Associate Technical Expert

​Requisition ID: 4400 
Grade: L2 
Country: Austria 
Duty Station: Vienna 
Category: Project-funded Professional and higher 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Staff-Full-time
Appointment Type: Fixed Term – 200 series
Indicative Minimum Net Annual Salary: 80,200 USD 
Application Deadline: 27-Aug-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)  

Vacancy Announcement
THE APPOINTMENT IS LIMITED TO THE SPECIFIED PROJECT(S) ONLY AND DOES NOT CARRY ANY EXPECTATION OF RENEWAL. 
Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
Detailed information on the project can be found at UNIDO’s Open Data Platform: https://open.unido.org/

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 houses the technical Divisions of Capacity Development, Industrial Policy Advice and Statistics (TCS/CPS); Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG); Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA), Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP); SMEs, Competitiveness and Job Creation (TCS/SME); Digital Transformation and AI Strategies (TCS/DAS); and the Montreal Protocol Division. The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO) and the Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET).

The Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol Division (TCS/CMP) mandated to work in close coordination with other organizational entities within UNIDO, assists Member States in emergence, deployment, and large-scale up-take of innovative climate solutions for low-carbon and climate resilient industrialization. The division promotes systems innovation approach to achieve transformational change in climate change by innovating across key levers of change that include technology, finance, policy, and regulation. In particular, the Division is responsible for the dual mandate of a) accelerating innovation and building climate technology innovation ecosystems to promote low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathways and b) planning, developing and implementing interventions to facilitate compliance with the Montreal Protocol and, in particular, its Kigali Amendment and to support countries in achieving their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). In addition, the Division is responsible, in close collaboration with other relevant entities of the Organization, for facilitating the transfer of low-carbon and climate-resilient solutions and building markets to ensure their widespread use by industry and local communities, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and building resilience in recipient countries.

The position is located under the Climate Technology Innovation Unit is responsible for supporting Member States in fostering innovation across technologies, finance, policy and regulation to promote the emergence, deployment and large-scale up-take of low-carbon and climate adaptation solutions and business practices. 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 and climate adaptation solutions, ensuring wide use by industry and local communities, thereby contributing to climate mitigation, adaptation and building resilience in recipient countries. The Unit positions UNIDO strategically in the global discourse on climate technology innovation support and acts as the focal point in UNIDO for partnership with the technology mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

At the L2 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver: (a) work that is analytical in contributing to results achieved by the Division; (b) in creating an enabling environment for collaborative work which is catalytic to achieving results; (c) in building relationships which contributes to counterparts’ engagement and (d) in achieving results that provide baselines for a service. The measure of success is timely, consistent and appropriate delivery of results.

The UNIDO Staff Performance Management System reinforces the collaboration within formal units as well as among cross-functional teams. In this context, the incumbent collaborates with his/her supervisor and colleagues, within as well as outside the unit. Within the formal teams, the incumbent may be expected to backstop other team members as required.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Director-General and in this context all staff are expected to serve in any assignment and duty station as determined by the needs of the Organization.

Project/Programme Context

Adaptation SMEs Innovation Facility (ASIF)

The Adaptation SMEs Innovation Facility (ASIF) is a UNIDO initiative launched with support from the Adaptation Fund, under the framework of the Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA). The initiative aims to enhance the resilience and adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities by facilitating the deployment of innovative climate adaptation technologies and solutions.  The support provided to SMEs in developing countries is a strategic approach employed to achieve this overarching goal. By providing comprehensive support and resources, ASIF aims to empower adaptation SMEs to scale up their operations and deploy effective adaptation solutions in diverse local vulnerable communities. 

ASIF consists of three components: Ignite, Propel, and the Knowledge and Learning mechanism.

• Ignite (Component 1) supports adaptation SMEs at TRLs 3-4/BRLs 2-4. It provides business growth to support companies at these early stages develop impactful and viable products and business models.

• Propel (Component 2) provides milestone-based grant financing and technical support to adaptation SMEs at TRLs 5-7/BRLs 5-7. This component aims to support SMEs in deploying their solutions to vulnerable communities. The grants are performance-based and tied to the achievement of specific milestones.

• Strengthening the ecosystem of knowledge, funding, and talent for early-stage climate adaptation & resilience SMEs in emerging markets (Component 3) will capture and create knowledge and expand and share evidence-based learnings for climate adaptation, component 3 will compile and provide analysis of insights gained from working with adaptation SMEs under components 1 and 2.

Responsibilities

The Associate Technical Expert works under the overall guidance of the Chief, Division of Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol Division, and the direct supervision of the Head, Climate Technology Innovation Unit and in close collaboration with the colleagues to support the mandate of the Division. She/he will be responsible for providing technical support to the smooth and timely execution of projects and be accountable for the achievement of project results as/if assigned. In particular, the Associate Technical Expert is tasked with efficient and effective execution of component 3 of ASIF, and will be responsible for capturing, organizing, and disseminating insights and lessons learned from supporting adaptation SMEs under components 1 and 2. By generating an evidence base on the enabling conditions for successful development and deployment of adaptation innovations, the Associate Technical Expert for ASIF will play a pivotal role in accelerating progress and promoting better solutions globally.  Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• In line with the guidelines and procedures governing the technical cooperation activities of UNIDO, formulate and execute technical cooperation projects/ programme related to the interest of the potential donors and within the mandate of the Division/Department.

• Execute and monitor projects/ programme implementation activities and services, ensuring that assigned inputs are delivered on time at the right level of quality and within the allocated budget.

• Prepare necessary inputs (consultant job descriptions, terms of reference, training arrangements, equipment specifications, etc.), monitoring progress in implementation, including if required missions to project site(s), as well as take part in oversight meetings in the field and at headquarters, and assist the Evaluation Group in its evaluations of projects/ programmes.

• Support advocacy, communication and global forum activities related to the progamme/project and aimed at strengthening public relations, including the preparation of promotional materials, organization of media events, dissemination of information on the project activities through UNIDO/project website and network of UNIDO offices.

• Support progamme/project specific fund mobilization activities.

• Perform other related duties and assignments as required.

Minimum requirements and desirable criteria

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in economics, international relations, engineering, or environmental sciences, or in a closely related field with specialization in climate adaptation and resilience is required.

Experience, technical knowledge and functional expertise:

A minimum of three (3) years of working experience, including some at the international level, in project execution or coordination, particularly in the areas of climate finance, innovative solutions business models for climate, private sector engagement for sustainable and climate resilient development, knowledge creation and sharing in adaptation innovation, is required.  
Experience evaluating needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, and in technical cooperation projects in least developed countries (LDCs) is desirable. 

Language Skills:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency in or working knowledge of another official language of the United Nations is desirable.

Core 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.

NOTE: UNIDO professional level applicants are required to have served at least one year in their current post if applying for a higher-level position. However, the seniority-in-grade requirements for applying for higher-level positions, as per paragraphs 18 and 78 of the HRMF, have been waived.

UNIDO General Service applicants are required to be at least at the GS-5 level; to have served in their current position for at least two years; and to have served in UNIDO for at least five years.

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.