Requisition ID: 7776
Grade: ISA-P3
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 6 months
Application Deadline: 23-Jul-2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)
Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
UNIDO welcomes applications from qualified persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to applicants and employees with disabilities to support full participation in the recruitment process and in the performance of their duties.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty and hunger reduction, inclusive and fair globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013, the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019 as well as the Riyadh Declaration adopted at the twenty-first session of UNIDO General Conference in 2025, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Member States. The relevance of this mission 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 inclusive and sustainable industrial development, however, applies to all SDGs.
The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) 2026 - 2029 is UNIDO’s core strategic document and it is in line with UNIDO’s Vision 2050. It sets a renewed vision to support Member States and shape their industries for development. The priorities include fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, renewable and clean energy, sustainable energy access and climate action. Cross-cutting priorities focus on industrial and economic policy advice, skills development, fostering digitalization and artificial intelligence, gender equality and the empowerment of women, supporting youth, promoting cleaner production and circular economy, and leveraging private sector investment and development finance.
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-related activities; and (iv) convening and fostering partnerships for knowledge and technology transfer, investment mobilization, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Sub-regional Offices and Country Offices.
Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all relevant organizational entities within UNIDO, 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 Division of Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA) assists Member States in the transition to low-carbon and climate resilient economies through the promotion of renewable energy, energy efficiency solutions and breakthrough technologies in industry and other key sectors, diversifying supply chains for renewable energy manufacturing and stimulating innovation to address critical climate and energy related challenges.
The Division assists governments in fulfilling national commitments under the Paris Agreement and progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, thereby facilitating a just transition towards sustainable industrialization. In transitioning to a low-carbon and climate resilient economies, the challenges of addressing energy poverty and climate change are an integral part of the Division's activities, as is the dissemination of policies, knowledge and technologies and pathways to plan, manage and finance the energy transitions and climate action for industrial transformation. It collaborates closely on converging issues with IET/CTP and TCS/CMP.
The position is located under the Energy Systems and Industrial Decarbonization Unit (TCS/ECA/ESD) promotes the emergence, deployment and large-scale adoption of sustainable energy technologies to drive the decarbonization of energy systems and industrial processes. It supports Member States to charter pathways for net zero industrial development through the development of conducive policies. It also promotes the deployment of crosscutting energy efficiency solutions, electrification and carbon management of industrial processes in large and small-scale industries. It charters norms and standards for reporting embodied carbon in products and supports member states in developing the reporting and verification structures to support compliance with global standards. transformation. It collaborates closely on converging issues with IET/CTP and TCS/CMP.
PROJECT CONTEXT
The Partnerships Coordinator will support partnership development and management within the Energy Systems and Industrial Decarbonization (ESD) Unit, ensuring alignment with the broader strategic priorities of the Energy and Climate Action (ECA) Division and coordination with other units, including the Just Energy Transition (JET) Unit. The role will contribute to advancing partnerships across ESD projects and flagship initiatives on industrial decarbonization, sustainable cities, sustainable fuels including maritime and potentially AI, including the Net Zero Partnership for Industrial Decarbonization (NZP), the Global Matchmaking Platform (GMP), the Global Decarbonization Accelerator (GDIA), the Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative (IDDI), and the Cities-Industry-Climate Nexus.
GDIA – Global Decarbonization Investment Accelerator for hard to abate sectors (SAP 250417)
The Global Decarbonization Investment Accelerator (GDIA) is a GEF-8 funded global initiative designed and implemented by UNIDO in strategic alignment with the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) Industry Decarbonization Program (IDP). The GDIA aims to accelerate the systemic decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors, starting with cement, by strengthening the policy, technical and financial foundations required to mobilize large-scale investment in emerging and developing economies.
Hard-to-abate industries account for nearly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, with cement alone responsible for approximately 7% of global CO₂ emissions. While low-carbon technological pathways exist, the principal barriers to deployment remain fragmented data systems, insufficiently aligned policy frameworks, limited financial de-risking instruments, and weak investment readiness at the national level.
The GDIA addresses these barriers through a structured three-component architecture:
- Component 1 – Global Methodological Backbone:
Development of harmonized global methodologies for data-driven industrial decarbonization planning, enabling policy framework assessment, technology pathway identification, and financial de-risking analysis. These tools form the analytical and institutional foundation of the Accelerator.
- Component 2 – National Readiness and Responsive Support Mechanism:
Application of the global methodologies in selected pilot countries to generate integrated cement-sector decarbonization roadmaps, policy reform recommendations, and financing strategies. In parallel, a Just-in-Time Country Support Facility provides rapid, demand-driven assistance to additional countries aligned with CIF pipelines and multilateral financing windows.
- Component 3 – Progress and Impact Tracking:
stablishment of a harmonized monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) system aligned with GEF, CIF and UNIDO standards, ensuring globally comparable MRV frameworks, accountability, and adaptive management across participating countries.
