Title: Climate Finance Associate Expert
Grade: L2
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
Category: Project-funded Professional and higher
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Indicative Minimum Annual Salary: 50,377 USD EUR
Application Deadline: 14-Mar-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)
Background
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 Climate Finance Associate Expert 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.
At the L2 level, the Climate Finance Associate Expert is expected to deliver: (a) work that is analytical in contributing to results achieved by the Division; (b) in creating an enabling environment for collaborative work which is catalytic to achieving results; (c) in building relationships which contributes to counterparts’ engagement and (d) in achieving results that provide baselines for a service. The measure of success is timely, consistent and appropriate delivery of results.
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.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Director-General and in this context all staff are expected to serve in any assignment and duty station as determined by the needs of the Organization.
II. Project Context
Partnership for Net Zero Industry (SAP 230085)
In the fight against climate change, energy intensive industries such as steel and cement are the next frontier. Together these two sectors account for 15% of the global GHG emissions. The demand for these commodities is expected to grow as cities and communities across the world are expanding. Achieving decarbonization of these sectors and sectors like chemicals will require a major transformation.
While some private sector companies and some of the leading developed countries have announced commitments to industrial decarbonization, the main challenge is how to deploy low carbon technologies across the globe and bring the developing countries into this debate. Currently there is a very limited market or demand for low-carbon industrial products, which is the main reason for the lack of progress in industry decarbonization. There are a number of challenges to overcome at the company, national and global levels.
The Partnership for Net Zero Industry aims to provide technical assistance to first mover industrializing developing countries willing to leapfrog and switch to less-carbon intensive production methods of steel, cement and concrete to meet net zero target by 2050. The Partnership will support the relevant ministries in partner countries in tackling the dual challenge of ensuring industrialization and economic growth while at the same time reducing industry related GHG emissions.
It will do so by working with wide range of national and international stakeholders, including government authorities, industry players, financing institutions, solution providers, think tank and research institutions to address decarbonization challenges that exist at the global, national and company levels. The ultimate goal of the programme is to trigger and enable substantial investment in decarbonization solutions through international collaboration and partnerships.
The Partnership for Net Zero Industry will work to:
- Component 1 ‘Tailored Planning & Policy Support’: Support the development of national transformation pathways in developing countries and emerging economies to a climate neutral industry by 2050. This entails an assessment of steel and cement industries, identification of technology options and decarbonization pathways, supporting the adoption of medium- and long-term targets for reducing GHG emissions and the development of specific policy instruments and incentive schemes to encourage uptake of decarbonization technologies. This will also include providing support to policymakers with planning for necessary infrastructure as well as supporting the countries with setting up measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) frameworks for industrial sector GHG emissions to enable better policy planning and decision-making.
- Component 2 ‘Technology Collaboration & Pipeline Development’: Facilitate technology collaboration and prepare a pipeline of feasible decarbonization solutions for deployment within steel, cement and concrete manufacturers in partner countries. Following a call for proposals, companies will be supported to prepare pre-feasibility studies and they will be further linked to available financing opportunities. The Programme will support technology solutions packages aiming to improve overall system efficiency, material efficiency, process change and improvements, use of renewable sources for heating, electrification of heating, the use of low-carbon hydrogen and carbon capture storage and/or utilization.
- Component 3 ‘Global Convening, Coordination & Knowledge Sharing’: Foster dialogue, international collaboration and global industry-wide knowledge sharing on industry decarbonization solutions, experiences, and lessons learned. Governments and industries in developing countries need more information on the technology options available for decarbonization, including respective opportunities, processes, costs and other parameters. The Partnership will work on developing and widely disseminating such targeted knowledge products as well as tools, guidelines, templates and methodologies through a dedicated knowledge-sharing platform. It will also facilitate North-South and South-South cooperation to foster accelerated diffusion and commercialization of applicable technologies.
- Global Matchmaking Platform: The Global Matchmaking Platform for Industry Decarbonization will facilitate the alignment, coordination and matchmaking of existing international technical and financial assistance offers and private finance instruments to the needs and priorities of emerging markets and developing economies in the area of industry decarbonisation. The platform aims at creating synergies between cooperation and funding instruments, thereby improving the enabling environment and scaling up finance for industry decarbonisation in these countries.
III. Climate Finance Associate Expert Responsibilities
The Climate Finance Associate Expert works under the overall guidance of the Chief and Officer in Charge, Division of Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy; the direct supervision of the Project Manager and in close collaboration with the colleagues to support the mandate of the Division. The Climate Finance Associate Expert will be responsible for providing technical support to the smooth and timely execution of projects and be accountable for the achievement of project results as/if assigned. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- In line with the guidelines and procedures governing the technical cooperation activities of UNIDO, formulate and execute technical cooperation projects/ programme related to the interest of the potential donors and within the mandate of the Division/Department.
- Provide technical input in preparing detailed work plan and budget, design monitoring and evaluation tool for the project activities under Component 2 of the Project;
- Execute and monitor projects/ programme implementation activities and services under Component 2 of the Project, ensuring that assigned inputs are delivered on time at the right level of quality and within the allocated budget.
- Actively engage with the financing community and private and public sector investors to identify suitable investment de-risking and climate financing instruments as well as mobilize additional funding for industry decarbonization projects.
- Support the work under the Global Matchmaking Platform with regard to mapping of technical and financial assistance offers and the collection of good practices and experiences on effective financing instruments for industry decarbonisation;
- Support the engagement of private sector actors with the objective of mobilising their capital through raising awareness, improving capacity and knowledge, supporting peer learning, and the identification of gaps, needs and challenges for accessing finance for industry decarbonisation.
- Prepare necessary inputs (consultant job descriptions, terms of reference, training arrangements, equipment specifications, etc.), monitoring progress in implementation, including if required missions to project site(s), as well as take part in oversight meetings in the field and at headquarters, and assist the Evaluation Group in its evaluations of projects/ programmes.
- Support advocacy, communication and global forum activities related to the progamme/project and aimed at strengthening public relations, including the preparation of promotional materials, organization of media events, dissemination of information on the project activities through UNIDO/project website and network of UNIDO offices.
- Support progamme/project specific fund mobilization activities.
- Perform other related duties and assignments as required.
IV. 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.
Climate Finance Associate Expert 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.
V. Climate Finance Associate Expert Minimum requirements and desirable criteria
Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in economics, engineering, sciences, finance, environment, business administration, or other relevant discipline is required.
Experience, technical knowledge and functional expertise:
- A minimum of three (3) years of working experience, including some at the international level, in project execution or coordination, particularly in the area of sustainable development, and/or climate finance is required.
- Experience/knowledge of development agencies, donor communities, private sectors, government and relevant financing institutions is desirable.
- Experience/knowledge of climate financing instruments is required.
- Experience in mobilizing funding for sustainable development projects is desirable.
- Experience in evaluating the needs and conditions of developing countries is desirable.
Language Skills:
Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency in or working knowledge of another official language of the United Nations is desirable
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