Communications and Knowledge Management Specialist

​​Requisition ID: 1563 
Grade: ISA-Specialist 
Country: Austria 
Duty Station: Vienna 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular 
Application Deadline: 20-Dec-2022  

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

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 Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, oversees the Organization's development of capacities for industrial development as well as industrial policy advice, statistics and research activities and the Organization's normative contribution to Member States and global development community in achieving the SDGs. The Directorate also ensures the application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to Environment, Energy, SMEs, Competitiveness and Job creation, as well as Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute toward effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results and on realizing any potential for scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.

The Directorate houses the technical Divisions of Capacity Development and Industrial Policy Advice (TCS/CAP); Circular Economy and Environmental Protection (TCS/CEP); Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy (TCS/DSE); SMEs, Competitiveness and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and AI Strategies (TCS/DAS). The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO) and the Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET).

The Division of Circular Economy and Environmental Protection (TCS/CEP) 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 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 SMEs. 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 Economy and Resource Efficiency Unit which  is responsible for supporting capacity development to scale up and mainstream the production of sustainable products and adoption of circular and resource-efficient cleaner patterns of consumption and production along value chains, circular economy policies, programmes and practices, including circular business models that improve the profitability of industries while creating social and environmental benefits. In addition, it promotes nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches for inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) that support the co-existence of industries in harmony with nature. In addition, it facilitates the design of sustainable products made with fewer materials, with greater durability, reliability, reparability, reusability and recyclability, and supports the deployment of new business models that improve environmental performance

PROJECT CONTEXT

The project "Improving IWRM, Knowledge-based Management and Governance of the Niger Basin and the Iullemeden- Taoudeni/Tanezrouft Aquifer System (NB-ITTAS)" is a regional project financed by the Global Environment Facility and jointly implemented by UNDP and UNEP to support 11 countries in Western Africa (Algeria, Benin, Burkina, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauretania, Niger and Nigeria).

These countries are in partnership with the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) and the Observatory of Sahara and Sahel to support the implementation of the Strategic Action Programme for the Niger River Basin, to expand the knowledge base required for the improved management of the Iullemeden-Taoudeni/Tanezrouft Aquifer System (ITTAS), and to promote the conjunctive management of the surface and groundwater management in the basin.

The overall objective of this UNDP-UNEP-GEF project is to support Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) concept for the benefit of communities and the resilience of ecosystems.

To reduce pollution in the basin through industrial activities and to promote active participation of private sector in the pollution reduction efforts, the project supports through its Component 3 the roll-out of the Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technology (TEST), which will contribute to reducing wastewater discharges and pollution loads in the Niger River basin through systematic and integrated approach in partnership with private sector.

UNIDO has been chosen as an entity that will be responsible for the successful roll-out of the TEST in the basin for its knowledge and expertise required for the successful TEST application.

The Niger Basin Authority and the Ministries of Water Resources and Environment of the riparian countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Nigeria), the Ministries and national institutions in charge of industrial development will be the primary counterparts for this project.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, and working collaboratively with the project team and partners, the Communications and Knowledge Management Specialist will lead communication and knowledge management support, provide technical knowhow for planning, design and implementation of the knowledge sharing aspect of the Project.

Activities will be dedicated to capturing best practices, lessons learned, and raising the visibility of the project – both internally and externally. Results from the project will be disseminated within and beyond the project intervention zone through existing information sharing networks and forums.

The Specialist will apply their experience to the project and help the team measure impact by:

• Working proactively with the Project Manager and project team to capture and share knowledge, and disseminate information about major progress, results and lessons learned following a pre-defined set of templates;
• Supports the Project Manager and project team to develop knowledge products and manage information materials across all technical components of the project;
• Develop and maintain material for websites and blogs that can be easily shared with partners and the project steering committee for dissemination;
• Develop outreach material that focuses on the concepts and issues in a manner that can be readily understood by the public and policy makers;
• Produce video documentaries for capturing project results and impact on beneficiaries;
• Assist the Project Manager in the development of a Project Legacy Video;
• Prepare Factsheets/Case Studies to promote projects results and activities;
• Support the organization of workshops/seminars to disseminate results and capture feedback;
• Support other ad-hoc communications and knowledge management assignments, as required;

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree in science journalism, science communication or related area, is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least five (5) years of relevant working experience, including in science journalism or in communications, as well as in Knowledge Management is required;
• Demonstrated experience in developing knowledge management products and content that clearly communicates ideas and experiences for reports, web, print production, and audio-visual productions is required;
• Understanding of the conditions and problems in developing countries, is desirable;
• Knowledge of transboundary water management and/or water stewardship is an asset.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and French 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