Title: Sustainable Energy and Transport Expert

​Requisition ID: 6174
Grade: ISA-NOC
Country: Côte d'Ivoire
Duty Station: Abidjan
Category: National Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 12 months
Application deadline: 24-Sep-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Only nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are considered eligible.
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 Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA) 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, 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 Sustainable and Just Energy Transitions Unit (TCS/ECA/JET) focuses on promoting energy for development and leveraging technology innovation and social inclusion to lead a just energy transition. It promotes the modernization of energy infrastructure to drive decoupling growth from emissions and deploys de-risking approaches to channel public and private investments to accelerate energy access and industrial development. It supports Members States in building and diversifying renewable energy supply chains and fostering manufacturing capabilities to achieve a just energy transition for all. The unit also supports the integration of energy system design into the wider development objectives and helps countries navigate the trade-offs for energy development while ensure compliance with social and environmental norms. Finally, the Unit coordinates the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres and related partnerships and uses regional policies and approaches to achieve economies of scale.

This position is also located under the Division of Regional Bureaus and Field Offices (GLO/RFO) which coordinates the field representation and interventions of UNIDO in Member States and regions. Within this context, the Division is responsible for determining programmatic priorities for UNIDO's services and ensuring that UNIDO responds to the specific needs and requirements of Member States and development partners at the country and regional levels. It facilitates, upon guidance of GLO/FLS, the development of regional strategies, country programmes (including Programmes for Country Partnership - PCPs) and monitors their implementation. The Division encompasses all the UNIDO field offices and the five Regional Bureaus: Africa (GLO/RFO/AFR), also hosting the IDDA III Secretariat; the Arab Region (GLO/RFO/ARB); Asia and the Pacific (GLO/RFO/ASP); Europe and Central Asia (GLO/RFO/EUR); and Latin American and the Caribbean (GLO/RFO/LAC). The UNIDO Cote d’Ivoire Field Office functions are to: Represent UNIDO as an effective partner for sustainable industrial development, maintaining close contact with governments, development partners, coordination and implementing agencies, private sector associations, chambers of industry and commerce, and stakeholders in industrial development and local donors; Represent UNIDO's technical competence and play an active role in the UN Country Team (UNCTs); In collaboration with TCS/CPS, monitor industrial policy design and implementation in Cote d‘Ivoire and develop industrial policy support services. Use industrial policies – including those supported by UNIDO – for country programme (including PCP) design; Upon request and in line with regional strategies, develops and implements the Cote d’Ivoire Programme for Country Partnership (PCP); Implements and supports the implementation of selected technical cooperation activities upon approval by the respective Office of the Managing Director of TCS or IET; For specific donors, including the GEF, upon request of a government and the agreement of the donor, assume a supporting role for the Executing Entity for projects in the country of coverage under the supervision of the relevant technical function (the Implementing Entity) at UNIDO Headquarters.

PROJECT CONTEXT

“Integration of electric mobility with renewable energy solutions in Côte d'Ivoire” (SAP ID 200103; GEF ID 11042)

The project is an integral part of the Sustainable Energy component of the PCP Côte d’Ivoire. The main objective of the PCP Côte d’Ivoire is to contribute to the creation of a diversified and competitive industrial economy and thus contribute to the strategic objectives established by the National Development Plan. The preliminary components of the PCP Côte d’Ivoire were formulated with the intention to comprise wider arrays of activities for a greater-scale impact and achievement of overarching development objectives. The PCP Côte d’Ivoire will provide technical support, industrial policy advice, standard setting and investment mobilization opportunities to the government of Côte d’Ivoire. It aims to induce genuine industrial development, by creating synergies at the level of development partners as part of their support for the Ivorian Government’s development initiatives, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular Goal Nº 9. The aim of the PCP Côte d’Ivoire will therefore be to forge strategic partnerships around the industrial sector, particularly with the private sector and certain donors, to better articulate the country’s priority value chains, ensure investments with an impact on growth and development and improve access to knowledge, industrial skills, expertise and financial and technological capital, support the country in increasing its resilience to climate change and facilitate access to sustainable energy for its population and the private sector.

