Title: National Project Manager

​Requisition ID: 3329
Grade: SB5 – Local Professional (Mid-Level & Senior)
Country: Viet Nam
Duty Station: Hanoi
Category: National Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 6 months
Application deadline: 08-Feb-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)  

 

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, 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 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 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

Accelerating energy efficiency in lager industries through energy management systems, systems optimization and the promotion and adoption of energy efficiency in small and medium-sized enterprises (IEEP) – SAP ID 190311

UNIDO is implementing a project on accelerating energy efficiency in larger industries through energy management systems, system optimization and the promotion and adoption of energy efficiency in small and medium-sized enterprises (IEEP) in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) of Vietnam. The IEEP project is funded under Financing Agreement no. ACA/2021/040-898 “EU-Viet Nam Sustainable Energy Transition Programme” (SETP) as a complementary support measure.  The project duration is five (5) years from 2023 to 2027. The project is designed with three substantive components that address the current market barriers to the promotion and stimulation of market demand and increase the adoption of energy efficiency practices by industry for greater energy performance, reduced carbon footprint, and enhanced productivity and competitiveness.

 

Capacity building and implementation support of the Project will be provided to improve the Energy Management Systems and energy efficiency (EE) related to steam, compressed air, chillers, refrigeration, pumping, process heat, and motor systems. These represent the highest energy consumption and operational costs within industrial energy systems, and therefore present the largest potential for energy savings. The project will target a broad base of 10 industrial sectors including seafood, food-processing, textiles and garment, rubber, pulp and paper, cement, metallurgy and steel, chemicals and fertilizers, plastics and beverages.

 

The project will also focus on awareness raising and building the capacity of the following key stakeholders: Government authorities (local and central government agencies), equipment manufacturers/suppliers, equipment distributors, engineers, relevant industrial associations, Energy Conservation Centres (ECCs), Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), national experts/consultants including energy audit experts, and financial institutions with special attention to participation of women and women-led enterprises.

 

Furthermore, the project will stimulate a market for EE products and services by working with industry to build awareness and implement EE practices to increase demand. Trained energy managers and other local experts will form a critical mass of expertise and networks to support the replication and scale up of these activities in other DEUs and SMEs and industrial enterprises across the country. The increased availability of national experts will create new opportunities for companies such as ECCs or ESCOs to provide EE services.

 

The project is therefore envisioned to provide long-term development gains and benefits for Viet Nam including significant energy savings, reduced environmental and climate change impacts, enhanced energy security, capacity building of the government counterparts and empowerment of the project beneficiaries. The project will thereby directly contribute to the achievement of the targets and overarching objective outlined in the VNEEP 3.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The National Project Manager (NPM) will have overall responsibility for the management and effective execution of the project, and the achievements of planned outputs and set objectives. The NPM will be responsible for ensuring that all relevant partners and institutional stakeholders are kept involved and informed as appropriate, in order to ensure optimum cooperation. The NPM will play a key role in all project activities. The NPM will be responsible also for the management of the Project Office (PO) comprising of the NPM, National Technical Advisor, Project Assistant, Financial Assistant, Training Coordinator and Communication Officer. With the technical and managerial supervision and support of the UNIDO’s Project Manager, periodic consultation with the Project Coordination Board (PCB) and ongoing dialogue with key project partners, the NPM will be responsible for the daily management of the project to ensure that the project is effectively and smoothly implemented. Specifically, the NPM is expected to carry out the duties and activities listed in Table I below under general supervision of the UNIDO Project Manager (PM) and guidance from the UNIDO Vietnam Country.

