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Requisition ID: 2676
Grade: ISA-Specialist
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 3.5 months
Application Deadline: 09-Aug-2023, 11:59 PM (CEST)
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 Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS) 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 Division of Circular Economy and Environmental Protection (TCS/CEP) contributes to greener and more circular industries and products by minimizing both resource use along value chains and the emission of pollutants to the environment. The Division promotes just transitions to circular economies, reduced release of pollutants into the environment and other green industrial and economic approaches to help Member States to grow economically while simultaneously addressing the three planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It does so by supporting resource efficiency increases in the manufacturing and use of products along value chains and during the life cycle of the product; by reducing or eliminating the emission of non-fuel-related greenhouse gas emissions; and by assisting in achieving the objectives of and compliance with multilateral environmental agreements. In doing so, its activities further improve competitiveness, as well as the development of and access to markets, particularly for SMEs. This contributes to climate-neutral, resilient, pollution-free industrial development, supporting co-existence that is in harmony with nature.
This position is located under the Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency Unit (TCS/CCM/CER) which is responsible for supporting capacity development to scale up and mainstream the production of sustainable products and adoption of circular and resource-efficient cleaner patterns of consumption and production along value chains, circular economy policies, programmes and practices, including circular business models that improve the profitability of industries while creating social and environmental benefits. In addition, it promotes nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches for inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) that support the co-existence of industries in harmony with nature. In addition, it facilitates the design of sustainable products made with fewer materials, with greater durability, reliability, reparability, reusability and recyclability, and supports the deployment of new business models that improve environmental performance.
PROJECT CONTEXT
Introduce Systematic and Integrated Approaches of Industrial Competitiveness and Environmental/Social Responsibility to Reduce Wastewater Discharges and Pollution Loads in the Niger River (TEST Roll-out in the Niger Basin)
The project "Improving IWRM, Knowledge-based Management and Governance of the Niger Basin and the Iullemeden- Taoudeni/Tanezrouft Aquifer System (NB-ITTAS)" is a regional project financed by the Global Environment Facility and jointly implemented by UNDP and UNEP to support 11 countries in Western Africa (Algeria, Benin, Burkina, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauretania, Niger and Nigeria).
These countries are in partnership with the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) and the Observatory of Sahara and Sahel to support the implementation of the Strategic Action Programme for the Niger River Basin, to expand the knowledge base required for the improved management of the Iullemeden-Taoudeni/Tanezrouft Aquifer System (ITTAS), and to promote the conjunctive management of the surface and groundwater management in the basin.
The overall objective of this UNDP-UNEP-GEF project is to support Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) concept for the benefit of communities and the resilience of ecosystems.
To reduce pollution in the basin through industrial activities and to promote active participation of private sector in the pollution reduction efforts, the project supports through its Component 3 the roll-out of the Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technology (TEST), which will contribute to reducing wastewater discharges and pollution loads in the Niger River basin through systematic and integrated approach in partnership with private sector.
UNIDO has been chosen as an entity that will be responsible for the successful roll-out of the TEST in the basin for its knowledge and expertise required for the successful TEST application.
The Niger Basin Authority and the Ministries of Water Resources and Environment of the riparian countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Nigeria), the Ministries and national institutions in charge of industrial development will be the primary counterparts for this project.
Although there are two implementing agencies and several executing agencies with quite different inputs, one overall project coordination unit (PCU) is proposed. In fact, it will be important to have a strong coordination unit to ensure that the different executing agencies work together closely. UNIDO will be the executing agency for the outcome 3.
The project Coordination Unit (PCU) will be put in place to manage the project as a whole, even if different executing agencies will have the main responsibilities for the various projects. The PCU will be based within the offices of the NBA offices in Niamey and will comprise 4 key staff, each one with responsibility for one of the components.
The PCU will be headed up by a Project Coordinator, who will also be in charge of the cross- cutting Component 4.
The PCU comprises:
- Project Coordinator/Component 4 Task manager
- Component 1 Task Manager
- Component 2 Task Manager
- Component 3 Task Manager
- Finance, Administrative and Technical Support Unit
The Task Leader for the TEST project leading to Outcome 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 under Component 3 is the TEST Project Coordinator, who has been recruited by UNIDO and who have the authority to run the TEST project on a day-to-day basis. The position is based within the offices of the NBA offices in Niamey.
