​​Requisition ID: 5410 
Grade: P2 (Junior Specialist) 
Country: Austria 
Duty Station: Vienna 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Application Deadline: 23-Apr-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

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.

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. The Directorate is responsible for the Division of Industrial Policy Advice and Capacity Development (TCS/IPC), and technical Divisions of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG), Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA), Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP); MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI). Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, TCS collaborates closely with IET to develop and implement programmes and projects, aiming at enhancing synergy and complementarity and maximizing UNIDO corporate performance and impacts on the ground. The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in all Directorates across the Organization.

The Division of Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP) assists Member States in the emergence, deployment, and large-scale up-take of solutions for low carbon and climate resilient industrialization. The division promotes system innovation approach to achieve transformational change in climate change by innovating across key levers of change including technology, finance, policy, and regulation. The Division is responsible for the dual mandate of accelerating innovation and building climate innovation ecosystems to promote low-carbon and climate-resilient industrialization; and 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 NDCs. In addition, the Division is responsible, in close collaboration with other relevant entities of the Organization, for facilitating the transfer of innovative low-carbon and climate adaptation solutions and building markets to ensure their widespread use by industry and local communities, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience in recipient countries. It collaborates closely on relevant and converging issues with TCS/CEG, TCS/ECA and IET/CTP.

The position is located under the Climate Technology Innovation Unit (TCS/CMP/CTI), which responsible for supporting Member States in fostering innovation across technologies, finance, policy and regulation to promote the emergence, deployment and large-scale up-take of low-carbon and climate adaptation solutions and business practices. In addition, the Unit is responsible, in close collaboration with other relevant entities in the Organization, for facilitating the transfer of and establishing markets for low-carbon and climate adaptation solutions, ensuring wide use by industry and local communities, thereby contributing to climate mitigation, adaptation and building resilience in recipient countries. The Unit positions UNIDO strategically in the global discourse on climate technology innovation support and acts as the focal point in UNIDO for partnership with the technology mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Climate Adaptation Innovation Portfolio 

UNIDO’s approach to building its climate adaptation innovation portfolio involves developing projects that address key environmental challenges while promoting sustainable economic growth. This includes a rigorous project selection and development process, ensuring alignment with UNIDO and partner country’s strategic objectives. By working closely with the partner countries and the climate adaptation ecosystem, UNIDO aims to design and implement projects that deliver significant environmental benefits and contribute to the global environmental agenda. The future vision is to establish a diverse and impactful climate adaptation portfolio that supports long-term environmental sustainability and resilience.

• Adaptation SMEs Innovation Facility (ASIF) to accelerate the growth and commercialization of high-impact climate adaptation SMEs – SAP ID 230036

The Adaptation SMEs Innovation Facility (ASIF) is a UNIDO initiative launched with support from the Adaptation Fund, under the framework of the Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA). The initiative aims to enhance the resilience and adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities by facilitating the deployment of innovative climate adaptation technologies and solutions. The support provided to SMEs in developing countries is a strategic approach employed to achieve this overarching goal. By providing comprehensive support and resources, ASIF aims to empower adaptation SMEs to scale up their operations and deploy effective adaptation solutions in diverse local vulnerable communities.

ASIF consists of three components: Ignite, Propel, and the Knowledge and Learning mechanism.

Ignite (Component 1) supports adaptation SMEs at TRLs 3-4/BRLs 2-4. It provides business growth to support companies at these early stages develop impactful and viable products and business models.

Propel (Component 2) provides milestone-based grant financing and technical support to adaptation SMEs at TRLs 5-7/BRLs 5-7. This component aims to support SMEs in deploying their solutions to vulnerable communities. The grants are performance-based and tied to the achievement of specific milestones.

Strengthening the ecosystem of knowledge, funding, and talent for early-stage climate adaptation & resilience SMEs in emerging markets (Component 3) will capture and create knowledge and expand and share evidence-based learnings for climate adaptation, component 3will compile and provide analysis of insights gained from working with adaptation SMEs under components 1 and 2.