The project aims to accelerate the adoption of an integrated renewable energy-based electric transport system, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support economic activities in peri-urban areas in Côte d'Ivoire. The project will develop an enabling environment for the introduction and accelerated uptake of e-mobility with a special focus on productive use, pilot several integrated, sustainable and renewable energy-based transport solutions, and provide awareness and outreach of the experiences and programs that are developed. The pilots will particularly focus on small-format vehicles – e-bikes, e2Ws and e3Ws for productive use. One proposed pilot would additionally provide experience with light e-vehicles (LEVs) to begin Côte d’Ivoire’s pathway with this electric vehicle type also. The proposed work will also include the development of a study to identify potential of localizing value chains for the different types of E-vehicles as well as for the charging infrastructure.

The project target areas are Greater Abidjan (including Banco Park, Réserve Naturel Dahlia Fleur and the town of Jacqueville), Yamoussoukro (including Kossou), Bouaké, Korhogo, San Pédro and Odienné. The project’s main beneficiaries are the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and relevant institutions, local municipalities, research institutions, local clusters, farmers active in the agri-food sector, fishermen and fish processors, with specific targeting of participation by women entrepreneurs and youth within these groups.

The project will promote the development of the target locations (including the special requirements of rural and peri-urban areas) by improving the mobility of people and goods through the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs), that are mainly charged using renewable electricity, are primarily used for productive use in activities in Côte d’Ivoire, and additionally where the incorporation of cold chain handling equipment is expected to provide added benefit.

The project will support the Government of Côte d’Ivoire in addressing the main barriers for the transition to electric mobility and will provide technical assistance for the installation of a network of EV charging stations in Abidjan, Bouaké, Korhogo and Odienné. The aim is to increase access to sustainable energy and services and/or a greater engagement in productive activities by the local population, through enabling income-generating activities.

The project will address existing and expected barriers to the introduction and uptake of e-mobility through four project components:

Strengthening the institutional framework and financial mechanisms to promote electric mobility in Cote d’Ivoire

The activities under this component will support various Technical Assistance packages: the development of supporting e-mobility policy, including the development of technical guidelines and standards, tax policy, and proposals for financial incentives; the development of mechanisms for financially challenged parties to gain access to e-mobility; and conducting studies to generate data and information that will support these tasks.

Demonstration of e-mobility technologies and charging infrastructure

This component aims at filling gaps in local knowledge that might present barriers to the uptake of e-mobility, as well as to validate different business models for the uptake of e-mobility for productive use. Piloting will be supported by monitoring, evaluation, reporting and verification, aimed at robustly capturing the information and experiences gained for later dissemination. Where practicable, the project will also demonstrate the coupling of the use and charging of electric vehicles with the supply of electricity.

Capacity building and awareness raising

aimed at planning and starting the process of developing the capacity of the local market to support the uptake of e-mobility in Côte d’Ivoire, starting the transition of Côte d’Ivoire to a position of “EV readiness”; enhancement of in-country knowledge base, technical skills and awareness as well as will assess the opportunities for localizing value chains of electric vehicles and renewable powered charging stations; supporting the government fleet by EVs will significantly contribute to awareness raising in the public.

Monitoring, learning and evaluation

The project aims to produce social, environmental and economic benefits through the reduction of operational costs, reduced local pollution levels, and improved quality and access to mobility services for lower income commuters. An efficient transport system using e-mobility solutions could support local production, facilitate timely distribution of farm inputs and products, reduce post-harvest losses and ensure a vibrant food system.

The project will demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of e-mobility infrastructure, strengthen institutional capacities and create incentives for investment in low-carbon transportation infrastructure and vehicles. The solutions will increase accessibility of pilot sites while generating important spillover effects such as employment opportunities and enhanced access to services.

Through these interventions, the project aims to reduce GHG emissions, enhance access to sustainable energy and services, promote income-generating activities, and strengthen the connectivity of rual and peri-urban to urban market. The key components include:

Component 1: Strengthening the institutional framework and financial mechanisms to promote electric mobility in Cote d’Ivoire.

Component 2: Demonstration of e-mobility technologies and charging infrastructure

Component 3: Capacity building and awareness raising

Component 4: Monitoring, learning and evaluation

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and close cooperation with 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)

Location

Project Coordination and Implementation

Advise the Project Manager in preparing detailed work plan and budget, design monitoring and evaluation tool for the project activities;

Coordinate the execution of all activities leading to the successful implementation of the project in the country, including implementation, quality control and monitoring of all project activities in the country;

Liaise with government counterparts, provide regular updates, financial reports and troubleshot problems as required;

Attend key meetings related to the project and act as the focal point of the project at national level;