Under the overall supervision of the UNIDO Project Manager, the national consultant will carry out the duties (mentioned below) that will contribute to the successful implementation of planned activities, in collaboration with National Project Coordinator (TEST-NPC) and other international/national experts and partners of this project.
The national consultant on TEST and industrial pollution is expected to work independently in taking initiatives that will contribute to achieving key specific tasks and also collaboratively with the TEST NPC and other international and national experts as mentioned in his/her TOR accordingly.
Furthermore, the national consultant on TEST and industrial pollution is expected to facilitate the coordination of the project activities and the cooperation between the National Focal Structures of his/her country, the overall structure of the UNDP-UNEP-GEF project as well as the Niger Basin Authority.
Support program for Algeria's transition to a green and circular economy
The project will contribute to the transition of Algeria towards a greener, more diversified and inclusive economy through the promotion of sustainable consumption and production and circular practices. The initiative, funded by the EU, has a duration of 48 months and is executed by UNIDO in collaboration with the French Development Agency (AFD in French) and the Ministry of Industries (MoI) of Algeria.
The initiative will contribute to the achievement of the following outputs:
- Institutional framework and instruments are strengthened, creating a favorable environment for the promotion of SCP and resource efficient and cleaner production (RECP) by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and very small enterprises (VSB);
- Demand for SCP/RECP tools by SMEs and VSB is stimulated;
- Offer of SCP/RECP services and tools is increased at the level of business incubators, clusters and associations;
- Public-private financing plans are developed, enabling beneficiary companies of Output 1 to make investments.
UNIDO will contribute to the achievement of the following Outputs:
Output 1: Institutional framework and instruments are strengthened, creating a favorable environment for the promotion of SCP/RECP by SMEs and VSB
It includes the (a) establishment of a national project management unit called “Bureau Économie Verte (BEV)”, (b) strengthening of national capacities in terms of trainings and expertise on SCP and RECP, (c) enhancement of institutional capacity and collaboration to design and manage programmes related to SCP and RECP, and (d) development of public incentives and assistance systems, supporting companies to promote projects related SCP and RECP.
Output 2: Demand for SCP/RECP tools by SMEs and VSB is stimulated
Most of the activities under Output 2 devote efforts to raise awareness of companies and disseminate information on SCP/RECP approaches, particularly on the Transfer of Environmental Sound Technologies (TEST) methodology developed by UNIDO and deployed in the context of pilot and demonstration actions. As part of the programme communication’s plan, a thousand companies will be involved in the dissemination information activities to promote SCP/RECP approaches and the TEST methodology. This result also seeks to reach a relevant number of companies eligible for the effective deployment of these practices and to ensure that the overall impact produced in terms of saving resources and reducing pollution is significant enough to generate the interest of economic actors in SCP/RECP and TEST approaches.
The major effects expected through the implementation of the project activities are the following:
- Enhancement of the institutional environment and the creation of a more favorable ecosystem that encourages the emergence of an industrial and green economy foundation. This change will mainly be achieved through the (a) involvement of financial institutions, (b) reinforcement of the personnel capacities institutions that support SMEs, (c) improvement of environmental policy instruments, promoting industrial competitiveness and resource efficiency, and (d) reinforcement of local expertise to be offered to SMEs in the domain of SCP/RECP.
- Development of green entrepreneurship and innovative start-ups in the field of green economy, as well as SCP and RECP. At least 50 green start-ups will be created and at least 250 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will be accompanied to integrate sustainability approaches, inducing resource savings and significant pollution reduction. Besides the improvement of the environmental performance, an improvement of the competitiveness of the MSMEs is expected, through the reduction of the production and waste treatment costs.
