Only nationals and/or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are eligible to apply. Female candidates 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 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 (EAE), headed by a Managing Director, 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 and the Department of Energy. The responsibility of the Department of Energy (EAE/ENE) 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.

This position is located under the Energy Systems and Infrastructure Division. The Energy Systems and Infrastructure Division (EAE/ENE/ESI) focuses on promoting sustainable energy solutions and infrastructure for industrial development. The promotion of industrial decarbonization through crosscutting solutions, such as energy management systems and standards, energy systems optimization, and deployment of renewable energy technologies is one of the core functions of the Division. In addition, the Division supports Member States with the transition to sustainable energy systems for ISID. By bringing together supply and demand side perspectives, the focus of the Division is on system level changes and transformative solutions driven by the convergence of key technologies such as distributed generation, digitization and storage technologies as well as climate policies. The Division focuses on disruptive solutions, being they technological or business models. It is also responsible for coordinating policy engagement and dialogues, at national, regional and global levels, and through pursuing meaningful global partnerships in the field of sustainable energy and climate change.

PROJECT CONTEXT “Support to the implementation of Sri Lanka’s Nationally Determined Contributions in the industrial sector” is a 5-year project funded by the European Union under GCCA+ initiative. The main government counterparts are the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Power. The overall objective of the Project is to contribute to climate change mitigation through supporting the implementation of Sri Lanka's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) for the industrial sector. The specific Project objective is to scale-up the climate change response of Sri Lanka’s industrial sector through the design and implementation of technical, policy, regulatory and financial tools and mechanisms to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy, energy and resource efficiency technologies and best practices. The Project aims to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions through accelerating the uptake of innovative technologies, established best practices and methods for reducing carbon intensity and improving energy and resource efficiency performance of Sri Lanka’s industrial sector. Furthermore, this project is envisioned to contribute to long-term development gains such as capacity building of the government counterparts and empowerment of the project beneficiaries. Expected Outcomes: EO1: A Monitoring, Review and Verification (MRV) system for the industry sector is developed and implemented and baseline for the industrial sector established EO2: An industrial sector plan for implementing NDCs has been validated and activities prioritized according to agreed criteria EO3: Policy and regulatory frameworks are improved and related awareness and capacity building of stakeholders to implement these frameworks have been built EO4: Capacity related to climate change mitigation practices in the area of industry is built EO5: Pilot technologies and methodologies leading to improved energy efficiency and reduction in GHG emissions are tested to be then replicated The Project is implemented with the support of EU GCCA+ initiative, which aims to assist the world’s most vulnerable countries to respond to climate change. The project corresponds with the following priorities: to contribute to enhancing Sri Lanka's resilience to climate change while enabling the engagement in low-carbon development processes via the implementation of the NDCs. Duty station: Colombo / Sri Lanka Approximate duration: 12months

Main Functions

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Senior Project Assistant provides support in the development and administration of technical cooperation programmes and projects as well as secretarial and administrative support and is responsible for the following key functions: - Screen incoming mail and draft replies for supervisor’s signature on non-technical aspects; provide relevant background/project information whenever necessary to supervisor(s); keep track of pending matters, follow up with other offices on deadlines; - Screen phone calls and visitors. Respond to complex information requests and inquiries as necessary, as well as to refer queries to appropriate personnel for handling; - Draft routine and non-routine correspondence (both on TC-related and administrative matters); and putting them into adequate style, language and format; proofread documents and edit texts for accuracy, grammar, punctuation and style in accordance with standard practices and in compliance with the UNIDO Correspondence Manual; - Assist in the preparation of papers and presentations by extracting/summarizing statistics; undertake computer based searches, compile background information to assist in project identification and formulation; - Initiate or monitor exercises related to the implementation of TC projects (e.g.: budget revisions, obligation reviews, re-phasing, extension or completion of projects, issuance of new project allotment documents/due sub-allotments, TC allocations and monitoring related exercises. Interpret or consult to clarify the application of new financial procedures, TC guidelines and other instructions. Keep track of project budget expenditures; recommend and initiate budget revisions; complete justification for budget revisions; provide information on the project, draw the supervisor’s attention to problems encountered. Retrieve substantive information on TC projects from the SAP PPM module that has been designed to support results-based management; - Using SAP, initiate and follow up on actions related to recruitment of experts, training and study tours, purchase of equipment, travel authorizations requests/claims and deal with all related inquiries; - Perform general administrative tasks like arrangements for meetings and other events, reservations, budget follow-up, research for information and reference material. Prepare requests/documents, e.g. requisitions, purchase orders, travel requests/authorizations, expenditure authorizations, visa applications, etc.; - Carry out ad-hoc assignments and research activities, as required - Maintain files (both paper and electronic) and databases related to work; - Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Core 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.

Minimum Requirements

Education

Completed higher secondary education (high school diploma or equivalent), is required. Formal administrative/secretarial/clerical training or equivalent, is desirable. Credit towards total working experience may be considered on a year by-year- basis, up to maximum of four years, for a first university degree or equivalent diploma, in a relevant field.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of one of the official languages in Sri Lanka is required.

Computer Skills

Field of Expertise

• A minimum of eight (8) years of experience in the related fields of the post, is required. • Experience using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel), internet search engines, is required. • Experience with office procedures and practices, preferably within the UN system or in a multicultural environment, is desirable. • Experience in project administration, accounting and finance, providing support to managerial/professional staff and using secretarial/administrative skills to assist in the execution of project development and implementation of work, is desirable. • Experience with SAP or similar ERP software is desirable.

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