National Project Coordinator (NPC)

​Requisition ID: 3764 
Grade: SB5 – Local Professional (Mid-Level & Senior) 
Country: Thailand 
Duty Station: Bangkok 
Category: National Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 12 months
Application deadline: 17 May 2024 

 

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Only nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are considered eligible.
Female candidates are 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 Divisions/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, 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, 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, the Division of Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy (TCS/DSE) 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.

 

The position is located under the Energy Systems and Industrial Decarbonization Unit (TCS/DSE/ESD) which focuses on promoting sustainable energy solutions and infrastructure for industrial development. It promotes industrial decarbonization through crosscutting solutions, such as optimized energy management systems and the deployment of renewable energy technologies. Bringing together the supply and demand side for disruptive energy solutions, both technical and business related, the Unit fosters transformative change on the system level driven by the convergence of key technologies such as distributed generation, digitization and storage. The Unit is also responsible for coordinating dialogues and partnerships at national, regional and global levels to promote disruptive energy solutions and shape 59 policy change for this. Finally, the Unit positions UNIDO strategically in the global energy and climate change forums and coordinates the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres and related partnerships.

 

PROJECT CONTEXT

 

Project: Decarbonization of the cement and concrete sectors in Thailand (SAP ID 230119)

 

UNIDO, in partnership with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), is currently executing a comprehensive project aimed at advancing industrial decarbonization efforts, with a specific focus on the cement and concrete sectors in Thailand. Over the course of three years, this initiative entails a multifaceted approach:

1. Enhancing the capacity of policymakers and offering technical support to leverage national regulations and policies, thereby fostering conducive environments for comprehensive decarbonization solutions within the cement and concrete industries.
2. Pioneering a national innovation acceleration program to support entrepreneurs in developing groundbreaking solutions, facilitating connections with industries seeking such technologies.
3. Bolster the development and implementation of national action plans aligned with Thailand’s cement and concrete net-zero roadmap.
4. Strengthening public-private cooperation and partnerships, including business mentorship, with a focus on active involvement from women and youth.
5. Providing technical and financial aid to implement pilot technology demonstration projects, showcasing significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. These projects are designed to be scalable through co-financing mechanisms.
6. Advocating for standards and practices conducive to low-carbon cement and concrete production, including the establishment of robust measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems.
7. Facilitating south-south triangular cooperation by disseminating experiences and lessons learned from Thailand to other countries within the region, thereby fostering knowledge exchange and collaborative efforts toward sustainable industrial practices.

 

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager in HQ and close cooperation project team in the field and HQ, the National Project Coordinator will be responsible for the overall coordination/implementation, monitoring/evaluation and reporting of the project.   Specifically, the Project Coordinator will perform the following duties:

1. Advise the Project Manager on preparing detailed work plan and budget, design monitoring and evaluation tool for the project activities;
2. Coordinate the execution of all activities leading to the successful implementation of the project in the country, including implementation, quality control and monitoring of all project activities in the country;
3. Liaise with government counterparts, provide regular updates, financial reports and troubleshot problems as required;
4. Attend key meetings related to the project and act as the focal point of the project at national level;
5. Organize and conduct briefings and debriefings on projects for the country, sub regional aspects, resources and development towards maximizing project performance level;
6. Coordinate the preparation of ToRs for recruitment of international and national project consultants and contractors;
7. Supervise the work of the local project team assigned to work on the project and/or to perform ad-hoc activities;
8. Coordinate the preparation of technical requirements/technical specifications for procurement, including designing of technical requirements, elaboration of relevant questions from tenders, evaluations, etc. ensuring compliance with the relevant UNIDO administrative rules and policies;
9. Take project initiatives to enhance the success of the programme including partnerships opportunities with private sectors;
10. Maintain close links with other private sector development initiatives to ensure a consistent and integrated approach.
11. Provide inputs for strategic advice in the elaboration of the operational planning and monitoring system for the project;
12. Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation for the activities of the project using appropriate tools with output verifiable indicators;
13. Execute the administrative and financial monitoring of the project and its activities;
14. Coordinate the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reporting for the programme according to donor specifications and UNIDO requirements;
15. Support the preparation of steering committee meetings (SCs) and provides relevant documentation, including reporting, drafting TORs of the Steering Committee based on UNIDO templates and if required act as Secretary of the PSC;
16. Coordinate the preparation of a final report at the end of the contract comprising all relevant information compiled from the interim reports, conclusions and recommendations;
17. Lead the coordination and preparation of steering committee meetings (SCs), including preparing ToRs;
18. Maintain networks and partnerships with national institutions, private sector, UN project partners;
19. Coordinate the dissemination of project knowledge to the wider public by proposing examples of best practices and success stories, as well as replicable strategies and approaches;
20. Prepare a consolidated final report of the programme/project in close consultation with all the stakeholders and submit to UNIDO by the end of the programme/project.

 

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Advanced university degree in engineering, innovation science or technological science with specialization in environmental, climate change, low carbon technology, energy engineering or technological innovation is required.

 

Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least seven (7) years of professional experience in coordinating the implementation of development/technical cooperation programmes/projects at national level or international level, is required.
• Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems of the country or similar country in the region is required.
• Experience in climate change mitigation, industrial energy efficiency and industrial decarbonisation in Thai industries is required
• Experience in in coordination of wide range of stakeholders such as development agencies donor communities, private sectors, government and relevant institutions in the country, or similar country in the region is required.
• Knowledge and experience on circular economy and resource efficiency and cleaner production concept is desirable.

 

Languages:

Fluency in written and spoken English and Thai 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