Title: Project Administrator

​​Requisition ID: 3877
Grade: ISA-Junior Specialist
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Application Deadline: 15-Jul-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)

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.

PROGAMME CONTEXT

Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility

Accelerating the clean energy transition is crucial for mitigating the most severe impacts of climate change and to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in developing countries. Almost half of the emissions reductions needed to meet global net zero emissions climate targets by 2050 will come from technologies that are not yet commercial (i.e. they are currently at the demonstration or prototype phase) (IEA, 2022). Delivering the scale and pace the transition needs therefore requires accelerated technology innovation in clean energy across multiple sectors.

The Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility Programme was launched by UNIDO in May 2023 with an initial GBP 65 million funding from the UK Government (the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero) to accelerate the commercialization of innovative clean energy technologies in developing countries. The Facility focuses on key thematic areas that are off-track for meeting net zero climate targets by 2050: critical minerals, clean hydrogen, industrial decarbonisation and smart energy.

The programme can support the following types of activities:

• Pilot demonstration activities (primary focus): supporting activities to implement and operate pilot demonstration activities (such as equipment purchases, construction, testing and operation), but feasibility studies (technical/social/economic/environmental) for pilot demonstrations may also be supported if clear evidence is provided of being part of a confirmed pilot demonstration that will be constructed. The pilot demonstrations must take place in a developing country.
• Capacity building: supporting in-country or virtual workshops with innovators, adopters, local industry representatives, experts and/or other relevant stakeholders, which aim to directly support the process to accelerate the commercialization of innovative clean energy technologies in supported countries through contributing to building the ecosystem through which pilot demonstration activities can lead to transformational change.
• Data collection: supporting the collation and dissemination of performance data or survey data on piloted innovative clean energy technologies, where the underlying data infrastructure in the developing country-of-focus needs to be strengthened as part of developing the ecosystem through which pilot demonstration activities can lead to transformational change in-country.
• Knowledge production: supporting applied research, analysis, reports, market assessments, studies, knowledge management and dissemination activities, which support the process to accelerate the commercialization of innovative clean energy technologies in developing countries. These activities are not supported through the calls-for-proposals unless they are core sub-components of implementing and operating pilot demonstration projects.

As part of the programme, a project is being commissioned to produce GESI and ESS action plans and longer-term skills development at both the programme-level and project-level to ensure a robust design for the A2D Facility in relation to gender-responsiveness and social inclusion (GESI), and environmental and social safeguards (ESS). This project will produce a GESI action plan and an ESS action plan for the A2D Facility, and delivery of training for the first set of projects supported under the programme. The GESI-ESS Project Administrator role includes supporting the management of this project, implementing the GESI and ESS action plans at the programme-level and project-level, reviewing the project proposals received in A2D Facility funding calls from GESI and ESS perspectives, and implementing the GESI and ESS training for supported projects.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the A2D Facility Manager, and working closely with other A2D Facility team members, performs the following 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.

• Perform other related duties and assignments for the A2D Facility more broadly, as required by the A2D Facility Manager.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in fields that include specializations in gender equality, social inclusion, environmental management and assessment, social sciences, or other relevant discipline, is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

At least three (3) years of practical experience in the field of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) applied to developing country contexts is required.

At least three (3) years of practical experience in the field of Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) applied to developing country contexts is required.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint is required. Experience and knowledge in GESI and ESS issues in climate, energy, environment or innovation-related thematic areas is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Russian, Chinese, French, Spanish) is an asset.

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