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the Project Manager (PM), the Water Stewardship and TEST Methodology Specialist will assist in the implementation and monitoring of the TEST-Niger and Ecovertec projects, as well as identifying solutions to problems and undertaking corrective actions to promote effective project execution.. The Specialist will also carry out the following :
- Provide recommendations and input, based on TEST-Niger and Ecovertec project results, to the development of new phases or relevant new project proposals;
- Introduce into the project formulation process any newly developed modalities, policies and practices, based on the experience of TEST-Niger and Ecovertec, to support the improvement of the effectiveness and appropriateness in the development of new projects and/or programmes, as required;
- Support the PM in the drafting of project proposals and justify them in terms of regional and sectoral development objectives vis-à-vis water stewardship and the transfer of environmentally sound technology;
- Support the PM in the follow up of processes related to concept note approval, project document approval internally and with new donors for new UNIDO projects, as required;
- Provide technical advice and work in collaboration with other 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.
More specifically, the tasks of the Water Stewardship and TEST Methodology Specialist will be as follows:
1. Coordinate with the project team in the accomplishment of all activities under output 3.3: Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technology (TEST) approach at the enterprise level efficiently introduced; this comprises the development of concepts how this output and the activities listed below should be delivered and after agreement with the project manager the development of TORs for service providers and (inter)national experts and the identification of suitable service provider and (inter)national experts and the monitoring of their performance
- Phase I: Design customized tools and plan theintroduction and integration of 3 different “soft” complementary environmental management tools into pilot enterprises daily operations:
- Cleaner Production Assessment (CPA)
- Environmental Management System (EMS)
- Environmental Management Accounting (EMA)
- Evaluate options and coordinate the introducing/implementation of the 3 soft tools either simultaneously or step-by-step manner (Depending on the enterprise specific situations).
- Conduct a rapid assessment of Phase I, evaluate and benchmark achieved milestones necessary for next phase.
- Phase II: Identify requirements for investments in environmental sound technologies (EST).
- Carry out environmental sound technology assessments and end-of-pipe solutions in pilot enterprises.
- Based on sufficient financial investment, plan the introduction of Technology Change at enterprise level.
- Phase III: draft sustainable enterprise strategies to ensure continued use of TEST Approach
- Plan the integration of TEST Approach into pilot enterprises business and functional strategies.
- Design customized tools for pilot enterprise and co- ordinate the introduction and integration of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which complements EMS
Contribution to the deliverables under output 3.3. with the overall target that all activities to be implemented under this output will be completed by the end of the contract, as well as:
1.Regular follow up with companies and international experts to ensure all assessments and reporting are done in accordance with UNIDO standards;
2. Active compiling of results from national consultants and companies, and maintaining/updating all records/information;
3. Obtain letters from the companies who have committed to financing the solutions identified by TEST for the record of the project;
4. Follow up with the companies in December 2023 to assess how effective the solutions have been thus far;
5. Contribution to reporting for UNIDO, UNDP/UNEP as required;
6. Support to the project manager in preparation for steering committee meetings, and other tasks as required.
Written reports of the above will be completed and provided to the PM as deliverables.
Contribution to the deliverables under output 3.4. with the overall target that all activities to be implemented under this output will be completed by the end of the contract, as well as:
- Support the Communications and Knowledge Management Specialist (CKMS) in content management for the project;
- Support the development of any materials and outreach for the project in collaboration with the CKMS;
- Together with the CKMS, organise and effectively deliver pre-selected events (Regional Dissemination in Cameroon, Pollutech, Steering Committee meetings) to ensure thorough dissemination of project results is achieved;
- Highlight and promote Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) and voluntary environmental reporting at enterprises level
- Follow-up with potential new donors to arouse their interest in supporting the region's industries in their transition to a circular economy in the region, based on the results of the TEST Niger project.
Written reports of the above will be completed and provided to the PM as deliverables.
- Support the PM in overseeing the work of the TEST Project Coordinator in Niamey and ensure that all written deliverables are sent to the PM and recorded in the content management system;
- Ensure that all deliverables/targets of the GEF and UNDP as outlined in the project document, are effectively achieved, and works with the Coordinator to deliver this;
Written reports of the above will be completed and provided to the PM as deliverables
Concrete/
measurable
Outputs to be achieved
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Education: Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in engineering, sciences, economics, business administration, international relations or other relevant discipline with specialization in environmental sciences is required.
Technical and Functional Experience:
- At least seven (7) years of professional experience in technical cooperation projects focused on water stewardship and application of transfer of environmentally sound technologies in Africa, 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.
- 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 required.
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
