Title:  Project Specialist

​​Requisition ID: 2282 
Grade: ISA-Specialist 
Country: Austria 
Duty Station: Vienna 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular 
Application Deadline: 30-May-2023  

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Female candidates are particularly 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 Departments/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

The Division of Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy (TCS/DSE) 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, assists 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/CPS and ODG/SPU.

This position is located under the Climate Technologies Innovation Unit (TCS/DSE/CTI) which is responsible for supporting Member States with access to and uptake of low-carbon, climate-friendly and clean energy technologies and innovations promoting those among firms and entrepreneurs. In addition, the Unit is responsible, in close collaboration with other relevant entities in the Organization, for facilitating the transfer of and establishing markets for low-carbon technologies, ensuring wide use by industry and local communities, thereby contributing to climate mitigation and resilience in recipient countries. The Unit positions UNIDO strategically in the global cleantech innovation support and coordinates partnerships with the technology mechanism of the UNFCCC, including the co-management of the CTCN on behalf of UNIDO.

PROJECT CONTEXT

“Enhancing Lesotho’s private sector readiness for a clean energy transition” is a UNIDO project developed and implemented in partnership with Ministry of Energy and Meteorology of Lesotho and the Green Climate Fund, under the GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme.   

The project aims to enhance the readiness of Lesotho’s private sector to develop, commercialize, and invest in climate and clean energy (cleantech) solutions, as well as to maximize the economic growth opportunities embedded therein, while supporting Lesotho in reaching its NDC targets. To this end, this proposal will focus on three areas of intervention:   

• Strengthening private sector’s capacity, systems, and networks to support the planning, programing, and implementation of GCF funded activities   

• Developing a strategy to create a conducive environment for attracting private sector investment for cleantech solutions   

• Developing a pipeline of investment-grade solutions, and two concept notes to leverage private sector financing for large-scale deployment of cleantech solutions   

Private sector capacity strengthening will involve two types of direct beneficiaries:  

• Business model enhancement and business growth support provided to private sector enterprises (early-stage cleantech entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs) that are developing innovative cleantech solutions  

• Training and certification of individuals as cleantech experts, to build their expertise and networks to coach and mentor early-stage enterprises  

In addition, the present proposal will support the Government of Lesotho, and in particular the NDA, through the Private Sector Expert Committee. This Committee will be a formal channel for the NDA to solicit and receive private sector views and recommendations, and ensure that the private sector is are better represented and therefore fully engaged in the climate finance processes including the planning, programing and implementation of GCF funded activities.    

The present proposal will further contribute to strengthening the cleantech ecosystem of Lesotho, by enhancing the interest and understanding of Lesotho’s private sector to invest in climate and energy action. The private sector engagement strategy will provide recommendations and action points that can guide Lesotho’s private sector to be better equipped and ready to absorb and leverage climate finance with home-grown innovative solutions and play a catalytic role in the market towards a clean energy transition.   

Institutional Arrangements  

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is the National Designated Authority (NDA) to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the main beneficiary of the GCF readiness support. The Department of Energy (DoE) of the MNR is the main technical counterpart.  UNIDO has been appointed as the Delivery Partner (DP). As the Delivery Partner, UNIDO is the lead implementing agency of the readiness support and will be responsible for its overall fiduciary and financial management, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation, as well as the procurement of all goods and services under this readiness support, all in compliance with UNIDO’s policies and procedures and with the Framework Agreement. UNIDO will conduct all readiness support activities under strategic guidance of the NDA as the main beneficiary, and in close consultation with and the Department of Energy of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) as the main government counterpart.  

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, assists in appraising, adjusting and presenting project proposals, and monitoring programme execution, identifying problems and utilizing information as an input to corrective actions to promote effective project management, develops and administers technical cooperation projects. The incumbent shall carry out following main duties.

• Analyze economic, social and political factors which affect a sectoral or regional development programme in relation to relevant resolutions of the Organization's governing body and the Organization's policies and priorities; reflect conclusions reached in sectoral or regional development plans, project proposals and formulations, and in the management coordination of ongoing development activities;

• Analyze development needs and appraise the suitability of proposed programmes and projects in meeting these needs; recommend project approval to the Organization;

• Identify particular development project possibilities in relation to expressed governmental needs and the known capabilities and resources available to the Organization, assess the relative feasibility and impact of proposed projects in country and regional plans;

• Introduce into the project formulation process newly developed modalities, policies and practices, as well as alternative methods for independent evaluation of projects and proposals which are designed to improve the effectiveness and appropriateness of the Organization's project and programme planning and delivery processes;

• Guide, coordinate and integrate the drafting of project proposals and justify them in terms of regional and sectoral development objectives;

• Expedite and endorse submission according to funding institution procedures of all required operational documents for approved projects;

• Provide technical advice, guide and orient the efforts and contributions of consultants, project personnel, donors, institutions and governments towards the achievement of project objectives;

• Assess the degree of execution of technical assistance project activities and resources; identify problems and resource and financial deficiencies, and initiate and propose corrective or alternative actions.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree in engineering, sciences, economics, business administration, international relations or other relevant discipline is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

At least seven (7) years of professional experience in technical cooperation project management or portfolio project management including some exposure at the international level, is required.  Ability to research and analyse information, make linkages with the strategic vision of the Organization and recommend solutions is required. Ability to write in a clear and concise manner is required. Ability to work effectively in multi-cultural teams 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 (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) 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