 

MAIN DUTIES	Concrete/measurable Outputs to be achieved	Expected duration	Location
Project Management and Implementation To lead, manage and coordinate the day- to-day operations of the project office (PO), including administration, accounting and reporting; In close consultation with project execution partners, primarily the MOIT, and UNIDO PM, to prepare detailed annual working plans with human resource, budget requirements; To coordinate the execution of all activities under three project components leading to the successful implementation of the project in the country, including implementation, quality control and monitoring of all project activities in the country; To monitor project activities execution against working plans’ milestones and outputs, and take prompt corrective actions whenever needed; To lead the preparation of national contracts’ terms of reference; identification of national contractors/ bidders and preparation of cost estimates and time schedules for providing services as required by the project; To lead the preparation of job descriptions for national consultants and assist in their recruitment process through advertisement, collection of applications and short-listing of candidates; To inform the UNIDO Project Manager (PM) the need of international expertise in the implementation of project activities and assist the PM in preparing job description for international consultants for different project activities; To 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; To ensure timely delivery and quality of national contractors’ and experts’ outputs and deliverables; To coordinate activities of project execution partners, consultants and contractors including contract management, supervision of field operations, logistical support, review of technical outputs/ reports, assessment of project achievements and cost control; To supervise the work of the local project team assigned to work on the project and/or to perform ad-hoc activities; To attend key meetings related to the project (including MOIT and EU) and act as the focal point of the project at national level; To assist the UNIDO Project Manager in identifying any issues and risks of the project implementation and make recommendations on necessary actions to effectively cope with identified risks and coordinate the implementation of the approved risk mitigation actions.	Effective management, sound coordination and timely implementation of project activities in line with UNIDO and EU rules and regulations.	80%	Hanoi and other locations with Vietnam
Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Provide inputs for strategic advice in the elaboration of the operational planning and monitoring system for the project; Coordinate the implementation of monitoring and evaluation for the activities of the project using appropriate tools with output verifiable indicators; Execute the administrative and financial monitoring of the project and its activities; Take full responsibility in preparation of monthly, quarterly, progress and annual reports for the project according to MOIT, donor specifications and UNIDO requirements; Support the preparation of PCB meetings and provide relevant documentation, including reporting, drafting and revising ToRs and if required act as Secretary of the PCB; 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.	Timely and quality reporting of project progress and performance vis-à-vis planned activities, outputs and set outcomes and indicators; Quality of project expertise and services ensured.	10%	Hanoi and other locations with Vietnam
External Relations Maintain networks and partnerships with national institutions, private sector, UN project partners, other donor funded projects related to energy efficiency; 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.	Partnerships with project partners are strengthened.   Communications strategy completed and success stories and lessons learned disseminated through identified appropriate media.	5%	Hanoi and other locations with Vietnam
4. Project contingent activities To carry out ad-hoc activities that might become needed during project execution; To carry out other activities related to the project as desired by UNIDO Project Manager.		5%	Hanoi and other locations with Vietnam

 

Reporting:

 

In line with UNIDO and EU requirements and templates, the NPM will have to prepare and submit the following reports and documents and others as required:

• • Progress reports;
  • Annual project implementation review reports;
  • Minutes of PCB meetings.

 

The NPM will have also to submit quarterly and a final short summary of his/her in-country travels and main activities. All reports must be in English and as long as possible, submitted in electronic format.

 

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

 

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in engineering, energy economics, management or other relevant discipline is required.

 

Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least seven (7) years in the implementation and management of industrial energy projects in the private sector; experience in managing multi-disciplinary team of experts working in thematic areas such as energy efficiency and industrial energy systems is required.
• Strong understanding of and experience in energy management standards and system optimization application in Viet Nam is desirable.
• Good knowledge and understanding of key stakeholders involving in energy efficiency promotion and financing of energy efficiency sector in Viet Nam; with ability and experience to work with government officials, businesses, financial institutions and CSOs is desirable.
• A high level of self-motivation, good leadership skills, and strong ability to plan, initiate and manage multi-disciplinary activities within the context of a multi-donor international project is required.
• Excellent knowledge and familiarity with the working of Vietnamese government agencies and their process and rules will be an asset.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office software package (Word, Excel, Power Point and Project) is required.

 

Languages: Full proficiency in Vietnamese and strong command of English in both speaking and writing 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