Title: LDC Coordinator

​​Requisition ID: 4123
Grade: ISA-Specialist
Country: Home Based
Duty Station: Home Based
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Contract Duration: 252 working days over the period of one year
Application Deadline: 25-Jul-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)

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) 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 Environmental Protection (TCS/CEP); Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy (TCS/DSE); SMEs, Competitiveness and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and AI Strategies (TCS/DAS). 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 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 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.

PROJECT CONTEXT

PROJECT TITLE: Strengthening Engagement and Action by the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group on Climate Change - GEF ID 10994 - SAP ID 220042

Further information on the LDC project is available at: https://open.unido.org/projects/M0/projects/220042.

UNIDO is implementing the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded projects “Strengthening Engagement and Action by the Least Developed Countries Group on Climate Change” (GEF ID 10994 - SAP ID 220042) in collaboration with Climate Analytics (CA) and International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). The project seeks to strengthen the institutional structures of the LDC Group on Climate Change, enabling them to enhance their participation and advocacy for LDC positions on climate change adaptation and mitigation in UNFCCC processes and the translation of relevant decisions into concrete actions on the ground in LDC countries. One major outcome of the UNIDO project is the formal establishment, legalization and operationalization of the permanent secretariat of the LDC Group.

The Least Developed Countries (LDs)

The Least Developed Countries (LDs) are forty-four (44) nations representing over one billion people across Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Caribbean, which contribute the least to climate change, yet disproportionately suffer from its ever-increasing impacts. The LDC Group on Climate Change, united behind a shared common interest and circumstances, have been negotiating as a Group in the UNFCCC process since 2001, to ensure their voices are heard and their priorities are reflected in the final negotiation outcomes. They work together on progressive climate actions that align with the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement of limiting the global average temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, increasing the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience, and making financial flows consistent with low greenhouse gas emissions pathway.

The Chair of the LDC Group under UNFCCC rotates among three regions – Francophone and Lusophone Africa, Anglophone Africa, and Asia-Pacific and the Caribbean regions. The Republic of Malawi is the chair of the LDC Group for the period 2024-2025.

Several critical challenges hinder the effective operation of the LDC Group on Climate Change. These challenges span a diverse area including the day-to-day operational management, institutional set-up, coordination, and financial management. As highlighted in the Group’s five-year strategy, addressing these challenges is pivotal to help enhance the sustainability and more coordinated efforts of the Group.

The establishment of a Permanent Secretariat has emerged as a transformative opportunity to optimize operations, distribute tasks, and fortify the Group's international engagement, building on the existing foundation for sustained and impactful climate action.

PURPOSE OF THE LDC PERMANENT SECRETARIAT

Highly recommended by the LDC Charter and aiming to strengthen the institutional structures of the LDC group, the establishment of a permanent secretariat for the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group holds immense importance in addressing the unique challenges faced by these countries. The secretariat will provide a centralized hub for coordinating and advancing the LDC Group's efforts in climate change negotiations across all thematic areas, as well as support implementation of climate actions at the national levels.

Given the importance of the permanent secretariat, the GEF 7 project is recruiting a Coordinator to support the LDC Group on Climate Chage to the effectively establish its Permanent Secretariat, and to provide support to the Chair and the Group on various key activities. The main objectives are to support:

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the LDC Chair on Climate Change, and close cooperation with the LDC Group on Climate Change, the project team in the HQ and field location, the expert will be responsible for the performance of the following main duties:

MAIN DUTIES

Concrete/

Measurable outputs to be achieved

Expected duration

(if WAE)

Establishment of the Permanent Secretariat and obtainment of the Legal status

30%