Requisition ID: 5372
Grade: L4
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
Category: Professional and Higher
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Staff-Full-time
Appointment Type: Fixed Term - 200 series
Indicative Minimum Net Annual Salary: 124,044 USD
Application Deadline: 18-Apr-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)
Vacancy Announcement
THE APPOINTMENT IS LIMITED TO THE SPECIFIED PROJECT(S) ONLY AND DOES NOT CARRY ANY EXPECTATION OF RENEWAL.
Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
Detailed information on the project can be found at UNIDO’s Open Data Platform: https://open.unido.org/
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 SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET) is responsible for developing, based on existing and to-be-developed capacities and service modules, innovative services aimed at strengthening the existing technical cooperation portfolio to meet the current global challenges and attract more funding and new donors, as well as engaging in more and new partnerships with Member States, development partners and the private sector. The Directorate also ensures internal coordination and integration of technical cooperation services at UNIDO and monitoring of the quality and impact thereof.
The Directorate houses the Divisions of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR), Innovative Finance and International Financial Institutions (IET/IFI), Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST), Public-Private Partnerships (IET/PPP), and Climate and Technology Partnerships (IET/CTP). The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions and relevant entities in the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO) and the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS).
The focus of the Division of Climate and Technology Partnerships (IET/CTP) is to identify, design, negotiate and coordinate innovative partnerships and support the elaboration and initiation of joint technical cooperation programmes and actions. The Division coordinates UNIDO Global Programme for Hydrogen in Industry and its related partnership and technical cooperation programme and represents UNIDO in relevant high-level policy discussions and fora. The Division facilitates skills development, knowledge management and exchange, and supports UNIDO’s global forum activities associated to climate and technology innovation; and coordinates high-level partnerships and events. Furthermore, the Division aims to support increased participation of Member State and private sector in carbon markets, strengthen global coordination and integrity of carbon projects, and position UNIDO as a leader in the carbon markets space.
This position is located in the Global Carbon Solutions (IET/CTP/GCS) Unit of the Climate and Technology Partnerships Division. The GCS Unit will coordinate and integrate UNIDO’s strategic approach under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Working in close collaboration with relevant UNIDO divisions and units, the GCS Unit will lead and coordinate UNIDO initiatives on carbon market engagement, including capacity-building efforts under Article 6. It will identify, design, negotiate, and manage carbon market opportunities to support the participation of developing nations in Article 6 mechanisms. It will build strategic partnerships among Member States, the private sector, financial institutions, research institutions, experts, innovation platforms, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), and other key stakeholders to foster and enhance engagement in a high integrity carbon market. Additionally, it will facilitate knowledge sharing among stakeholders, promote the exchange of expertise, and identify best practices to empower developing nations in their carbon market participation.
The Technical Advisor will work under the overall guidance of the Chief of IET/CTP, and in close collaboration with colleagues to support the mandate of the Division.
At the L4 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver (a) work that is innovative and original; (b) in creating an enabling environment which expands across functions and sectors; (c) in building partnerships which result in advocating and championing UNIDO’s programmes and (d) in achieving results within Programme teams. The measure of success is systemic and catalytic delivery of results.
The UNIDO Staff Performance Management System reinforces 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.
Project/Programme Context
Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015 and entered into force in 2016, is a legally binding international treaty on climate change, which mandates countries into climate action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Article 6 of the Paris Agreement provides principles for how countries can “pursue voluntary cooperation” to reach their climate targets. Article 6.2 allows countries to trade emission reductions and removals (carbon credits) with one another through bilateral or multilateral agreements as well as government-to-private sector on voluntary carbon markets. Countries and firms are eligible to apply for the so-called “emissions compensation” (or offsets) for compensation of emissions in excess of their targets despite emissions abatement measures. The private sector champions various emissions offsetting schemes with varying quality levels. Article 6.4 will create a global carbon market overseen by a United Nations entity, referred to as the “Article 6.4 Supervisory Body”. Project developers will request to register their projects with the Supervisory Body. A project must be approved by both the country where it is implemented, and the Supervisory Body, before it can start issuing UN-recognised credits. These credits, known as A6.4ERs, can be bought by countries, companies, or even individuals.
In November 2024, during COP 29, an agreement on Article 6 rules was reached, marking a significant milestone as Article 6 is now considered fully operational. This agreement sets the stage for a new phase of international cooperation on carbon markets, enabling countries to meet their climate goals through mechanisms that foster transparency, environmental integrity, and sustainable development.
Countries and major public and private enterprises increasingly recognize the potential of carbon market-based approaches as part of a package of solutions to drive emissions reductions, stimulate green investments, and support sustainable development. By creating a market for carbon emissions, these systems introduce a financial value to reducing greenhouse gas pollution. The economic incentive encourages businesses and governments to seek out and implement cost-effective ways to lower their carbon footprint.
Against this backdrop, an internal UNIDO Task Force was set up to investigate the potential role the Organization could play in helping developing countries benefit from renewable energy and industrial decarbonisation projects on the voluntary carbon markets. Building on the outcomes of the work carried out by the Task Force, the project aims to empower UNIDO Member States and private sector partners to actively participate in high-integrity carbon markets, leveraging Article 6 mechanisms. Through strategic partnerships, capacity building, and project development, the project will focus on fostering scalable, replicable carbon market projects while integrating carbon credit solutions into UNIDO operations. The project also seeks to enhance UNIDO leadership in global carbon markets by developing innovative methodologies, such as for hydrogen-based carbon credits, and by actively engaging in international forums. Ultimately, the project will contribute to global climate action, sustainable development, and the transition to low-carbon economies.
The project includes the following two outputs
Develop a pipeline of high-integrity carbon markets projects. This includes forging partnerships with relevant stakeholders and actors and identifying and developing carbon markets projects, also through the development of dedicated carbon markets project evaluation tools and methodologies for assessing carbon credits.
Strengthen the positioning of UNIDO in the global carbon markets space. This includes building UNIDO internal know-how on carbon markets by organizing specialized training sessions on carbon offsetting methodologies and the specific requirements for carbon projects, positioning UNIDO in the UN system coordination on carbon markets, ensuring UNIDO participation to high-level fora, coordination groups, and policy dialogues, strengthening the role of the Organization and coordination within the UN system on carbon market, and building know-how on Article 6 for the Organization’s Member States.
Functional Responsibilities
The incumbent works under the overall guidance of the Chief of the IET/CTP Division, and in close collaboration with the colleagues to support the implementation of the carbon market work of the Division.
The incumbent is responsible for designing, implementing, and monitoring activities aimed at enhancing the participation of developing countries and private sector partners in global carbon markets. Key focus areas include fostering partnerships, developing innovative methodologies (e.g., hydrogen-based carbon credits), and contributing to positioning UNIDO as a leader in high-integrity global carbon market dialogues.
The incumbent ensures the timely delivery of project outputs, mobilize resources, and engage stakeholders to create a pipeline of high-integrity carbon market projects. He/she oversees capacity-building programs and promote knowledge sharing across Member States, UNIDO staff, and the private sector.
The role involves managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders, maintaining alignment with Article 6 mechanisms, and ensuring that UNIDO activities adhere to the highest standards of transparency, environmental integrity, and sustainability.
Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to
Programme Development