Title: Environment and Social Safeguards Specialist

​​Requisition ID: 4064
Grade: ISA-Specialist
Country: Home Based
Duty Station: Home Based
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Contract Duration: 80 workdays over a given period
Application Deadline: 18-Jun-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 Director General, and in close collaboration with all relevant organizational entities within UNIDO, the Directorate of Corporate Services and Operations (COR), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible and accountable for the management of UNIDO’s human, financial and material resources, ensuring the capacity of the Organization to fulfil its mandate. The Directorate oversees a full range of financial, human resources, learning and staff development, procurement, information technology and general services to meet the service support needs of the Organization as a whole. Additionally, the Directorate houses the Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Unit and the Ethics and Accountability Unit as well as oversees their operations. Furthermore, the Directorate provides guidance on personnel security and safety matters and ensures the overall coordination of UNIDO’s response in this regard.

The Directorate houses the Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Unit (COR/GEW) and the Ethics and Accountability Unit (COR/EAU) as well as the following Divisions: Financial Services (COR/FIN); Human Resources Services (COR/HRS); Learning and Development Services (COR/LED); Procurement Services (COR/PRO); Asset Management and Logistics Services (COR/AML); Information Technology and Digitalization Services (COR/DIG); and Facility Management Services (COR/BMS). The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the units and services as well as with the other Directorates and Offices in UNIDO.

PROJECT CONTEXT

SAP# 230356. Ukraine: Green industrial recovery project for Ukraine through technology transfer from and the co-creation of new businesses with Japan’s private industries

The full-scale hostilities against Ukraine, starting in February 2022, has had a significant negative impact on the country’s industries and businesses, impeding its potential for inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID). In order to support the country’s industrial and economic recovery and resilience, it is critical to increase the value addition of the country’s manufacturing sector and help people access employment opportunities and generate income. Strengthening the resilience of the Ukrainian economy requires widespread dissemination of industry, along with the necessary tools and methods for value addition across the country. Moreover, aligning with Ukraine’s goal of EU accession, the economy must focus on EU compatibility, particularly in regard to environmental best practices, obtaining access to know-how and expertise, upgrading practices and processes, increasing competitiveness and value addition, and strengthening access to markets to incentivize investment. All interventions must ensure that production and products are green, energy-efficient and resource-efficient, fostering the advancement of a circular economy.

Taking into consideration the acute needs and long-term industrial recovery and development opportunities, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), as a specialized United Nations agency mandated to foster ISID, has prepared and launched a green industrial recovery programme for Ukraine 2024-2028. The programme sets out a programmatic vision for the multi-stakeholder and cross-dimensional partnership that is needed to restore Ukraine’s industry and foster sustainable industrial development.

Prior to the development of the programme, UNIDO prepared a comprehensive industrial diagnostic study, paving the way for an informed, evidence-based and data-driven approach to the Organization’s interventions. Extensive research has been conducted to extrapolate a strategic direction for the country’s future industrialization and green recovery. This assessment builds on the existing policies of the Government of Ukraine and the Ukraine Plan of the European Union (EU), identifying areas and opportunities for development and proposing solutions in response to existing challenges related to economic growth, modernization of the economic system and integration with the EU to foster recovery, reconstruction and reform at all levels (i.e. macro-, meso- and micro-level).

The project is thus developed based on the comprehensive results of the industrial diagnostics and taking into consideration the identified needs and opportunities. Recognizing the unique value addition and relevance of the UNIDO mandate, the Government of Japan has requested the Organization to support Ukraine’s industrial recovery and innovation ecosystem building through technology transfer, capacity-building and business co-creation between the private sectors of Ukraine and Japan, with the possibility of involving third party enterprises where opportune.

To this end, UNIDO will award the grant to selected Japanese companies based on their proposals of the Feasibility Study to be conducted in Ukraine.

DUTIES

The Environment and Social Safeguards Specialist will work under the general supervision and guidance of the Project Manager/PM (COR/OMD) and in close coordination with the Project Management Unit (PMU).

The Environment and Social Safeguards Specialist will perform the following duties:

REQUIRED 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.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in engineering, sciences, economics, agro-industries, industrial engineering, business administration, international relations or other relevant discipline with specialization in environmental and social safeguards is required.

Technical and Functional Experience

A minimum of 5 years relevant professional experience in methodologies necessary of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) as well as Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP) in various industrial sectors is required.

• Sound knowledge of environmental and social impact mitigation and monitoring plans is required.
• Hands-on working experience on Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) as well as Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP) in the various industrial sectors in Ukraine is desirable.
• Sound knowledge of legislation and policies that will affect the environmental and social impact management in technical cooperation projects and/or business operations in Ukraine is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency in written and spoken of other UN languages (i.e. Arabic, Spanish, French, Russian, and Chinese) is desirable. Fluency in written and spoken Ukrainian is an asset. Fluency in written and spoken Japanese is an asset.

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