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Project Coordinator - Climate Adaptation Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Vienna

  • Organization: UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization
  • Location: Vienna
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Environment
    • Meteorology, Geology and Geography
    • Sustainable trade and development
    • External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
    • Climate Change
    • Project and Programme Management
    • Public, Private Partnership
    • Innovations for Sustainable Development
    • Managerial positions
    • Social Entrepreneurship
    • Technical Co-operation
    • Sustainable Business Development
  • Closing Date: Closed

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

VACANCY  ANNOUNCEMENT TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL

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 of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted 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 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 Environment and Energy (EAE), aims to integrate and scale-up the energy and environment activities focusing on supporting governments and industries to provide sustainable and resilient soft and hard infrastructure for industrial development, supporting industries to contribute to climate neutral circular economy, and supporting governments and industries in fulfilling national commitments under multinational climate and environmental agreements. The Directorate consists of the Department of Environment (ENV) and the Department of Energy (ENE).

The Department of Energy (EAE/ENE) assists Member States in the transition to a sustainable energy future under the overarching mandate of inclusive and sustainable industrial development, 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. The position is located under the Climate Technology and Innovation Division (EAE/ENE/CTI) which is responsible for supporting Member States with access to and uptake of low-carbon, climate-friendly and clean energy technologies, innovations and entrepreneurship. It focuses on supporting entrepreneurship and facilitating the establishment of climate technology innovation ecosystems. In addition, the Division is responsible for enhancing the use of low-carbon technologies by industry and local communities, thereby contributing to climate mitigation and resilience in recipient countries. In discharging its responsibility, in line with the overall strategy of the Department, the Division cooperates closely with the Energy Systems and Infrastructure Division (EAE/ENE/ESI) and the Energy Technologies and Industrial Applications Division (EAE/ENE/ETI), as well as other relevant organizational departments within UNIDO, in particular with the Department of Environment (EAE/ENV), the Department of Digitization, Technology and Innovation (DTA/DTI) and Department of Agri-Business (DTA/AGR), donors such as the GEF, Adaptation Fund, GCF, and other international and national institutions.

The position involves designing and management of projects on climate adaptation innovation. This involves deliberately designing and sourcing climate adaptation innovations across technology, financing, policy, regulations in an iterative test-learn-adjust approach. In particular, the incumbent will lead both ecosystem-based interventions and interventions focused on climate adaptation start-ups and SMEs to transform their early stage innovations into enterprises, provide business growth support, designing innovative seed and growth stage financing mechanisms and connecting start-ups and SMEs to investors as well as building innovation ecosystems. The incumbent will contribute to the design of climate adaptation innovations hubs and serve as a knowledge source on climate technology innovation, the related market potential and identify the niche for UNIDO’s engagement. DUTY STATION: Vienna, Austria DURATION: until 31 December 2021

Main Functions

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, assist in appraising, adjusting and presenting project proposals, and monitoring programme execution, identifying problems and utilizing information as an input to corrective actions to promote effective project management. Develops and administers technical cooperation projects by: - Locate and analyze specific economic and social data and distilling and synthesizing information relevant to proposed projects; - Identify, describe and justify project possibilities related to a particular project and consistent with approved technical cooperation programmes and ongoing activities; - Appraise, review and adjust project proposals to ensure consistency with national, sub regional, regional and sectoral priorities and programmes, and with available resources; formulate and present such proposals on the basis of technical and substantive inputs in accordance with required format for final review and approval; - Develop schedules, arrangements and methods for the management of the execution of individual project/s, in consultation with project personnel, technical, substantive and administrative service units; - Exchange information required for project formulation and execution with government officials in planning, finance, donor input coordination and sectoral functions, as well as with representatives of multilateral and bilateral donor agencies; - Monitor and expedite project execution systematically through discussions and correspondence with technical, substantive and project staff, field visits, analysis of periodic project progress reports, participation in tripartite reviews and mid-term project evaluations; utilize information obtained as an input to corrective decision-making and revisions; - Organize and conduct briefings and debriefings on projects with special regard for the country, sub regional and regional aspects, resources and development characteristics, with a view to maximizing project performance levels.

Core Competencies

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. 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.

Minimum Requirements

Education

Advanced university degree in engineering, sciences, economics, business administration, international relations or other relevant discipline, with specialization in climate adaptation innovation, is required.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language desirable.

Computer Skills

Field of Expertise

At least five (5) years of professional experience in technical cooperation project management or portfolio project management including some exposure at the international level, is required. Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, is desirable. Experience in climate adaptation innovation and entrepreneurship, resource efficiency, acceleration of SMEs and start-ups, climate technology value chain development, and designing and facilitating access to early stage funding for climate SMEs, provisions of business growth support services is required.

<strong>This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal. </strong>

This vacancy is now closed.
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