National Consultant for Emission Prevention and Energy Efficiency Project

​Requisition ID: 7637 
Grade: ISA-NOB 
Country: Mexico 
Duty Station: Mexico City 
Category: National Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Contract Duration: 180 days over a 9-month period
Application deadline: 06-Jul-2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Only nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are considered eligible.
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) ensures the Organization's application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to environment, energy, Micro, Small and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs), and digitalization. The Directorate also oversees the Organization's normative contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through industrial policy advice and capacity development.

The position is located under the Division of Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP) and Montreal Protocol Unit (TCS/CMP/MPU). TCS/CMP/MPU acts as focal point in UNIDO for the multilateral agreement on the ozone layer protection and assist governments in the creation of policy environment and implementation mechanisms in the context of the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment. The Unit is responsible for the planning, development and implementation of activities in Member States to facilitate compliance with the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment and to support countries to achieve their NDCs. 

PROJECT CONTEXT

TheGovernment of Mexico was the first country to have approvedStagesIandIIof theHCFC phase-out management plan (HPMP). This plan contemplated a reduction inHCFCconsumption of 10% by 2015, 35% by 2018, 50% by2020,and 67.5% by 2022. StageIof the plan(HPMP I)ended successfully in Mexico with the elimination of the consumption of HCFC-141b in the household appliances and foam sectors. Similarly, the consumption of HCFC-141b and HCFC-22 was reduced in the aerosol and solvent sectors. StageIIof the HCFC phase-down plan in Mexico(HPMP II)ended in 2024, withthe complete phase-out of HCFC-141b consumption in all sectors, as well as further reducing HCFC-22 consumption in the household appliance and foam sectorsand technicalassistanceto the RAC servicing sector.

In December 2024, the Executive Committee for the Implementation of Montreal Protocol approved theStage III of the HCFC phase-out management plan(HPMP III)to be implemented by Mexico from 2025 to 2030.

The HPMP III included a comprehensivecomponent ofCapacityBuildingfor the RAC servicing sectorwhich put emphasis on the training of trainers and service technicians through the strengthening of training institutions, with new courses, in retrofitting, recycling, as well as in alternative refrigerants in updated equipment with a lot of emphasis on Good Practices in handling refrigerants, and the corresponding measures not to vent thegases.

The training of technicians and users in the elimination of F-gas leaks in RAC systemsis one of thepillars of training.Technicians are trained to provide services to end users in residential AC, convenience stores, supermarkets, and small food sales businesses. Special attentionfromMAC sector technicians will be done but only to the car workshop service addressing a limited number of old cars (from the 70s).

The HPMP III also includesacomponentofTechnicalAssistance to the RAC servicing sector.Mexico produces HCFC-22 and importsalmost exclusivelyHCFC-22. In 2025, HCFC‑22 represented more than 99 per cent of national consumption. It is used in the RAC servicing sector to service centralized supermarket systems, condensing units, medium-sized ACunitsand small-capacity AC equipment used in homes and small businesses that usually require recharging due to leaks during operation, installation, or repair.

The servicingsector is the main consumer of HCFC-22 due to the demand for the large amount of installed equipment (banks).In Mexico,HCFC-22 is primarilyapplied inservicingcentralized supermarketrefrigerationsystems, condensing units, and small capacity air-conditioning equipment used inresidential and commercialsector.These systemsfrequentlyrequirerefrigerantrechargingas a result ofleaksoccurringduring operation, installation, ormaintenance activities. 

TheNational Consultantwill support the design and initial implementation of a pilot program for theintegrated refrigerantmanagement and energy efficiency in refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) systems, aimed at reducing leaks, improving energy performance, strengthening technical capacities, and generating evidence for its scaling in Mexico.This pilot program is aimed at providing technicalassistancetoend users. 

Particulary, he/she will assist in adapting elements of the "Zero Leaks" program methodology  to the Mexican context,ensuring its alignmentwith HPMP III, refrigerant management practices, energy efficiencymeasuresandthe provision oftechnicalassistancetoRACend users.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and the National Project Coordinator and in close cooperation with the project team in the HQ and field location, the National Consultant will be responsible   for the following main tasks:

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university (Master’s or equivalent) degree in chemical/environmental,mechanical, electricalengineering, or other relevant discipline is required. A specializationin refrigeration, energy efficiency,or related areas is desired.

Alternatively, a first level university degree or an advanced technical college diploma may be acceptable provided it is combined with additional 3 years of professional hand-on experience that is directly relevant to the expertise required by the specific assignment.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least three (3) years of work experience in refrigeration or AC efficiency projects for end users is required.
• Knowledgeinrefrigeration and ACsystems in Mexico, including relevant stakeholders, isrequired.
• Experience inplanning and implementing projectsinthe RACsectorisrequired.
• Experience in diagnosis, maintenance, leak detection and repair, refrigerant handling best practices, and optimization of RAC systems isrequired.
• Knowledge of energy efficiency, measurement of operationalvariables,and performance evaluation of RAC systemsisrequired.
• Knowledgeofalternatives and procedures to prepare project documents isdesirable.
• Experience in Montreal Protocol project implementation isdesirable.
• Knowledge of technical cooperation projects in the country or similar country in the region is desirable.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment is required.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish 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