​​Requisition ID: 5704 
Grade: P2 (Junior Specialist) 
Country: Austria 
Duty Station: Vienna 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: One year, with possibility of extension (based on availability of funds)
Application Deadline: 14-Jul-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.

Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with relevant organizational entities, 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 climaterelevant or climate-improving technologies. It is also, in collaboration with ODG, responsible for developing innovative cooperation concepts, identifying new sources and means of innovative finance and entering into new partnerships with a broad range of relevant stakeholders.

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  

Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015 and entered into force in 2016, is a legally binding international treaty on climate change, which mandates countries into climate action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Article 6 of the Paris Agreement provides principles for how countries can “pursue voluntary cooperation” to reach their climate targets. Against this backdrop, an internal UNIDO Task Force was set up to investigate the potential role the Organization could play in helping developing countries benefit from renewable energy and industrial decarbonisation projects on the voluntary carbon markets. Building on the outcomes of the work carried out by the Task Force, UNIDO is establishing and operationalizing mechanisms for effective collaboration and coordination among diverse stakeholders in carbon solutions, resulting in the identification, evaluation, and capitalization of opportunities for carbon credit generation in the context of industrial decarbonization interventions. The following services and activities are under establishment: 1. Build trust on the integrity and credibility of carbon projects, developing and expanding a portfolio of carbon offset projects by collaborating with industry partners and governments. This includes incorporating carbon offset mechanisms into UNIDO technical cooperation projects, creating tools for assessing carbon credit eligibility during project formulation, and offering a certification package to ensure projects meet trusted carbon standards and involve reputable service providers. 2. Build know-how on Article 6 for developing countries: this includes identifying institutional gaps and opportunities, assisting in country-to-country carbon market agreements, creating platforms for interaction with private sector entities, and raising awareness through workshops, seminars, and community outreach, alongside engaging UNIDO Member States in discussions to foster collaborative approaches and peer learning. 3. Position UNIDO in the UN system coordination on carbon markets: ensuring UNIDO participation to high-level fora, coordination groups, and policy dialogues, strengthening its role and coordination within the UN system on carbon market. 4. Build UNIDO internal know-how on carbon markets: activities focus on enhancing the capacity of UNIDO personnel by organizing specialized training sessions on carbon offsetting methodologies and the specific requirements for carbon projects. The new set of services is expected to result in the development of carbon solutions for UNIDO Member States and the enhancing of the capacity and coordination of developing countries in participating in carbon markets, while positioning UNIDO as a central figure in the UN system’s carbon market coordination and strengthening the integrity and credibility of carbon projects globally, ultimately contributing to mitigating climate change and promoting a sustainable, low-carbon future.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

Under the supervision of the Division Chief, and working with the project team, administers elements of technical cooperation programme or specific project/s of limited complexity and execution of technical cooperation programmes and activities. The incumbent shall carry out following main duties.

• Select, organize and summarize background information to describe the overall context and background relevant to a project or a sector of technical cooperation activities in a country, assess the local context for the planning and administration of individual technical cooperation projects;

• Analyze and interpret project background history and documentation; identify, reconstruct and document significant project events, decisions and deviations;

• Draft sections of project documents such as project background and justification;

• Inform experts, consultants and other project participants about logistical arrangements and internal procedures for monitoring and reporting in terms of the immediate objectives of specific projects;

• Monitor specific aspects of project execution and identify problems and proposing that actions be taken to expedite delivery of inputs;

• Draft comments on designated aspects of project progress as an input to programme monitoring;

• Draft project revisions, including adjusting individual project budgets, based on changed work plans.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in engineering, sciences, economics, business administration, international relations or other relevant discipline with fundamentals of carbon markets is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

At least three (3) years of work experience in area relevant for the recruiting office is required.

Ability to research and analyse information is required.

Exposure to the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries is desirable. 

Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

REQUIRED VALUES AND 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