Female candidates from all Member States are particularly encouraged to apply.

VACANCY  ANNOUNCEMENT

Organizational Context

UNIDO is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013, 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 in the next fifteen years. 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 Programme Development and Technical Cooperation (PTC) is responsible and accountable for providing technical cooperation services to enhance the capabilities of developing countries and economies in transition to promote ISID in the following areas covered by five departments: Department of Programmes, Partnerships and Field Integration; Department of Agri-Business; Department of Trade, Investment and Innovation; Department of Environment; and Department of Energy. The position is located in the Department of Energy (PTC/ENE). The responsibility of the Department is to assist Member States in the transition to a sustainable energy future under the overarching mandate of ISID, through the application of renewable energy for productive uses, adoption of the efficient use of energy by industry and the introduction of low-carbon technologies and processes. In transitioning to a sustainable energy future, the challenges of addressing energy poverty and climate change become an integral part of the Department activities. Currently, the department is managing a growing portfolio of technical cooperation projects in the area of Small Hydro power sector (SHP). There is also a growing demand from member states in the area of project investment facilitation and an increasing demand for technical support with upscaling strategies to incentivize public and private investments in renewable energy technologies for productive use.

Programme Context: Promotion of Small Hydro Power (SHP) is an important intervention of UNIDO’s ENE portfolio, and ENE is currently implementing a number of SHP projects and programmes funded by GEF as well as other donors. The department has also established a number of SHP technology centres of excellence such as the International Centre for SHP in Hangzhou, China, the Regional Centre for SHP in Abuja, and the SHP Technology Centre in Tanzania. There are also a number of ongoing and pipeline SHP projects in China, Nigeria, Tanzania, Madagascar and Burundi. The objectives of these projects are to promote the sustainable development of SHP for increasing access to energy for productive activities and industrial processes. The projects aim at overcoming existing barriers through technology demonstration at pilot facilities, and facilitating investments and capacity building for scaling up and replication. Such projects have essentially the following components: Component 1: Awareness building and information dissemination as well as transfer and adoption of technologies. Component 2: Institutional and human capacity building and technology adaption through engaging national service providers (private sector), institutions and governmental authorities. Component 3: Strengthening of local relevant institutions in the hydropower sector to ensure long-term sustainability of such developments. Component 4: Implementing pilot projects for demonstrating viability and sustainable business models to promote replication and scale up. Such projects implementation follows a holistic approach to ensure appropriate measures on technicality, social, economic, environmental and prevailing policy in the country. Component 5: Scaling up of SHP in developing countries through facilitation of investments. Component 6: Technical assistance in policy, legal and regulatory frameworks that sustainably promote and support such projects and technologies in the country. In the above context, the Senior Technical Advisor (STA) role is to develop and lead the Department of Energy project investment facilitation services for RE technologies in general and the SHP programme more specifically, and to provide technical support and advisory services to governments and/or project developers with various stages of the SHP development cycle. Furthermore the STA is expected to manage technical cooperation projects in the SHP sector and facilitate public and private partnerships leading to investments. The incumbent will be responsible for assisting the national executing partners and host governments in the countries of intervention to promote project activities targeting dissemination of SHP technology and related institutional and human capacity building, in a manner that best serves their national targets pertaining to SDGs no.7 and 9. He/She will also review and monitor progress under the ongoing SHP projects, and prepare a strategic plan for scaling up SHP programme at the regional / sub-regional level. The incumbent would be based at UNIDO HQ in Vienna with possible travels to countries of interventions, as and when required. The UNIDO Staff Performance Management System reinforces the collaboration within formal units as well as among cross-functional teams. In this context, the incumbent collaborates with his/her supervisor and colleagues, within as well as outside the department. Within the formal teams, the incumbent may be expected to backstop other team members as required. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Director General and in this context all staff are expected to serve in any assignment and duty station as determined by the needs of the Organization.

