Procurement and Financing Administrator (Project Administrator)

​​Requisition ID: 2338 
Grade: ISA-Junior Specialist 
Country: Austria 
Duty Station: Vienna 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 1 year
Application Deadline: 14-Jun-2023  

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) under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all relevant organizational entities within UNIDO, 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, Industrial Policy Advice and Statistics (TCS/CPS); 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 Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy (TCS/DSE) 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, assists Member States in the transition to a sustainable energy future through the application of renewable energy solutions for productive uses, adoption of the efficient concepts of energy use 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 are an integral part of the Division's activities, as is the dissemination of relevant knowledge and technologies and paths to plan, manage and finance the energy transition. It collaborates closely on relevant and converging issues with the Climate and Technology Partnerships Division (IET/CTP) and analytical and strategic matters with TCS/CPS and ODG/SPU.

This position is located under the Climate Technologies Innovation Unit (TCS/DSE/CTI) which is responsible for supporting Member States with access to and uptake of low-carbon, climate-friendly and clean energy technologies and innovations promoting those among firms and entrepreneurs. In addition, the Unit is responsible, in close collaboration with other relevant entities in the Organization, for facilitating the transfer of and establishing markets for low-carbon technologies, ensuring wide use by industry and local communities, thereby contributing to climate mitigation and resilience in recipient countries. The Unit positions UNIDO strategically in the global cleantech innovation support and coordinates partnerships with the technology mechanism of the UNFCCC.

PROJECT CONTEXT  

Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility (SAP ID 220201)

UNIDO, in partnership with the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero of the UK is conducting the Inception Phase the development of the Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility. The objective of the A2D is to provide grant funding to accelerate the commercialization of innovative technologies and business models by advancing Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) under three priorities: critical minerals; clean hydrogen; and cross cutting decarbonisation technologies. These themes are under-funded but are crucial for climate change mitigation and contributing to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries. In particular, the A2D Facility will focus on innovation in the innovation valley of death from TRL 3 (proof of concept) to TRL 7 (pilot demonstration).

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

As part of the Inception Phase of the Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility, the Procurement and Financing Administrator is responsible for designing the operational modality related to the A2D funding mechanisms (which includes, but is not limited to, calls-for-proposals), selection, and  milestone-based funds disbursement through A2D. Under the supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor and A2D Facility Manager, and working closely with the rest of the A2D Secretariat and supported project teams, and in close collaboration with the UNIDO procurement and finance teams, the Procurement and Financing Administrator administers elements of technical cooperation programmes and specific projects and execution of technical cooperation programmes, projects and activities. The Procurement and Financing Administrator is responsible for the effective financial management and robust procurement for the activities supported by the A2D Facility. The incumbent will perform other related duties and assignments for the A2D Facility more broadly, as required by the A2D Chief Technical Advisor and A2D Facility Manager. Main duties are:

• Select, organize and summarize background information to describe the overall context and background relevant to a project or a sector of technical cooperation activities in a country, assess the local context for the planning and administration of individual technical cooperation projects;
• Analyze and interpret project background history and documentation; identify, reconstruct and document significant project events, decisions and deviations;
• Draft sections of project documents such as project background and justification;
• Inform experts, consultants and other project participants about logistical arrangements and internal procedures for monitoring and reporting in terms of the immediate objectives of specific projects;
• Monitor specific aspects of project execution and identify problems and proposing that actions be taken to expedite delivery of inputs, working closely with the A2D Facility Communications, Monitoring and Reporting Associate;
• Draft comments on designated aspects of project progress as an input to programme monitoring;
• Draft project revisions, including adjusting individual project budgets, based on changed work plans.
• Ensure the A2D Facility’s financial management and procurement processes are robust, working closely with the three thematic Specialists managing the three A2D funding pillars to track finances at both the project-level and Facility-level;
• Work closely with the A2D Facility Communications, Monitoring and Reporting Associate to support organizing the logistics for the work of the A2D Facility and its staff, such as arranging briefings, tours, and related activities for visitors, missions, travel, events and fellowship holders.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree in engineering, sciences, economics, business administration, law, finance, international relations or other relevant discipline, is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least three (3) years of work experience in contracts, procurement services and/or financing is required. Exposure to UN procurement and finance procedures is highly preferred. 
• Ability to research and analyse information is required.
• Exposure and/or experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

REQUIRED VALUES AND 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