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Title:  Intern - Energy Systems and Decarbonization Unit

​​Requisition ID: 2333 
Grade: Intern
Category: Internship
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Duty Station: Vienna, Austria 
Entry Date: As soon as possible
Internship Duration: 3-6 months
Application Deadline: 12-Jun-2023 

 

Vacancy Announcement
 

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), 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 responsibility of the Division of Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy (TCS/DSE) is to assist 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/CPA and ODG/SPU.

 

This internship position is located under Energy Systems and Decarbonization Unit (TCS/DSE/ESD), which focuses on promoting sustainable energy solutions and infrastructure for industrial development. It promotes industrial decarbonization through crosscutting solutions, such as optimized energy management systems and the deployment of renewable energy technologies. Bringing together the supply and demand side for disruptive energy solutions, both technical and business related, the Unit fosters transformative change on the system level driven by the convergence of key technologies such as distributed generation, digitization and storage. The Unit is also responsible for coordinating dialogues and partnerships at national, regional and global levels to promote disruptive energy solutions and shape policy change for this. Finally, the Unit positions UNIDO strategically in the global energy and climate change forums and coordinates the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres (GN-SEC) and related partnerships.

 

Project Context

The GN-SEC is a flagship progamme of the DSE division. Through the GN-SEC, UNIDO assists regional organizations and their Member States in the establishment of regional sustainable energy centers. UNIDO builds consensus between countries and provides support for institution-building and technical program development. UNIDO is applying a modular twinning approach (peer to peer learning), which delegates, depending on the progress, more and more responsibilities to the management of the centres. The expanding network has approval by more than one hundred Ministers of Energy and comprises eight operating centres in Africa, the Arab region, the Caribbean and Central America, the Pacific and Himalaya-Hindukush. The centres are part of the regional economic integration efforts and work towards the creation of common markets for renewable energy and energy efficiency (RE&EE) products and services. Currently, the network is expanding to Central Africa and Central Asia.

The duration of an internship at UNIDO is between three to six months, is unpaid and full-time. The Intern works under the supervision of a staff member, in the department or office that they are assigned to. The Intern shall cover all costs associated with their internship, including visas, travel to and from the duty station, insurance, transportation, accommodation and living expenses.

 

GENERIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

The Intern will work under the direct supervision of the GN-SEC Coordinator, the ESD Unit Chief and other experts within the ESD team.  

 

The Intern shall be engaged as follows:

Exposed to the regular core functions of the GN-SEC Programme and as such shall have the opportunity to observe the day-to-day operations and engage in on-the-job training in specific actions delegated by the Supervisor;

  • Support the GN-SEC team with research inputs and the drafting of project proposals (both on climate change mitigation and adaptation);

  • Support in identifying knowledge gaps in the formulation of successful technology facilitation projects and programmes;

  • Support in liaising with relevant stakeholders, notably development practitioners and academics, to challenge current practices and identify avenues to improve the impact of interventions on technology facilitation;

  • Support in capturing the elements mentioned above into a document, using academic referencing;

  • Assist with the preparation of the upcoming GN-SEC Programme Steering Committee meeting, the Vienna Energy Forum  and other major events;

  • Assist the direct supervisor and the GN-SEC team with any other business-related tasks, as required;

  • Work on other special emerging projects that may enhance the learning experience of the Intern.

Prepare an end-of-internship report, to be submitted to and cleared by UNIDO Internship Coordination.

 

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

 

Age: Minimum 20 years on the first day of the internship.

Education: Enrolled in a university degree programme; or begin the internship within one year of completing a university degree; or completed a university degree and be sponsored as part of an academic or development programme. 

Field of specialization: Low carbon and climate resilient technologies, climate change mitigation and/or adaptation, development studies and/or climate finance, economics, international relations, business administration.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of another UN language, particularly French or Spanish, is an asset.  

Other skills: Basic knowledge of climate change technologies and policies, and familiarity with the Green Climate Fund, or other multilateral climate finance institutions, is an asset.

 

CORE 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. 

 

LEARNING ELEMENTS

  • Become acquainted with the most up-to-date technical, economic and industrial developments in the relevant field of specialization of the GN-SEC Programme. Furthermore, he/she is expected to deepen his/her knowledge in the fields of new products/services and process design.

  • Learn about i) a programme focusing on regional partnerships climate and innovation, and ii) elements of a programme evaluation exercise in UNIDO.

  • Contribute to improving coordination and communication skills in the international development context.

  • Gain experience in project design and management.

  • Acquire on the job training: participation in every phase of the project implementation process.

  • Gain experience in working effectively in a diverse and multi-cultural environment.


UNIDO Interns are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity at all times, both at work and outside.
Only candidates who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for internships at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted through the UNIDO Online Recruitment System.

Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process.

Visit the UNIDO website for details on how to apply: www.careers.unido.org

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: internship@unido.org

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