Requisition ID: 8128
Grade: ISA-P3
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: 126 workdays (with possibility of extension until June 2028)
Application Deadline: 27-Oct-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-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. 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 is responsible for 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 TC 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.
Under the supervision of the Managing Director of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), and in close coordination with other organizational entities within UNIDO, 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 promotes circular economy policies, programmes and practices including circular business models that improve the profitability of industries while creating social and environmental benefits. 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 small and medium-sized enterprises. 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 Resource Efficiency Unit (TCS/CEG/CRE), which 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.
PROJECT CONTEXT
Support for small and medium-sized enterprises’ transition towards a green and circular economy” (Project ID: 230143) is a project financed by the European Commission through the Directorate General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA) under the umbrella of the “Regional package on Green and Circular Economy – Green Forward”.
The project’s overall objective is to create green jobs along targeted value chains, including to contribute to sustainable economic growth, decarbonized and climate resilient development, decent jobs creation, and a safer, healthier, and pollution-free environment. This action will be conducted in the eight countries of the Southern Mediterranean region previously supported by the SwitchMed II Programme (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia) plus Libya.
The project will build on the achievements of the SwitchMed II programme and will focus on two outputs. Under Output 1, resource efficient and circular business models will be demonstrated, and capacities thereon will be built, including on access to finance, through the development of industrial pilots. Under Output 2, resource efficiency and circular economy knowledge will be disseminated at educational, Technical and Vocational Education and Training and policy levels, including regionally, to support regional cooperation and capacity building.
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and close cooperation with the project team in the HQ and field, the Expert is expected to coordinate and support the project manager and project team in the technical implementation and backstopping of the project’s pilots in the automotive sector on circularity and resource efficiency, specifically for the following main duties:
|
MAIN DUTIES |
Concrete/ measurable outputs to be achieved |
Expected duration |
Location |
Provide technical coordination to day-to-day implementation of three pilot projects (PCBs/electric wiring harness recovery in the automotive sector in Tunisia, EV batteries circularity in Morocco, and EV retrofitting of M2/M3 vehicles including capacity building to battery pack manufacturers-BMS) in line with the ToRs and the contractual obligations with the international and local contractors/experts involved in each activity. Ensure effective monitoring of progress, perform periodical field missions to the demonstration sites to assess progress and inform project manager on risks to be mitigated in a timely fashion and suggest appropriate measures. |
Technical coordination and inputs to project implementation, in line with operational modalities and requirements as per UNIDO financial rules and regulations. Project implemented timely and effectively in line with the LogFrame Outputs and Objectives. |
50 working days (equivalent to 40%) |
Location (TBD) missions as needed |
Maintain regular communication with the national teams and the international contractors/experts to ensure the timely delivery of the expected results of specific activities in line with their ToRs. This includes technical review and quality assurance of deliverables, organizing/participating in relevant stakeholder workshops and meetings, including launch events of pilots, liaising with national institutional stakeholders, exploring synergies between pilots and other relevant projects, developing and maintaining relationships with technical networks relevant to the GFI project objectives. |
Technical review and quality assurance. Development of technical TORs and identification of technical resources and networks. |
50 working days (equivalent to 40%) |
Location (TBD) missions as needed |
Consolidate detailed activities plan and budget for project activities as well as periodic reports on the progress of activities gathering inputs and in close coordination with national experts/coordinators as well as international experts/contractors assigned to specific countries’ workflow and the HQ coordinator. |
Inputs for workplans, budget forecasts and periodic reports delivered for PM review |
7 working days (equivalent to 5%) |
Location TBD |
Extract, synthesize, and leverage technical findings, data, and lessons learned from contractors’ deliverables and pilot activities to provide technical content for high-quality knowledge products and publication contents (e.g., technical briefs, case studies, success stories, infographics) as well as draft policy briefs, technical guidelines, and scaling-up strategies based on pilot results to support national automotive circularity roadmaps in Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt, in close collaboration with the UNIDO HQ/field communication team. |
Technical content for knowledge products developed |
19 working days (equivalent to 15%) |
Location TBD |
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in engineering, environment, or other relevant discipline, is required.
Technical and Functional Experience:
- At least five (5) years of professional experience relevant to automotive and/or electric electronics, batteries including circular business models required.
- The ability to write clearly and concisely, research and analyse information independently, make connections with the organization's strategic vision, and recommend solutions is required.
- Experience in technical cooperation, including exposure at the international level, is desirable.
- Prior demonstrated experience with Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production methods and/or Circular Economy projects, is desirable.
- Experience in evaluating the needs and conditions of developing countries is desirable.
Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of French is highly desirable.
CORE VALUES AND BEHAVIORS
Core Values
EXCELLENCE – Deliver high-quality results; continuously improve performance.
INTEGRITY – Uphold ethical standards; act transparently and responsibly.
INCLUSION – Promote respect, diversity, and fairness.
HUMILITY – Show self-awareness; value others’ contributions.
HUMANITY – Act with compassion; align work with sustainable development.
Core Behaviors
CONNECT & COLLABORATE – Build trust through effective communication and teamwork; share knowledge and embrace diversity.
ANALYSE & PLAN – Use data and evidence to inform decision-making; plan proactively and prioritize effectively.
DELIVER RESULTS WITH POSITIVE IMPACT – Take ownership and deliver high-quality outputs; align work with UNIDO’s mission and objectives.
LEARN AND DEVELOP – Continuously develop skills and capabilities; seek feedback and share knowledge with others.
ADAPT AND INNOVATE – Respond flexibly to change; embrace innovation and new approaches.
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