International Expert - Wastewater emerging pollutants

​​Requisition ID: 6928 
Grade: ISA-P4 
Country: Home Based 
Duty Station: Home Based 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: External
Employment Type: NonStaff-WAE
Contract Duration: 35 days over a period
Application Deadline: 27-Jan-2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNIDO welcomes applications from qualified persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to applicants and employees with disabilities to support full participation in the recruitment process and in the performance of their duties.

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 UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declarationadopted 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 to a greater or lesser extent to all SDGs.

The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) is UNIDO’s core strategic document. As the Organization moves from the 2022–2025 cycle to the 2026–2029 MTPF, it sets a renewed vision to support Member States shape their industries for development. The new priorities include renewable and clean energy, sustainable access and climate action, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, and fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains. Cross-cutting priorities focus on industrial and economic policy advice, skills development, fostering digitalization and artificial intelligence, gender equality and the empowerment of women, supporting youth, promoting cleaner production and circular economy, and leveraging private sector investment and development finance.

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, Sub-regional Offices and Country Offices.

The Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, 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 Green Industry (TCS/CEG) 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.

The Division acts as the focal point in UNIDO for various multilateral environmental agreements and multilateral co-operation in the field of the environment, including the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer; the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and emerging international, legally binding instruments such as the instrument to End Plastic Pollution; the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), and other partnerships such as the Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP), the Partnership for Action for Green Economy (PAGE), the Green Industry Platform (GIP) and other relevant international initiatives and conventions. The Division coordinates its advisory and service delivery with the services offered by other technical departments, and other relevant organizational entities of UNIDO.

This position is located under the Circular Industrial Resource Efficiency Unit (TCS/CEG/CRE) 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

The project “Recovery through a Circular Economy and Pollution Reduction in the Eastern Partnership Countries (EU4Green Recovery East)” (SAP ID 240326) supports the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries in advancing a green, inclusive, and resilient economic recovery. Funded by the European Union, the programme (2025–2028) is implemented by a consortium of international organizations and EU Member State agencies – Expertise France (with OiEau), OECD, UNECE, UNIDO, and the Environment Agency Austria (UBA) – with UBA acting as the Lead Partner for overall coordination.

The components of the Action are as follows:

• Component 1: Circular economy promotion along the full lifecycle approaches;
• Component 2: Water as a critical resource for the economy;
• Component 3: Support to legal approximation and implementation;
• Component 4: Institutional integration in EU-wide environmental cooperation, data management & digitalisation
• Component 5: Transboundary environmental cooperation.

Within Component 2, Output 2.5 is titled “Measures for addressing pollution from priority sectors and sources are identified, focusing on water-related pollution from industrial and urban sources.”

Under this Output, UNIDO leads Activity 2.5.2 – Measures for addressing pollution by pharmaceuticals, plastics, and microplastics identified, aims to support the EaP countries in aligning with the updated EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (2024) and the Zero Pollution Ambition of the European Green Deal.

The activity will be implemented from Q1 to Q4 2026 and focuses on two main workstreams:

1. the organization of a regional dialogue to exchange experiences, present EU approaches, and foster a shared understanding of policy and technical measures to address emerging pollutants;
2. the preparation of three national Action Plans (Armenia, Moldova, and Ukraine) proposing practical and context-specific measures for controlling emissions of pharmaceuticals, PFAS, plastics, and microplastics.

To support these efforts, UNIDO will recruit an International Expert with experience in wastewater management, industrial pollution control, and emerging pollutants. The expert will coordinate with relevant national institutions, industrial representatives, and programme partners to deliver these two workstreams and provide recommendations for national and regional follow-up actions.

MAIN FUNCTIONS

Under the direct supervision of the UNIDO Project Manager, and in collaboration with project associate, with support of national water experts and coordinators in EaP countries, the International Expert will perform the following duties and deliver the expected outputs:

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

Education: An advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in Environmental Engineering, Water Management, Industrial Pollution Control, or a related field is required. Additional specialization or certification in wastewater treatment, environmental policy, or resource efficiency is considered an asset.

Technical and Functional Experience: 

• At least seven (7) years of professional experience in urban wastewater management, industrial pollution control, or water-related environmental policy is required.
• Proven expertise in the identification and management of emerging pollutants (pharmaceuticals, PFAS, plastics, and microplastics), including knowledge of EU regulatory frameworks such as the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD 2024), the Water Framework Directive, and the Zero Pollution Ambition, is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in the development of national or regional action plans, strategies, or policy roadmaps related to water, wastewater, or industrial emissions is desirable.
• Experience engaging with national institutions, industrial stakeholders, and international organizations in the context of multi-country or regional initiatives is desirable.
• Strong analytical and writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, evidence-based technical reports and recommendations is desirable.
• Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues or technical workshops in an international environment is desirable.
• Familiarity with the Eastern Partnership region and understanding of the challenges faced by transitioning economies is an asset.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of 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