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Title: National Energy and Gender Coordinator

Requisition ID: 6773
Grade: ISA-NOC
Country: Sri Lanka
Duty Station: Colombo
Category: National Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Contract Duration: 84 workdays
Application deadline: 16-Dec-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 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.

The Directorate of 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, the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, ensures the Organization's application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to environment, energy, Micro, Small and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs), and digitalization. The Directorate also oversees the Organization's normative contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through industrial policy advice and capacity development. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute to effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results, scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.

The Directorate is responsible for the Division of Industrial Policy Advice and Capacity Development (TCS/IPC), and technical Divisions of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG), Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA), Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP); MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI). Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, TCS collaborates closely with IET to develop and implement programmes and projects, aiming at enhancing synergy and complementarity and maximizing UNIDO corporate performance and impacts on the ground. The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in all Directorates across the Organization.

The Division of Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA) 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, the Division of Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA) assists Member States in the transition to low-carbon and climate resilient economies through the promotion of renewable energy, energy efficiency solutions and breakthrough technologies in industry and other key sectors, diversifying supply chains for renewable energy manufacturing and stimulating innovation to address critical climate and energy related challenges.

The Division assists governments in fulfilling national commitments under the Paris Agreement and progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, thereby facilitating a just transition towards sustainable industrialization. In transitioning to a low-carbon and climate resilient economies, the challenges of addressing energy poverty and climate change are an integral part of the Division's activities, as is the dissemination of policies, knowledge and technologies and pathways to plan, manage and finance the energy transitions and climate action for industrial transformation. It collaborates closely on converging issues with IET/CTP and TCS/CMP.

The position is located under the Energy Systems and Industrial Decarbonization Unit (TCS/ECA/ESD) promotes the emergence, deployment and large-scale adoption of sustainable energy technologies to drive the decarbonization of energy systems and industrial processes. It supports Member States to charter pathways for net zero industrial development through the development of conducive policies. It also promotes the deployment of crosscutting energy efficiency solutions, electrification and carbon management of industrial processes in large and small-scale industries. It charters norms and standards for reporting embodied carbon in products and supports member states in developing the reporting and verification structures to support compliance with global standards.

PROJECT CONTEXT

“Accelerating Industries’ Climate Response in Sri Lanka” is a 5-year project funded by the European Union under GCCA+ initiative. The main government counterparts are the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Energy.

The overall objective of the Project is to contribute to climate change mitigation through supporting the implementation of Sri Lanka's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) for the industrial sector. The specific Project objective is to scale-up the climate change response of Sri Lanka’s industrial sector through the design and implementation of technical, policy, regulatory and financial tools and mechanisms to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy, energy and resource efficiency technologies and best practices.

The Project aims to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions through accelerating the uptake of innovative technologies, established best practices and methods for reducing carbon intensity and improving energy and resource efficiency performance of Sri Lanka’s industrial sector. Furthermore, this project is envisioned to contribute to long-term development gains such as capacity building of the government counterparts and empowerment of the project beneficiaries.

Expected Outcomes:

EO1: A Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system for the industry sector is developed and implemented and baseline for the industrial sector established
EO2: An industrial sector plan for implementing NDCs has been validated and activities prioritized according to agreed criteria
EO3: Policy and regulatory frameworks are improved and related awareness and capacity building of stakeholders to implement these frameworks have been built
EO4: Capacity related to climate change mitigation practices in the area of industry is built
EO5: Pilot technologies and methodologies leading to improved energy efficiency and reduction in GHG emissions are tested to be then replicated

The Project is implemented with the support of EU GCCA+ initiative, which aims to assist the world’s most vulnerable countries to respond to climate change. The project corresponds with the following priorities: to contribute to enhancing Sri Lanka's resilience to climate change while enabling the engagement in low-carbon development processes via the implementation of the NDCs.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The services to be provided by the National Energy and Gender Coordinator (hereinafter simply the Consultant) within the scope of the present individual service agreement (ISA) are aimed to revise the Project’s Gender Action Plan and support its implementation in line with the UNIDO guide on gender mainstreaming in energy and climate change projects.

The Consultant is expected to provide the technical expertise, skills and experience required to identify how to best integrate the gender dimension in the Project activities of the UNIDO with the goal of promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women in the energy efficiency intervention areas of the project. The Consultant’s work will also provide inputs on mainstreaming gender in the energy efficiency activities in the industrial sector and contribute to the implementation of the action plan across project activities.

The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the UNIDO Project Manager, supported by the UNIDO Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Office. The Consultant will collaborate closely with the UNIDO Project Management Unit (PMU) based in Colombo.