The overarching objective of the GDIA is to convert industrial decarbonization ambition into finance-ready investment pipelines by aligning asset-level data, technology roadmaps, policy frameworks and capital mobilization tools within a coherent and scalable platform
Net Zero Partnership for Industrial Decarbonization (SAP 230085):
The Net Zero Partnership for Industrial Decarbonization (NZP-ID) programme 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 Programme delivers support to countries through the following three components:
- Policy & Planning: Supporting the development of national strategies and policy frameworks for the transformation of industries towards net-zero target by 2050.
- Pipeline Development: Facilitating low-carbon technology collaboration and pipeline development of feasible decarbonization solutions for heavy industries such as steel, cement and concrete.
- Partnerships & Knowledge-Sharing: Fostering dialogue, international collaboration and global knowledge-sharing on deployment of industry decarbonization solutions.
Global Matchmaking Platform (under SAP 230085):
The Global Matchmaking Platform (GMP) was launched at COP29 as a flagship initiative under the umbrella of the Climate Club, designed to fast-track the decarbonization of high-emitting industries in emerging and developing economies. By connecting country-specific industrial decarbonization needs with globally leading technical and financial solutions, the GMP acts as a key support mechanism for fostering collaboration among governments, private sector entities, financial institutions, and development agencies. The GMP’s mission is to bridge the critical funding and technology gaps necessary to achieve industrial decarbonization and accelerate global climate action.
The Global Matchmaking Platform connects countries with a network of delivery partners, offering comprehensive technical and financial support for industrial decarbonization efforts. These partners assist nations in key areas such as policy development, the transfer of innovative technologies, and facilitating investments to drive the transition to zero and low-emission industrial practices including assistance for enhancing the emissions goals. This mechanism allows countries to tailor their decarbonization pathways while streamlining access to guidance and resources provided by partner organizations to achieve deep emissions reductions.
The GMP's matchmaking process ensures that each country receives tailored support for its unique needs, with pilot project discussions already underway in countries such as Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Egypt, Indonesia, Kenya, Morocco, and Cambodia, among others. In addition, delivery partners including Climate Investment Funds, the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), UNIDO and the World Bank have already committed their expertise, further strengthening cooperation between governments, international organizations, and the private sector to make industrial decarbonization more efficient and impactful.
Cities-Industry-Climate Nexus:
The decarbonization of cities and urban communities is not merely a climate imperative. It is an industrial
development strategy for an inclusive and sustainable future. Decarbonizing cities creates markets for clean industries, reduces environmental, social and economic risks, and builds resilient economies. It is not just about solar rooftops and electric buses. It is also about transforming the urban-industrial systems that power urban life, from the production of cement, steel, textiles and food, to the organization of logistics, the development and application of cleantech, and the management of waste. UNIDO’s Cities Team implements country, regional, and global projects supporting a vision for a city-driven, industry-led and human-focused global transition, where the path to net zero takes shape in the daily workings of urban neighbourhoods, local companies and municipal governments.
IDDI Industrial deep decarbonization Initiative Phase 2.0 (SAP 250375):
The Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative (IDDI) aims to accelerate the decarbonization of heavy-emitting industries by strengthening demand-side market and policy conditions for low- and near-zero-emission industrial products, starting with steel, cement, and concrete. Together, these materials account for approximately 15 per cent of global CO₂ emissions yet remain among the most challenging sectors to decarbonize due to energy- and carbon-intensive production processes, limited availability of scalable low-emission technologies, and insufficient market incentives. Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 therefore requires coordinated policy action, transparent standards, and clear demand signals that support investment in cleaner production pathways.
Launched in 2021 under the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) and coordinated by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), IDDI works with governments and international stakeholders to address these challenges by leveraging green public procurement (GPP) and advancing harmonized emissions reporting, standards, and definitions for steel, cement, and concrete. The initiative supports governments in stimulating market demand for low- and near-zero-emission construction materials while improving transparency and comparability across markets. By aligning procurement frameworks with interoperable emissions standards, IDDI helps reduce investment risk, facilitate international cooperation, and strengthen the business case for industrial decarbonization.
IDDI Phase 2.0 (2026–2028) builds on the achievements of the first phase and shifts the initiative toward implementation, scale-up, and global alignment. The initiative will work with governments, procurement authorities, standards bodies, industry, financial institutions, and knowledge partners to expand and operationalize GPP commitments and to advance interoperable standards and data systems that enable credible emissions disclosure and benchmarking. Particular attention will be given to inclusive and gender-responsive approaches and to pathways tailored to emerging markets and developing economies, complementing efforts such as UNIDO’s Net Zero Partnership for Industrial Decarbonization (NZP-ID). The overall objective is to unlock sustained market demand and investment for low-emission industrial products, supporting just, transparent, and resilient transitions toward net-zero industrial systems by 2050.