• Program for innovation in climate adaptation and resilience building solutions (PARS)

The overall objective of the programme aims at mobilizing the private sector investment for climate adaptation technology development and deployment in six (6) country projects: Angola, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, and Somalia, focusing on sectors such as food, agriculture, water, and energy. The global project (SAP ID 240051) coordinates the country projects throughout their implementation phase. The programme is built on four pillars: (1) Creation of a conducive policy environment to stimulate the development and uptake of innovative climate adaptation and resilience building solutions; (2) Development and deployment of innovative climate adaptation and resilience building solutions; (3) Development of innovative financial instruments for climate adaptation and resilience building solutions; and (4) Coordination, Knowledge Management and Learning.

1. Programme for innovation in climate adaptation and resilience building solutions: Promoting climate adaptation and resilience through innovation and entrepreneurship for green jobs in Angola (PARS Angola) – SAP ID 240275, WBS: 240275-0-02-01; Grant: 2000005449

This project is part of the newly developed UNIDO’s Program titled 'Program for innovation in climate adaptation and resilience building solutions (PARS)'.  The primary objective of this child country project in Angola is to reduce climate vulnerability and enhance resilience of vulnerable communities to climate change. This will be achieved through private sector by promoting innovation, facilitating technology transfer, and deploying adaptation-oriented solutions at scale. The project places a specific focus on creating employment opportunities through Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in priority sectors/ value chains.

1. Programme for innovation in climate adaptation and resilience building solutions: Promoting climate adaptation and resilience through innovation and entrepreneurship for green jobs in Madagascar (PARS Madagascar) – SAP ID 240274, WBS: 240274-0-01-01; Grant: 2000005450

This project is part of the newly developed UNIDO’s Program titled 'Program for innovation in climate adaptation and resilience building solutions (PARS)'.  It is designed to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience to climate change through promoting innovation, transfer and large-scale deployment of adaptation-oriented technologies and services by SMEs and create jobs in priority value chain sectors such as food, agriculture, water, and energy in Madagascar. This project specifically aims to address challenges stemming from climate change impacts in Madagascar including natural hazards such as floods, rainfall variability, drought, alongside rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns. The primary objective of this child country project in Madagascar is to reduce climate vulnerability and enhance resilience of vulnerable communities to climate change. This will be achieved through working with the private sector and promoting innovation, facilitating technology transfer, and deploying adaptation-oriented solutions at scale. The project places a specific focus on creating employment opportunities through Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in food and agriculture, water, and energy sectors.

The selected candidate is expected to contribute to the portfolio by creating, designing or producing high-quality multimedia content including but not limited to infographics, video, presentations, social media graphics, and other visual assets, to effectively convey the portfolio’s progress, results and impacts to a wide audience. 

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Project Manager(s), and working with the project team(s), the incumbent shall carry out the following main duties:

• Design, edit and produce visually compelling content and assets (e.g. infographics, social media graphic cards, project introduction videos, interview videos of project stakeholders/beneficiaries, diagrams and slides for project presentations, project brochures and leaflets, etc.) that communicate progress, results, and impacts of projects and programmes.

• Build a pool of visual assets by sourcing copy right free resources or procuring copy righted resources for project teams.

• Support project teams in maintaining and augmenting social media presence in alignment with UNIDO guidelines and best practices (including but not limited to https://www.linkedin.com/company/unido-climate-tech-innovation).

• Support in the execution of communication strategies and action plans of UNIDO climate adaptation innovation projects in alignment with UNIDO guidelines and best practices, as well as donor brand guidelines as applicable.

• Produce visual content and assets.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Advanced university degree  (Master's or equivalent) in graphic design, multimedia, film and video production, photography, cinematography, journalism, digital media communication, audiovisual communication, computer science, advertising and marketing, or any other related field, is required.

In lieu of an advanced degree, a first level university degree or an advanced technical college diploma may be acceptable provided it is combined with an additional three years of professional hands-on experience that is directly relevant to the expertise required by the specific assignment.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible working experience in visual content and asset creation, including experience at the international level, is required.
• Strong portfolio showcasing previous work in video production / graphic design / content creation is required and all applicants are requested to submit their portfolio as part of the application package.
• Proficiency in multimedia design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Canva, Figma, etc.) is required. Excellent communication and collaboration skills, ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines, are required.
• Working knowledge of video production processes (shooting, editing, post-production), storytelling approaches, and familiarity with social media platforms and their specific content requirements, are highly desirable.

Languages:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of other official UN language(s) is of advantage.

REQUIRED 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.

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