Team Assistant

​Requisition ID: 4233 
Grade: G4 
Country: Austria 
Duty Station: Vienna 
Category: Project-funded GS 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Staff-Full-time
Appointment Type: Fixed Term – 100 series
Indicative Minimum Net Annual Salary: 48,527 EUR
Application Deadline: 16–Aug-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)  

Vacancy Announcement
This post is for local recruitment only.
THE APPOINTMENT IS LIMITED TO THE SPECIFIED PROJECT(S) ONLY AND DOES NOT CARRY ANY EXPECTATION OF RENEWAL.
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 Green Industry (TCS/CEG); Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA), Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP); SMEs, Competitiveness and Job Creation (TCS/SME); Digital Transformation and AI Strategies (TCS/DAS); and the Montreal Protocol Division. 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 position is located under the Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol Division (TCS/CMP/MPU) mandated to work in close coordination with other organizational entities within UNIDO, assists Member States in the emergence, deployment, and large-scale up-take of low-carbon and climate-resilient technologies, products and solutions. This will be achieved by promoting a systems innovation approach through accelerating innovation across key levers of change that includes technology, finance, policy, and regulations. In particular, the Division is responsible for the dual mandate of a) accelerating innovation and building climate innovation ecosystems to promote low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathways and b) planning, developing and implementing interventions to facilitate compliance with the Montreal Protocol and, in particular, its Kigali Amendment and to support countries in achieving their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). In addition, the Division is responsible, in close collaboration with other relevant entities of the Organization, for facilitating the transfer of low-carbon and climate-resilient solutions and building markets to ensure their widespread use by industry and local communities, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation and building resilience in recipient countries.

The Montreal Protocol Unit is responsible for the planning, development and implementation of activities in Member States to facilitate compliance with the Montreal Protocol and, in particular, its Kigali Amendment and to support countries to achieve their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Through capacity building and policy support, the Unit’s services promote manufacturing transformation in refrigeration, air conditioning and insulation technologies, resulting in the reduction and substitution of fluids and chemicals, and ultimately reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions and promote climate-resilient economies.

At the G4 level the incumbent is expected to perform general as well as targeted processes focusing on basic service delivery and support services within the organizational environment and team.  His/her interventions result in the focused process impact.

The UNIDO Staff Performance Management System reinforces the collaboration within formal units as well as among cross-functional teams. In this context, the incumbent collaborates with his/her supervisor and colleagues, within as well as outside the unit. Within the formal teams, the incumbent may be expected to backstop other team members as required.

Project Context

UNIDO is one of only four implementing agencies of the Montreal Protocol, which is regarded as the most successful environmental treaty of all time. UNIDO supports developing countries – known as Article 5 countries – in fulfilling their obligations under the Protocol through technical assistance, capacity building, and financial support, thereby fostering the transition from harmful substances in an inclusive and sustainable manner, which does not hinder economic development.

The Multilateral Fund to the Montreal Protocol provides UNIDO with annual operational fees through a lump sum component for Core Unit functionality which is utilized for paying administrative costs as distinct from project-related activities. UNIDO utilizes the operational fee in line with methodology provided to the MLFS in document UNEP/OzL.Pro/ExCom/60/51. Costs related directly to the Montreal Protocol Unit include staff salaries, non-project-related travel and expert group meetings, as well as general common operating costs, which are not charged to the individual projects. 

The Core Unit Budget for Montreal Protocol Unit is requested annually, subject to demonstrating the use of funding for performing core unit activities and number of personnel hired for performing such activities.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Head of the Montreal Protocol Unit, the Team Assistant provides support in the development and administration of technical cooperation programmes and projects as well as clerical and administrative support and is responsible for the following key functions:

• Screen incoming mail and draft reply for supervisor’s signature on non-technical aspects; provide relevant background/project information whenever necessary to supervisor(s); keeps track of pending matters, follow up with other offices on deadlines.
• Screen phone calls and visitors. Respond to moderately complex information requests and inquiries as necessary, as well as to refer queries to appropriate personnel for handling.
• Draft routine correspondence (both on administrative and/or TC-related matters); and put them into adequate style, language and format; proofread documents and edit texts for accuracy, grammar, punctuation and style in accordance with standard practices and in compliance with the UNIDO Correspondence Manual.
• Monitor decisions from Executive Committee meetings (ExCom) of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol (MLF) related to project approvals, preparing PAD requests and PAD revisions accordingly.
• Consolidate implementation forecast figures and progress and financial reports on behalf of the team for submission to the MLF Secretariat.
• Consult to clarify the application of new financial procedures and rules, UNIDO Administrative Instructions, policies and Regulations and Rules, TC guidelines and other instructions. Retrieve information on administrative matters and/or TC projects from the SAP modules which have been designed to support results-based management.
• Using SAP, initiate and follow up on actions related to recruitment of staff, experts, training and study tours, purchase of equipment, payments, travel authorizations requests/claims and deal with all related inquiries.
• Perform administrative tasks such as arrangements for meetings and other events, reservations, research for information and reference material. Prepare requests/documents, e.g. requisitions, purchase orders, travel requests/authorizations, expenditure authorizations, visa applications, etc.
• Maintain an up-to-date filing system (both paper and electronic) and databases related to work.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Education:

Completed higher secondary education, high school diploma or equivalent is required. Formal secretarial/clerical training or equivalent is desirable.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• A minimum of six (6) years of work experience in the relevant field of the post is required.
• Experience in office procedures and practices, preferably within the UN system or in a multicultural environment, is desirable.
• Experience in providing support to managerial/professional staff and using administrative skills is desirable.
• Experience of providing administrative support in the implementation of Multilateral Environmental agreements, specifically the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment, is desirable.
• Experience/proficiency in using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet is required.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP software is desirable.

Credit towards total working experience may be considered on a year by-year- basis, up to maximum of four years, for a higher degree education (including first university degree or equivalent diploma and/or master’s degree), in a relevant field to the post.

Languages:

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

Core 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.

NOTE: Eligible internal UNIDO applicants are required to have served at least one year in their current post if applying for a higher-level position. However, the seniority-in-grade requirements for applying for higher-level positions, as per paragraphs 18 and 78 of the HRMF, have been waived.

For further information on salaries, refer to the International Civil Service Commission website: https://icsc.un.org/ 

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.