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Title:  H2 Project Development Expert

​​Requisition ID: 6016 
Grade: P3 (Specialist) 
Country: Austria 
Duty Station: Vienna 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Application Deadline: 07-Aug-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 of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET)  is responsible for the Divisions of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR), Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST), Climate and Technology Partnerships (IET/CTP), Innovative Finance and International Financial Institutions (IET/IFI), and Public-Private Partnerships (IET/PPP). Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, IET collaborates closely with TCS 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

 

 

This position is located in the Climate and Technology Partnerships Division (IET/CTP) in the Directorate on SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET). Under the 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 Climate and Technology Partnerships (IET/CTP) develops coherent partnership strategies for the design and incubation of innovative climate and technology programmes and actions to support governments and industries of Member States to push for net zero industrial development to fulfil national and global climate commitments and strategies.

 

 

The focus of the Division is to identify and advance promising new climate and technology initiatives and design impact-oriented proposals for TC, negotiate and coordinate innovative partnerships to support the joint elaboration and initiation of these TC programmes, develop technical meetings and consultations for Member States, accompanying knowledge products and incubate the innovative technical programmes to maturity.The Division positions UNIDO strategically in global fora and high-level policy discussions relevant to innovative climate and technology partnerships.

 

 

In the development of strategic partnerships on climate and technology, the Division engages with a broad range of stakeholders to support Member States in their pathway to facilitate and accelerate a just economic transformation through net zero industrial development. The Division collaborates closely on crosscutting matters with TCS/ECA, TCS/CMP, TCS/IPC and on overall strategic planning and UN engagement with SPP/SSC, SPP/SEC, and develops strategic partnerships and mobilize innovative finances respectively with IET/PPP and IET/IFI.

 

 

PROJECT CONTEXT

 

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is implementing a project “Net zero global pipeline development for investment-ready proposals” with the overall objective of developing bankable Net Zero Global Pipeline Projects that support difficult to abate sectors.

 

The project is comprised of two components namely: (i) Establishing Industrial Decarbonization Hubs and (ii) Establishing Low-carbon Hydrogen platforms across targeted industries. This assignment addresses project component two (ii), with the overall objective of supporting the use of low-carbon hydrogen technologies for the production and local applications of hydrogen and its derivatives. The component aims to facilitate the deployment of clean hydrogen solutions in developing countries and transitioning economies, where industrial growth is rapidly expanding and the urgent need for sustainable transformation is apparent.

 

The industrial sector is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with cement, metallurgy and chemical industries alone accounting for approximately 16% of global emissions. Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 requires transformative approaches to how industries operate, particularly in developing countries and transitioning economies. As demand for industrial products grows alongside urbanization and economic development, particularly in emerging markets, deep decarbonization of these energy-intensive sectors is crucial. 

 

Low-emission hydrogen, therefore, presents a vital solution for decarbonizing and could contribute to the emissions reductions needed by 2050. Simultaneously, its adoption remains limited due to technical, financial, and economic barriers. UNIDO's efforts under this component aim to accelerate the deployment of clean hydrogen by developing a global pipeline of investment-ready hydrogen projects, enhancing technical and institutional capacity, and promoting innovation and technology collaboration.

 

As part of the project’s hydrogen component, a global pipeline of low-carbon hydrogen projects will be developed. The project will target developing countries and transition economies, particularly Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, and a 4th country to be identified. The project will increase awareness at global level on the potential role of low-carbon hydrogen in reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change and positioning hydrogen as a key component of sustainable energy transition.

 

 

 

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Under the supervision of the Project Manager and National project team in the Climate and Technology Partnerships (CTP) Division, the Project Development Expert will assist in appraising, adjusting, and presenting low-carbon hydrogen project proposals, monitor national  implementation of hydrogen platform activities, identify and redress arising issues, and apply corrective actions to ensure effective project management. Specifically, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

 

Project Development and Stakeholder Engagement

  • The incumbent shall provide strong support to National team and ongoing initiative in the assigned country by collating and justifying low-carbon hydrogen project opportunities consistent with approved technical cooperation programmes, national policies, and sectoral priorities
  • Provide technical support analysing, and synthesising relevant economic, environmental, and technical information. The incumbent shall support the preparation and drafting of hydrogen project proposals, liaising with national service providers.
  • Appraise, review, and refine proposals, ensuring alignment with available resources, established strategies, and stakeholder expectations.
  • Review pre-feasibility assessments for selected low-carbon hydrogen projects, evaluating technical viability, financial feasibility, and potential environmental benefits.
  • Identify potential financing sources (particularly at national levels), and investment-risk mitigation instruments to enhance project bankability and facilitate funding mobilization.
  • Consult with governmental counterparts, industry representatives, financial institutions, and international stakeholders.
  • Support the national project coordinator organize and conduct briefings, workshops, and knowledge-sharing events, considering country-specific, regional, and global contexts to maximize project performance and impact.

 

Project Execution and Monitoring

  • Develop detailed schedules, methods, and arrangements to effectively manage and monitor the execution of individual hydrogen projects in consultation with technical, administrative, and project personnel.
  • Systematically track project execution through regular discussions, correspondence with project staff, field visits, analysis of periodic progress reports, and participation in project reviews and evaluations.
  • Utilize information obtained from monitoring activities to inform decision-making processes, propose corrective actions, and enhance project effectiveness and timely implementation.
  • Provide substantive input into the preparation and dissemination of project progress reports and other monitoring documentation for internal and external stakeholders.
 
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

 

Education: Advanced university degree in Energy, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Industrial Engineering, or another relevant discipline with specialization in areas related to low emission hydrogen, or renewables is required.

 

Technical and Functional Experience:

  • A minimum of five (5) years’ work experience in technical cooperation project management or portfolio project management, including some exposure at the international level is required.
  • Expertise in Renewable Energy, Low Emission technologies, policies, and/or systems as well as experience in the design, and development of bi/multilateral donors (GEF, GCF, EU, MAF, etc.)  funded project is required.
  • Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, is desirable. Exposure to the needs, conditions and problems in transitioning economies with similar context as Brazil, Mexico and South Africa is an asset.
  • Experience in writing and reviewing technical reports, excellent communication skills, and enabling the effective sharing of knowledge and information with a diverse audience is desirable.

 

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of Spanish and/or Portuguese is an asset.

 

 

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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