​​Requisition ID: 6340 
Grade: ISA-P4 
Country: Home Based 
Duty Station: Home Based 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Contract Duration: 5-60 workdays
Application Deadline: 06-Oct-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
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.

The Directorate is responsible for the Divisions of Strategic Planning and South-South Cooperation (SPP/SSC), Strategic Engagement and Coordination (SPP/SEC), Strategic Programming, Results Monitoring and Quality Assurance (SPP/SPM), Industrial Policy Research and Statistics (SPP/IPS), Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (SPP/GEW) and Knowledge Management (SPP/KMG).

Division of Strategic Programming, Results Monitoring and Quality Assurance (SPP/SPM)

Under the supervision of the Managing Director of the Directorate for Strategic Programming and Policy (SPP) and in close coordination with relevant organizational entities, the Division of Strategic Programming, Results Monitoring and Quality Assurance (SPP/SPM) monitors the strategic alignment, quality and results of all services and of UNIDO projects and programmes in line with the IRPF in order to enhance UNIDO’s performance and results. The Division provides advisory services to enhance the quality of programme and project design and supports all Directorates in achieving the expected results, thus ensuring comprehensive reporting on the expected results from the UNIDO programme and budget, the MTPF and the IRPF.

The Quality Assurance and Safeguards Unit (SPP/SPM/QAS), manages, among others, the implementation of UNIDO Environmental and Social Policies and Procedures (ESSPP) (AI/2021/03) and its application to UNIDO projects and programmes, functions as the Secretariat of the Operations Committee to ensure the quality of UNIDO programmes and projects at entry through review and clearance of design documents prior to approval; provides advisory services to UNIDO personnel to enhance the quality of programme and project design, in particular for complex and innovative proposals. The Environmental and Social Safeguards roster will be administered by SPP/SPM/QAS so as to refer experts to project teams across the Organization to provide direct support. SPP/SPM/QAS will provide advisory support, but the experts will ultimately be hired by different (technical) teams based on their needs.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the lead technical team at HQ or in the field and in close coordination with SPP/SPM/QAS, the Environmental and Social Safeguards Expert may be requested to perform the following tasks:

• Provide expert advisory input into the revision of UNIDO's safeguards framework based on international best practices (e.g., IFC Performance Standards, UN Common Approach);
• Provide actionable recommendations to ensure the proper design and implementation of project-level Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRMs) in alignment with international best practices;
• Develop Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF) and other required safeguard instruments;
• Conduct field monitoring missions and remote monitoring to assess the implementation of environmental and social safeguards in ongoing projects, providing timely guidance, identifying any corrective measures needed and leading the formulation of action plans, where necessary;
• Design and deliver capacity-building initiatives on environmental and social safeguards, prepare training materials, coordinate logistics; support workshops, etc.;
• Develop guidance documents tools supporting project teams in efficient and effective identification, mitigation and monitoring of negative environmental and social impacts;
• Undertake policy or procedural benchmarking with other UN agencies and IFIs;
• Produce reports, ad-hoc assignments and research activities, as required.

Depending on the assigned tasks, key deliverables may include:

• Actionable Recommendations Brief outlining concrete steps for strengthening safeguards integration in UNIDO projects, including proposed revisions to procedures, tools, and monitoring approaches;
• Report on policy or procedural benchmarking with other UN organizations and IFIs;
• Validated safeguard instruments such as Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) or Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF); developed in accordance with international standards and tailored to project-specific contexts.
• Documented Case Studies capturing examples of successful safeguards implementation or innovative mitigation measures, for inclusion in UNIDO’s knowledge base;
• Updated Safeguards Toolkit incorporating guidance notes, templates, training materials, and checklists refined or created during the assignment, ready for deployment by project teams.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree (masters or equivalent) in environmental studies, social studies, economics, business administration, managerial economics, social science, international relations, environmental studies or relevant field is required.

Alternatively, a first level university degree or an advanced technical college diploma may be acceptable provided it is combined with additional 7 years of professional hand-on experience that is directly relevant to the expertise required by the specific assignment.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in environmental and social safeguards in international development, including significant experience in applying and ensuring adherence to safeguards in complex, multi-stakeholder projects is required.
• Deep knowledge of international ESS frameworks and implementation modalities (e.g., IFC Performance Standards, World Bank ESF, UN Common Approach) as well as their relevance and state of development within the UN system and with regard to institutional funding partners is required.
• Proven experience in institutional capacity building and training delivery is required.
• Experience in drafting and/or assessing ESS studies, such as ESIA, ESMF and ESMP 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