 220201)
UNIDO, in partnership with the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero of the UK is conducting the Inception Phase for the development of the Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility. The objective of the A2D Facility is to provide grant funding and bespoke technical assistance to accelerate the commercialization of innovative technologies and business models by advancing Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) under three priorities: critical minerals; clean hydrogen; and cross cutting decarbonisation technologies. These themes are under-funded but are crucial for climate change mitigation and contributing to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries. In particular, the A2D Facility will focus on innovation in the innovation valley of death from TRL 3 (proof of concept) to TRL 7 (pilot demonstration).
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
As a member of the A2D Secretariat, the incumbent shall carry out the following responsibilities during the A2D Facility Inception Phase and Implementation Phase. The incumbent will also carry out tasks to contribute to the results of the Unit and the outcomes of the Division:
Under the supervision of the A2D Chief Technical Advisor and A2D Facility Manager and coordinates with Chief of CTP, assist in appraising, adjusting and presenting project proposals in the area of clean hydrogen, and monitoring execution of projects supported under the A2D clean hydrogen pillar, identifying problems and utilizing information as an input to corrective actions to promote effective project management. The incumbent will be responsible for managing the A2D Facility’s clean hydrogen funding pillar under the supervision of the A2D Chief Technical Advisor and A2D Facility Manager and coordination with Chief of CTP, as well as performing other related duties and assignments for the A2D Facility more broadly, as required by the A2D Chief Technical Advisor and A2D Facility Manager. Develops and administers technical cooperation projects by:
Locate and analyze specific economic and social data and distilling and synthesizing information relevant to proposed projects;
Identify, describe and justify project possibilities related to a particular project and consistent with approved technical cooperation programmes and ongoing activities;
Appraise, review and adjust project proposals to ensure consistency with national, sub regional, regional and sectoral priorities and programmes, and with available resources; formulate and present such proposals on the basis of technical and substantive inputs in accordance with required format for final review and approval;
Develop schedules, arrangements and methods for the management of the execution of individual project/s, in consultation with project personnel, technical, substantive and administrative service units;
Exchange information required for project formulation and execution with government officials in planning, finance, donor input coordination and sectoral functions, as well as with representatives of multilateral and bilateral donor agencies;
Monitor and expedite project execution systematically through discussions and correspondence with technical, substantive and project staff, field visits, analysis of periodic project progress reports, participation in tripartite reviews and mid-term project evaluations; utilize information obtained as an input to corrective decision-making and revisions;
Organize and conduct briefings and debriefings on projects with special regard for the country, sub regional and regional aspects, resources and development characteristics, with a view to maximizing project performance levels.
Organize relevant events and outreach activities to enhance the visibility of the A2D Facility’s clean hydrogen funding and results;
Ensure that the donor’s annual “Logframe” milestones are met for the clean hydrogen pillar by collecting data and information from supported projects, working collaboratively with the A2D Facility Communications, Monitoring and Reporting Associate, and attend quarterly meetings with the donor and provide updates on the clean hydrogen pillar;
Develop a strong understanding of the wider landscape on clean hydrogen-related initiatives, workstreams and other funding streams internationally to facilitate complementarity, rather than overlap, and join-up across international organisations, governments and wider stakeholders on addressing the clean hydrogen challenge in developing country contexts.
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Education: Advanced university degree in engineering, energy, environmental services, financing or sciences is required. A specialization in climate and clean energy technologies, green hydrogen, sustainable industrial development, or other relevant field is desirable.
Technical and Functional Experience:
At least five (5) years of professional experience in the development and implementation of projects or programmes related to technology innovation and entrepreneurship, especially in the acceleration and scale-up of innovations in clean hydrogen or a related sector in developing country contexts, is required. Experience in the acceleration of SMEs and start-ups, climate technology value chain development, and designing and facilitating access to early-stage funding for climate SMEs, provisions of business growth support services, including experience at the international level focused on developing country contexts is highly preferred.
Ability to research and analyse information independently and recommend solutions is required.
Ability to write in a clear and concise manner is required.
Ability to work effectively in multi-cultural teams is desirable.
Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, is desirable.
Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
Core values:
WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.
WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner.
WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.
Key competencies:
WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity.
WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world.
WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work.
WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another.
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