Main Functions

The Senior Technical Advisor is responsible for: 1. Undertake an objective assessment of UNIDO’s SHP programme so far and document the lessons learned, and based on the lessons learned and considering the trends, prepare a Strategic Plan for scaling up the SHP Programme; 2. Prepare new tools and streamline existing tools for design and effective implementation of the SHP Programme; 3. Provide strategic advice to UNIDO’s SHP centres and provide recommendations for further strengthening of these centres in close cooperation with regional RE & EE centres, networks and the Field Offices; 4. Provide strategic and technical guidance on further developing and strengthening partnerships with national entities representing government, business and professional sectors for the mainstreaming and scaling up of SHP technologies and systems; 5. Provide specific support to ongoing SHP projects in China, Burundi, Madagascar, Nigeria, Tanzania and any other new initiatives in the project pipeline; 6. Provide the strategic guidance and quality assurance of the SHP projects, including contribution to monitoring and reporting; 7. Prepare technical and financial evaluation of offers received from selected suppliers, and assist investors with the vendor selection; and identify and select national partners for technology transfer; 8. Assist in preparing detailed project report (DPR) and in techno-commercial negotiations to finalize contracts and orders for technology transfer; 9. Oversee development and execution of capacity building trainings of national experts for operation and maintenance (O&M) and trouble-shooting of implemented technologies; 10. Identify funding sources for the future portfolio of his/her projects and actively mobilize the funding required. 11. In consultation with the Department Director, identify and oversee the preparation for UNIDO's global forum activities (conferences, seminars, expert group meetings, technical research, global goods, etc.) and running of awareness-building, knowledge dissemination, and information exchange. Initiate action-oriented research. Guide and prepare UNIDO publications and other information dissemination aids and tools. Keep abreast of technical and economic developments in his/her field of specialization through close contacts with specialized institutions and industry representatives, following the technical press, market developments and trends; 12. Represent the Organization vis-à-vis internal and external counterparts in areas relating to the areas of specialization: specifically, make presentations, provide advisory services, conduct training and awareness campaigns. 13. Participate in and contribute to global initiatives and promote UNIDO core-competence in the area by undertaking research, guides, expert group meetings and suitable visibility documents. 14. Bring to the attention of the Director any cross-cutting and/or policy matters; 15. Ensure effective utilization of intra and inter-department complementarities to enhance the focus and impact of the Department’s programme. 16. Any other special assignments, as requested.

Core Competencies

INTEGRITY: To work honestly, openly, impartially and in accordance with the values of the United Nations. PROFESSIONALISM: To work in a competent, committed and calm manner. RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY: To work effectively, respectfully and inclusively with people from different backgrounds and with different perspectives. RESULTS ORIENTATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY: To be accountable and responsible for achieving results and meeting performance standards. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: To plan, organize and manage work effectively and efficiently. COMMUNICATION AND TRUST: To communicate effectively and build trust. TEAM ORIENTATION: To cooperate at various levels. CLIENT ORIENTATION: To be responsive towards those to whom services are provided internally and externally. ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION: To realize continuous improvement, support innovation, share knowledge and skills and learn from others.

Minimum Requirements

Education

University Master's degree or equivalent in civil, mechanical or electrical engineering with specialization in water resources or hydro power related subjects, management or applied science disciplines

Languages

English (Fluent), required. Working knowledge of other UN language(s), an asset.

Computer Skills

Field of Expertise

Programme management (10 years and more), a minimum of 10 years of experience in technical cooperation at the country or international level as a senior or chief technical expert, project manager or in a senior position dealing with development, implementation and evaluation of SHP projects, technology cooperation and transfer. Previous experience gained within or in cooperation with the United Nations Common System is an asset; Demonstrated substantive knowledge of international best practice methods, techniques and policies in the area of SHP development. Familiarity with UNIDO technical cooperation programmes and overview of global SHP activities are added advantages; Demonstrated effectiveness as liaison and network building at senior government and business levels. NOTE: Eligible internal UNIDO applicants are required to have served at least one year in his or her current post. However, the seniority-in-grade requirements for applying for higher level positions, as per paragraph 78 of the HRMF, have been waived

<strong> </strong>