Project Coordinator

​​Requisition ID: 4281 
Grade: ISA-Specialist 
Country: Austria 
Duty Station: Vienna 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 12 months
Application Deadline: 6-Aug-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)  

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
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.

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, ensures the Organization’s application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to environment, energy, Micro, Small and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs), and digitalization. The Directorate also oversees the Organization’s normative contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through industrial policy advice and capacity development. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute to effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results, scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.

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 Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG) 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 promotes circular economy policies, programmes and practices including circular business models that improve the profitability of industries while creating social and environmental benefits. 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 small and medium-sized enterprises. 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 Resource Efficiency Unit (TCS/CEG/CRE), which is responsible for supporting capacity development to promote the adoption of circular and resource-efficient consumption and production patterns across value chains. It fosters circular economy solutions including policies, programmes, practices, and business models that enhance industry profitability while generating social and environmental benefits. Furthermore, it facilitates design for circularity emphasizing reduced or alternative materials inputs, greater durability, reusability, reparability, and ultimately recyclability. The Unit promotes nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches that support the coexistence of industries and nature.

PROJECT CONTEXT

“Support for small and medium-sized enterprises’ transition towards a green and circular economy” (Project ID: 230143) is a project financed by the European Commission through the Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) under the umbrella of the “Regional package on Green and Circular Economy – Green Forward”. The project will commence its inception phase in July 2024, and will be implemented over a period of four years.

The project’s overall objective is to create green jobs along targeted value chains, including to contribute to sustainable economic growth, decarbonized and climate resilient development, decent jobs creation, and a safer, healthier, and pollution-free environment. This action will be conducted in the eight countries of the Southern Mediterranean region previously supported by the SwitchMed II Programme (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia) plus Libya.

The project will build on the achievements of the SwitchMed II programme and will focus on two outputs. Under Output 1, resource efficient and circular business models will be demonstrated, and capacities thereon will be built, including on access to finance, through the development of industrial pilots. Under Output 2, resource efficiency and circular economy knowledge will be disseminated at educational, Technical and Vocational Education and Training and policy levels, including regionally, to support regional cooperation and capacity building.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, assists in appraising, adjusting and presenting project proposals, and monitoring programme execution, identifying problems and utilizing information as an input to corrective actions to promote effective project management, develops and administers technical cooperation projects. The incumbent shall carry out following main duties:

• Locate and analyze specific economic and social data and distilling and synthesizing information relevant to proposed projects.
• Identify, describe and justify project possibilities related to a particular project and consistent with approved technical cooperation programmes and ongoing activities.
• Appraise, review and adjust project proposals to ensure consistency with national, sub regional, regional and sectoral priorities and programmes, and with available resources; formulate and present such proposals on the basis of technical and substantive inputs in accordance with required format for final review and approval.
• Develop schedules, arrangements and methods for the management of the execution of individual project/s, in consultation with project personnel, technical, substantive and administrative service units.
• Exchange information required for project formulation and execution with government officials in planning, finance, donor input coordination and sectoral functions, as well as with representatives of multilateral and bilateral donor agencies.
• Monitor and expedite project execution systematically through discussions and correspondence with technical, substantive and project staff, field visits, analysis of periodic project progress reports, participation in tripartite reviews and mid-term project evaluations; utilize information obtained as an input to corrective decision-making and revisions.
• Organize and conduct briefings and debriefings on projects with special regard for the country, sub regional and regional aspects, resources and development characteristics, with a view to maximizing project performance levels.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Advanced university degree (mater’s or equivalent) in engineering, sciences, economics, business administration, international relations or other relevant discipline with specialization in project management, is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least five (5) years of professional experience in technical cooperation project management or portfolio project management including some exposure at the international level, is required.
• Ability to research and analyse information independently and recommend solutions is required.
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner is required.
• Experience tracking progress against logical framework indicators and reporting indicator values according to donor requirements, is required.
• Ability to work effectively in multi-cultural teams is desirable.
• Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, is desirable.
• Basic understanding of the UNIDO Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (TEST) Methodology and circular economy is desirable.

Languages:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language, particularly Arabic or French, is desirable.

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.