The Consultant will be expected to carry out the following tasks/duties:

Main Duties	Measurable outputs to be achieved	Expected duration	Location
Coordination and reporting
1. Coordination: The Consultant shall liaise with the UNIDO Project Manager, the UNIDO Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Office, and the Project Management Unit (PMU) in Sri Lanka and other relevant project experts and partners.	Strong coordination and alignment within the project team	4 days	Home based
2. Monitoring and Reporting: The Consultant shall support ongoing project monitoring and reporting.	As required, provide updated to project team on progress for reporting purposes. Final report of activities prepared.	3 days	Home based
Review and revised Gender Action Plan
3. Review of existing gender action plan: The Consultant shall review the UNIDO Operational Strategy for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women 2024-2027, the Project’s Gender Action Plan and other relevant materials linked to industrial decarbonization and Gender in Sri Lanka.	Materials reviewed and evaluated as reference for gender action plan.	2 days	Home based
Stakeholder consultations: The consultant shall conduct consultations with Project team and national stakeholders	Inputs collected from the national project team and reviewed by the UNIDO Project Manager. Inputs collected from national stakeholders.	4 days	Home based
Gap analysis and recommendations: The consultant shall conduct consultations with Project team and national stakeholders	Gap analysis and recommendations for Gender Action Plan submitted to Project Manager	3 days	Home based
Revision of Gender Action Plan: The consultant shall update the current plan based on the review of relevant documents, stakeholder consultations and gap analysis. The Plan will then be finalized based on final round of consultations.	Revised Gender Action Plan submitted to Project Manager Feedback incorporated and finalized document resubmitted to Project Manager.	5 days	Home based
White Paper on Women, Industrial Decarbonization and Innovation in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s industrial sector stands at a critical juncture in its transition toward low-carbon growth, driven by national climate commitments and global decarbonization imperatives. Yet, the gender dimensions of this transition remain underexplored, despite the transformative potential of women’s leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship in shaping sustainable industrial futures. This white paper examines the intersection of gender equity, industrial decarbonization, and innovation, highlighting how women can—and must—play a central role in advancing inclusive, climate-resilient industrial development. Drawing on policy analysis, stakeholder consultations, and case studies, the paper identifies structural barriers and enabling conditions for women’s participation in industrial transformation. It explores opportunities for gender-responsive policy design, capacity building, and cleantech entrepreneurship, offering actionable recommendations to embed gender equity into Sri Lanka’s industrial decarbonization strategies. By framing women not only as beneficiaries but as innovators and change agents, this paper aims to inform policymakers, industry leaders, and development partners on how to unlock the full potential of inclusive industrial climate action.
Inception and planning: Establish scope, objectives, and work plan through initial meetings and preparatory research.	Finalized work plan with timeline and responsibilities Stakeholder map identifying key actors across gender and industry Annotated outline of the white paper structure	4 days	Home based
Literature Review & Background Research: Conduct a comprehensive review of national and international sources on gender and industrial decarbonization including consideration for implementation of Sri Lanka’s new NDC.	Summary of at least 30 reviewed sources Annotated bibliography with relevance to Sri Lanka Matrix of key themes and gaps identifie	6 days	Home based
10. Stakeholder Engagement: Gather insights through consultations with diverse stakeholders to inform gender-responsive recommendations.	15. Minimum of 25 stakeholders consulted (interviews, focus groups) 16. Stakeholder input summary report 17. Gender and inclusion gaps validated through field insight	10 days	Home based
Drafting the White Paper: Develop the full draft integrating research findings, stakeholder input, and strategic recommendations.	18. Draft white paper (20–30 pages) with executive summary 19. Inclusion of at least 3 case studies 20. Draft policy recommendations and gender integration strategies	12 days	Home based
12. Validation and feedback: Present draft findings for review and incorporate feedback from experts and stakeholders.	One validation workshop conducted Feedback matrix summarizing inputs and revisions Revised draft incorporating stakeholder feedback	4 days	Home based
13. Finalization and dissemination materials: Finalize the white paper and prepare supporting materials for outreach and policy engagement.	24. Final white paper submitted 25. 2-page policy brief summarizing key findings 26. Presentation slides for dissemination	3 days	Home based
Implementation and Awareness Raising
14. Technical input into project activities: Based on the results of the Gender Action Plan and White Paper, the Consultant shall provide technical inputs into project activities. Indicative list of activities includes the following: Guidebook on Industrial Decarbonization for policy makers and experts Top 100 Energy User policy Net-zero Roadmap for Textile and Apparel NDC 3.0 Implementation Plan Finance strategy and implementation plan for industrial decarbonization	Participation in relevant stakeholder workshops and consultations Inputs provided to Project coordination unit	12 days	Home based
Industry Dialogue 2026: Provide support to Project Coordination Unit in planning and organization of Industry Dialogue and integrating gender dimension into programming	Inputs provided into Industry Dialogue 2026 concept. Provide support to PCU on day-of event.	5 days	Home based
Deliver three (3) awareness sessions on White Paper to policy makers, academia and young entrepreneurs: Prepare material and deliver awareness sessions for policy makers, academia and young entrepreneurs. UNIDO will support coordination and organization of the sessions.	Presentation slides submitted Photos of presentations	7 days	Home based
Total number of working days		84

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree in engineering, sciences, energy, or other 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.

Additional specialisation on gender and/or climate change mitigation/adaptation issues is desirable.

Technical and Functional Experience:

At least five (5) years of progressive professional experience writing and publishing on topics such as energy, environment, industry, entrepreneurship, climate change and/or gender is required.
Experience promoting gender equality and women empowerment in development context is required.
Experience in the development and implementation in industry of energy management systems in compliance with national as well as international standards is desirable.
Experience in working with the UN system, international organizations or non-governmental organizations and with the donors community, is desirable.
Experience/knowledge of the international development agenda, and strategic issues of economic transformation, is desirable.
Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems of developing countries is desirable.
Oral communications skills, strong ability to liaise and engage with stakeholders and willingness to work alone as well as part of a team is required.

Languages Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of Sinhala or Tamil 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

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