Title:  National Coordinator and ESG Expert

​Requisition ID: 5724 
Grade: NOC (SB-5) 
Country: India 
Duty Station: Chennai 
Category: National Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Contract Duration: 40 workdays
Application deadline: 31-May-2025, 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.
 

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 Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

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.

PROJECTS CONTEXT

ID 240255 - Partnerships for sustainable, inclusive and circular supply chains

The project, funded by the Government of Finland, aims to foster sustainable, inclusive and circular global supply chains across multiple sectors and regions. With a focus on three key outputs – living income in cocoa, skills development in machinery sector, and advancing design for circularity in policy - the program seeks to ensure economic prosperity while safeguarding the environment, fostering social equity and promoting gender equality. Through collaborative private sector partnerships, the program aims to facilitate responsible business practices and pave the way for a more equitable and resilient future. This project forms part of UNIDO's Global Programme on Sustainable Supply Chains, coordinated by IET/PST and jointly implemented with IET/PPP and TCS/CEG.

Through Output 2, the project concentrates on skills development in the machinery sector in India, particularly in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The output includes skills development in two levels: executive and operational management level on ESG issues and opportunities. KONE Corporation (KONE) will contribute as a project partner with in-kind contributions by facilitating contacts, supporting the engagement of the industry supply chain, and providing technical expertise, skills development and excursion possibilities. The present Job Description targets to recruit a national expert on ESG-related standards to coordinate the project’s strategy in Chennai.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the UNIDO Project Manager, the consultant provides technical services to facilitate technical local implementation in India, stakeholder coordination and oversight of technical activities. The incumbent is responsible for the following key functions:

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Initial Assessment of Project Context in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (20 days)

• Collect and synthesize data on the local industrial ecosystem of the machinery sector, identifying specific segments of the value chain to be the main project target (considering KONE’s feedback).

• Identify and analyze key ESG-related requirements applicable to the selected machinery sub-value chain in India, focusing on international buyers' expectations (e.g., KONE) and regulatory frameworks such as the EU’s CSDDD and CSRD.

• Conduct visits, interviews, or surveys with companies, suppliers, intermediaries, and other relevant project stakeholders.

• Define priority thematic areas to guide the development of competency-based ESG curricula for both operational and managerial levels.

• Engage with KONE and other industry stakeholders to validate findings and align with supply chain expectations.

• Design and facilitate a validation workshop with private sector representatives to present the ESG needs analysis, collect feedback, and refine the scope of work for the ESG training curricula.

Output:

• Reports capturing analysis, stakeholder input, and final scoping of ESG curriculum development (operational and managerial levels).

Support to TOR Development and Procurement of specialized firm for curricula development (5 days)

• Contribute to the development and technical review of Terms of Reference (TORs) for consultancies to develop ESG-related curricula.

• Provide contextual insights to ensure TORs are aligned with national realities and project goals.

Output:

• TORs developed for each thematic area selected for ESG curriculum development.

Identification and Analysis of Training Providers for implementing ESG curricula (10 days)

• Conduct a mapping of potential training institutions in India for ESG curricula delivery, including TVET institutions, private centers, and universities.

• Develop and apply a rapid assessment framework based on relevance, capacity, reach, industry linkages, and institutional commitment.

• Gather basic data (desk reviews, short surveys, interviews) to assess institutional interest and alignment.

• Prepare a shortlist of institutions best suited to pilot the ESG curricula and benefit from institutional strengthening.

Output:

• Report summarizing mapping, assessment criteria, findings, and shortlist with justifications.

Stakeholder Engagement, partnership building and Coordination (Alongside the duration and performance of activities)

• Serve as the local focal point for communication with KONE India, government bodies, industry associations, and other stakeholders.

• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and promote public-private collaboration for the project.

• Organize and participate in stakeholder meetings and consultations.

• Maintain regular communication with the UNIDO project team and provide updates as per the work plan.

Outputs:

• Effective stakeholder engagement and coordination with the UNIDO team.

• Work plan submitted to the Project Manager at the start of the assignment.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in engineering, sciences, economics, business administration, or other relevant discipline is required.

Experience, Technical and Functional Expertise:

• At least five (5) years of relevant professional experience including ESG-related project implementation or consulting, particularly in the private sector, manufacturing industry, or similar, is required.
• Proven experience working with stakeholder coordination and/or capacity-building, ideally in relation to sustainability and corporate engagement, or value chain initiatives is required.
• Demonstrated experience working with technical cooperation or development assistance programs in India is required.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills, including the ability to work with multiple stakeholders across sectors and cultures is required.
• Familiarity with the machinery or industrial manufacturing sector is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or 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