​​Requisition ID: 7129 
Grade: ISA-P4 
Country: Home Based 
Duty Station: Home Based 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Contract Duration: 25 days over a period
Application Deadline: 16-Mar-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 and hunger reduction, inclusive and fair globalization and environmental sustainability.  The mission UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declarationadopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013, the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019 as well as the Riyadh Declarationadopted at the twenty-first session of UNIDO General Conference in 2025, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial developmentin Member States. The relevance of this mission 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 inclusive and sustainable industrial development, however, applies to all SDGs.

The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) 2026 - 2029 is UNIDO’s core strategic document and it is in line with UNIDO’s Vision 2050. It sets a renewed vision to support Member States and shape their industries for development. The priorities include fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, renewable and clean energy, sustainable energy access and climate action. 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-related activities; and (iv) convening and fostering partnerships for knowledge and technology transfer, investment mobilization, 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, ensures the Organization's application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to environment, energy, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and digitalization. The Directorate also oversees the Organization's normative contribution to achieving the SDGs through industrial policy advice and capacity development. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute to effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results, scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.  

The Directorate hosts the Division of Industrial Policy Advice and Capacity Development (TCS/IPC), and technical Divisions of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG), Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA), Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP); MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI). Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two technical directorates, TCS collaborates closely with IET to develop and implement programmes and projects, aiming at enhancing synergy and complementarity and maximizing UNIDO corporate performance and impacts on the ground. The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in all Directorates across the Organization. 

The Circular Resource Efficiency Unit (TCS/CEG/CRE) is responsible for supporting capacity development to promote the adoption of circular and resource-efficient consumption and production patterns across value chains. It fosters circular economy solutions including policies, programmes, practices, and business models that enhance industry profitability while generating social and environmental benefits. Furthermore, it facilitates design for circularity emphasizing reduced or alternative materials inputs, greater durability, reusability, reparability, and ultimately recyclability. The Unit promotes nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches that support the coexistence of industries and nature  

This position is located in the Circular Resource Efficiency Unit (TCS/CEG/CRE). 

PROJECT CONTEXT 

The International Finance Expert will provide services towards the implementation of the following activities:  

ID 250010: Green and circular economy: waste reduction and recycling for citizens' health and environment in Georgia 

To effectively address Georgia’s policy implementation, institutional capacity, technical, financial and behavioural challenges in the reduction and recycling of extended producer responsibility (EPR) waste streams, UNIDO and UNDP, together with the Environmental Agency Austria (UBA), are joining efforts and expertise to implement a two-year joint programme titled “Green and circular economy: waste reduction and recycling for citizens health and environment in Georgia.”  

The overall long-term objective (impact) of the project is to enhance resource efficiency and reduce waste in support of a circular, green and inclusive economy, ultimately contributing to improved citizens’ health in Georgia. The joint programme aims to strengthen Georgia’s EPR implementation to accelerate the country’s transition toward a circular and green economy, enhancing resource efficiency and delivering measurable environmental, social and economic outcomes.  

The project will deliver three interlinked outputs, supported by a structured set of activities and sub-activities:  

Output 1: Enhanced awareness and capacities of key stakeholders to reduce waste and effectively implement inclusive, fair and equitable EPR schemes.  

Activities include the preparation of a comprehensive feasibility study on recycling constraints and opportunities, the development of inclusive EPR waste management plans, stakeholder trainings and study visits, targeted information campaigns, and youth engagement initiatives.  

Output 2: Enhanced equitable access to financing for recycling activities.  

Activities include a stakeholder financial needs assessment, mapping and development of recommendations for financing mechanisms, capacity-building on financial literacy, facilitation of partnerships and platforms with financial institutions, and technical support for the development of strong funding applications.  

Output 3: Strengthened operational capacities for effective implementation of inclusive, fair and equitable EPR schemes. 

Activities include a grant programme for innovative recycling solutions, development of technical manuals, audits, and tailored hands-on support to producer responsibility organizations (PROs) and civil society organizations engaged in EPR waste management to improve performance and compliance.  

UNIDO will spearhead the development of a feasibility study to support inclusive, fair and equitable management of EPR waste streams and the preparation of management plans for each EPR stream. UNIDO will also provide targeted technical assistance to PROs and CSOs engaged in EPR waste management. This will include the development of practical guidance materials on EPR waste stream operations, tailored audits to identify performance and compliance gaps, and targeted trainings to equip stakeholders with the skills required for effective collection, pre-treatment and recycling. UNIDO will support the application of audit and training recommendations, provide ongoing technical advisory services to improve environmental performance and regulatory compliance, and facilitate access to international recycling facilities for complex waste streams where domestic capacity remains limited.  

In addition to activities where UNIDO serves as the lead implementing agency, UNIDO will contribute as a partner throughout the Joint Programme, providing international expertise, thematic inputs, and technical support to ensure the effective implementation and achievement of the intended results under all three outputs. 

The present assignment is designed to support the implementation of Output 1 of the Joint Program, which focuses on strengthening the evidence base, planning frameworks, and operational capacities for inclusive, fair, and equitable EPR waste management. 

In this context, UNIDO will engage an International Finance Expert under a separate Terms of Reference to provide specialized advisory support related to the preparation of the Feasibility Study and the development of multi-year Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Management Plans. 

The position of International Finance Expert is established to support the implementation of the project in relation to the above-mentioned Terms of Reference for national consulting services for the preparation of the Feasibility Study and the development of multi-year EPR Management Plans for seven EPR waste streams. 