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the incumbent supports the development, management, and coordination of strategic partnerships across the Energy Systems and Industrial Decarbonization (ESD) Unit, ensuring alignment with the priorities of the Energy and Climate Action (ECA) Division and coordination with relevant organizational units. The incumbent contributes to strengthening collaboration with governments, development partners, financial institutions, industry, academia, and international organizations to advance industrial decarbonization, sustainable energy systems, and related flagship initiatives.
The incumbent shall carry out the following duties:
- Develop a partnership's dashboard to map and consolidate the existing partnerships as well as coordinate with the new partners;
- Conduct stakeholder mapping, ecosystem analysis, and market intelligence activities to identify strategic partnership opportunities, synergies, overlaps, and gaps across governments, industry, financial institutions, development partners, and international initiatives relevant to industrial decarbonization and sustainable energy systems;
- Support the development, implementation, and periodic updating of partnership strategies, engagement plans, and collaboration frameworks aligned with ESD and ECA priorities, ensuring that partnerships contribute to programme delivery, policy impact, resource mobilization, and scale-up of activities;
- Identify, develop, and manage strategic partnerships with governments, multilateral development banks, donor agencies, private sector entities, philanthropic organizations, research institutions, and international organizations, fostering collaboration across ESD programmes and flagship initiatives, including the Net Zero Partnership for Industrial Decarbonization (NZP), Global Matchmaking Platform (GMP), Global Decarbonization Investment Accelerator (GDIA), and the Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative (IDDI);
- Support the formulation, negotiation, and formalization of collaborative arrangements, including partnership frameworks, memoranda of understanding, joint workplans, and other cooperation mechanisms, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and operational requirements;
- Coordinate engagement with partners and stakeholders through meetings, consultations, missions, workshops, technical exchanges, and joint activities, while ensuring effective follow-up and translation of discussions into concrete collaboration opportunities and programme outcomes;
- Prepare strategic briefing notes, talking points, presentations, background papers, and stakeholder analyses to support senior management participation in bilateral engagements, international conferences, high-level meetings, and policy dialogues;
- Facilitate coordination and information exchange among internal teams, projects, and initiatives to ensure coherence of engagement, consistent messaging, effective knowledge sharing, and the identification of opportunities for cross-project collaboration and impact;
- Support resource mobilization efforts through the identification of funding opportunities, donor engagement, preparation of concept notes, project proposals, partnership packages, and related documentation, including the mobilization of financial and in-kind contributions;
- Monitor and track partnership activities, commitments, contributions, and results, maintaining relevant databases, engagement trackers, and reporting systems, and providing analytical inputs for programme planning, reporting, visibility, and management decision-making;
- Support the preparation of knowledge products, lessons learned, partnership case studies, and communication materials that strengthen institutional learning, showcase partnership outcomes, and enhance the visibility and impact of ESD initiatives;
- Organize and conduct briefings, stakeholder consultations, and knowledge-sharing activities to strengthen cooperation, promote strategic alignment among partners, and maximize the effectiveness and impact of partnership-driven activities.
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Economics, Business Administration, International Relations, International Affairs, Political Science, Public Policy, Diplomacy, Environmental include climate, energy, environmental management and assessment, engineering, social sciences or other closely related field, is required.
Technical and Functional Experience
- A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in technical cooperation, project or portfolio management, strategic partnerships, or international cooperation related to climate action, industrial decarbonization, innovation, or sustainable development is required.
- Experience working with governments, development partners, international organizations, and the private sector, particularly in developing country contexts, including assessing national priorities and supporting multi-stakeholder engagement, is required.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct stakeholder analysis, identify partnership opportunities, and develop collaborative arrangements with private sector, including with Member States and institutional partners, is required.
- Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prepare high-quality briefing materials, reports, and recommendations, are required.
- Excellent oral and written communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments, are required.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and stakeholder or partnership management tools is desirable.
Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.
CORE VALUES AND BEHAVIORS AND FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCE
Core Values
Excellence – Deliver high-quality results; continuously improve performance
Integrity – Uphold ethical standards; act transparently and responsibly
Inclusion – Promote respect, diversity, and fairness
Humility – Show self-awareness; value others’ contributions
Humanity – Act with compassion; align work with sustainable development
Core Behaviors
Connect & Collaborate - Build trust through communication and teamwork; Share knowledge
and embrace diversity
Analyse & Plan - Use data and evidence for decision-making; Plan proactively and prioritize
effectively
Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Take ownership and deliver quality outputs; Align work
with UNIDO mission and objectives
Learn and Develop - Continuously develop skills; Seek feedback and share knowledge
Adapt and Innovate - Respond flexibly to change; Embrace innovation and new approaches
Functional Competence
Continuously develop and maintain expertise
Stay informed of industry trends and best practices
Apply knowledge to improve results and decision-making
Adopt new tools and technologies
Take ownership of professional development
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