The assignment under the present Terms of Reference will focus on providing specialized financial and economic expertise, including targeted technical oversight, quality assurance, and strategic guidance, to ensure the robustness, credibility, and practical applicability of the financial elements of the Feasibility Study and the EPR Management Plans. The Expert’s role is complementary to, and shall not substitute for or duplicate, the implementation responsibilities assigned to the Contractor engaged under the related Terms of Reference. In particular, the Expert will support the validation of financial assumptions, cost structures, investment needs, and benchmarking against EU and international EPR practices, while ensuring that recommendations remain feasible and adapted to the Georgian institutional and market context. 

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES  

The International Finance Expert, under the supervision of the manager of project ID 250010, and in collaboration with national and international experts of the project, will perform the following tasks: 

Main duties 

Outputs to be achieved 

Expected duration 

Location 

ID 250010: Green and circular economy: waste reduction and recycling for citizens health and environment in Georgia 

  1. Financial Review of Methodology and Situation Analysis: 

Provide specialised financial and economic review and advisory support on the financial methodology and baseline analysis developed by the Contractor as part of the Feasibility Study. This includes reviewing the proposed financial and economic assessment approach, assumptions, and analytical parameters, as well as the financial baseline and situation analysis for EPR waste management systems in Georgia, once the Contractor has prepared these. 

The task will focus on validating the robustness, internal consistency, and alignment of the financial methodology and baseline analysis with EU and international good practices in EPR financing, taking into account existing studies, datasets, and benchmarks, and identifying any material gaps or risks that may affect the feasibility assessment. The Expert’s input shall be limited to review, validation, and recommendations and shall not require the re-development of financial models, datasets, or primary analyses. 

  • Consolidated review notes and recommendations on the financial methodology and financial baseline analysis submitted to UNIDO. 

9 w/d 

Homebased 

  1. Provide specialised financial and economic input to the assessment of alternative EPR system options developed by the Contractor, including the evaluation of investment needs, operating costs, financial sustainability, and affordability of proposed collection, treatment, recycling, and recovery solutions. This includes review of the financial implications of local recycling versus export scenarios and benchmarking of proposed options against EU and international EPR systems. 

The Expert shall support the validation of recommended options from a financial viability perspective and identify key financial risks and sensitivities relevant to decision-making. 

  • Written financial and economic review notes supporting the option analysis and validation of recommended system options. 

7 w/d 

  1. Review the draft financial and economic sections of the Feasibility Study to ensure clarity, internal consistency, and robustness of conclusions. Provide targeted recommendations to strengthen the investment analysis, resource planning, and implementation roadmap from a financial and economic perspective, in line with the approved methodology and international good practice. 

  • Consolidated written comments and financial clearance notes on the draft and final Feasibility Study. 

4 w/d 

  1. Provide advisory input on the financial and economic components of the EPR Management Plans, including review of proposed financial mechanisms, fee structures, cost allocation principles, incentive mechanisms, and affordability considerations. The Expert shall review proposed targets and KPIs to ensure financial realism and sustainability, taking into account the Georgian institutional and market context and relevant international benchmarks. 

  • Written technical inputs and review notes on the financial and economic components of the EPR Management Plans. 

3 w/d 

  1. Review the draft and final EPR Management Plans to confirm consistency with the approved Feasibility Study findings and validate the financial and economic elements of system design, governance arrangements, and implementation pathways. Where required, support the preparation of a targeted addendum to reflect material changes in adopted technical regulations, limited to financial and economic implications, in coordination with UNIDO. 

  • Financial clearance notes for draft and final EPR Management Plans 

2 w/d 

  1. As required and in coordination with UNIDO, provide targeted advisory input through engagement with Joint Programme partners (including UNDP, Avfall Sverige, and the Environment Agency Austria) for the purpose of reviewing, validating, and ensuring consistency of international financial and economic inputs relevant to the Feasibility Study and the EPR Management Plans. 

Where requested by UNIDO, provide limited advisory support on the definition and refinement of technical and financial requirements for experts or service providers engaged under Output 2 of the Joint Programme, including review of draft Terms of Reference or evaluation criteria from a technical and financial perspective. Such support shall be advisory in nature and shall not involve participation in procurement decision-making or selection processes. 

  • Validation notes or meeting summaries documenting review and validation of partner inputs and/or advisory comments provided to UNIDO. 

2 w/d 

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS  

Education:  

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, finance, environmental economics, public policy, engineering, or a related field relevant to financial and economic analysis of environmental or infrastructure systems is required. 

Technical and Functional Experience: 

  • Minimum seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in financial and economic analysis related to environmental systems, waste management, circular economy, or environmental and municipal infrastructure relevant to waste management, recycling, or resource efficiency is required. 

Demonstrated experience in at least two (2) of the following areas: 

  • Financial or economic analysis of waste management, recycling, circular economy systems, or resource efficiency systems is desirable. 

  • Assessment of investment needs, cost structures, or financial sustainability of environmental or municipal infrastructure projects related to waste management or environmental services is desirable. 

  • Analytical or advisory work related to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems, producer fee mechanisms, or comparable cost-recovery schemes is desirable. 

  • Application of EU or international benchmarks in the assessment of environmental, waste, or resource-efficiency systems is desirable. 

  • Demonstrated experience working in international or EU-approximation contexts, including familiarity with EU environmental policy frameworks or comparable international standards relevant to waste management or EPR systems, is desirable. 

  • Experience related to EPR systems, including feasibility studies, option analyses, financial modelling, regulatory impact assessments, or advisory support, is desirable and does not require prior involvement in fully operational EPR schemes. 

Language Skills:  

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. 

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. 


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. 

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