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Remote/Home-based: UNIDO Hires for Climate Innovation and Adaptation Role

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development, is announcing a call for expressions of interest for a position that offers a unique chance to influence global climate strategies. The organization is establishing a roster of highly qualified Senior Experts in Climate Innovation & Adaptation, designed to support the expansion, design, and implementation of cutting-edge projects aimed at fostering climate resilience and technological innovation worldwide.

Position Overview

Requisition ID: 5734
Grade: P5 (Senior Specialist)
Country: Home Based (Global Application)
Duty Station: Home Based
Category: International Consultant
Employment Type: Non-Staff (When Activated)
Contract Duration: 1 to 12 months
Application Deadline: 20 June 2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

This vacancy is open to internal and external candidates, with a particular encouragement for female applicants to apply, reflecting UNIDO’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive participation.

Organizational Context

UNIDO operates at the forefront of industrial development to promote economic growth, poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion. Its strategic focus aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially SDG 9, which emphasizes resilient infrastructure, inclusive industrialization, and innovation. The organization’s work spans multiple thematic areas, including creating shared prosperity, advancing competitiveness, safeguarding the environment, and strengthening knowledge and institutions.

Within UNIDO, the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS) is responsible for implementing interventions that promote environmentally friendly and innovative industrial practices. The Climate Technology Innovation Unit (CTI) is a specialized component within TCS, tasked with supporting Member States in fostering low-carbon and climate-resilient technologies, policies, and practices. The CTI Unit plays a critical role in facilitating technology transfer, market development, and innovative financing mechanisms aligned with global climate goals.

The Project Context

This roster aims to assemble a pool of senior experts capable of providing strategic technical assistance, thought leadership, and project development expertise to support UNIDO’s expanding climate innovation portfolio. These experts will contribute to various initiatives such as the Climate Adaptation Innovation and Learning (CAIL) program, which develops regional ecosystems for climate adaptation, and the Programme for Climate Adaptation and Resilience Building Solutions (PARS), which scales integrated adaptation responses through innovative technologies, policies, and capacity-building.

As climate challenges intensify, the demand for innovative solutions that combine technology, policy, finance, and community engagement continues to grow. UNIDO’s efforts focus on advancing innovation in climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience—areas that require specialized expertise and strategic foresight to develop impactful projects aligned with global and regional priorities.

Key Responsibilities and Expectations

The selected Senior Experts will be instrumental in shaping and expanding UNIDO’s climate innovation initiatives. Their core responsibilities will include:

  • Strategy Development: Lead the formulation of strategies to align UNIDO’s climate innovation projects with emerging multilateral and bilateral donor priorities, as well as country-specific needs. This involves conducting horizon scanning, analyzing donor trends, and identifying new market opportunities to ensure the organization’s initiatives remain relevant and impactful.
  • Project Design and Development: Drive the conception of innovative project ideas, prepare high-quality proposals, and develop comprehensive project frameworks. This includes integrating cutting-edge tools such as AI-enabled solutions, digital innovations, and private sector engagement strategies to enhance project outcomes.
  • Thought Leadership and Knowledge Generation: Produce policy briefs, insight reports, and strategic communication materials that highlight UNIDO’s role in climate innovation. These outputs will position UNIDO as a thought leader and attract further funding and collaborations.
  • Partnership Building and Donor Engagement: Lead efforts to identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with multilateral funds, governments, research institutions, and the private sector. Effective stakeholder engagement will be vital for resource mobilization and project scaling.
  • Project Implementation Support: Provide technical expertise during project execution, including stakeholder engagement, technical documentation, data analysis, and evidence-based decision-making. The expert will also contribute to implementing innovative components such as AI-driven climate risk assessments and nature-based solutions.
  • Development of Adaptation Strategies: Lead the formulation of climate adaptation strategies, integrating innovative financing mechanisms and digital tools to promote scalable, resilient, and sustainable industrial practices.

Qualifications and Experience

Candidates should possess an advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in fields such as environmental sciences, engineering, economics, international relations, or related disciplines. A minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in designing, managing, and leading complex international technical cooperation programs is essential.

Proven expertise in resource mobilization, strategic partnership development, and policy advisory work is required. Demonstrated ability to produce high-impact analytical and conceptual outputs, coupled with excellent communication skills, will be critical for success.

Specialized Skills and Desirable Expertise

Beyond the core requirements, the ideal candidate will have expertise in several advanced thematic areas, including but not limited to:

  • Climate adaptation financing innovations such as resilience bonds and outcome-based financing.
  • Systemic resilience modeling for industrial value chains.
  • Development of climate adaptation metrics, indices, and investability frameworks.
  • Scaling private sector climate adaptation solutions, especially from startups and SMEs.
  • Locally-led innovation ecosystems and incubation for climate resilience.
  • Use of AI, remote sensing, IoT, and blockchain for climate monitoring and adaptation.
  • Governance and regulatory frameworks supporting climate resilience.
  • Urban climate risk assessment and city-level adaptation planning.
  • Nature-based solutions and blue economy strategies.
  • Managed retreat and displacement solutions in vulnerable regions.
  • Transboundary climate risk cooperation.
  • Building climate data infrastructure and digital capacity.
  • Industrial decarbonization and climate-smart industrial transition.
  • Cross-border technology transfer, licensing, and intellectual property frameworks.
  • Climate security, conflict prevention, and resource management.
  • Integration of indigenous knowledge with technological innovation.
  • Developing climate resilience in fragile and conflict-affected states.

Language and Communication Skills

Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is mandatory. Working knowledge of additional UN languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, etc.) will be considered an advantage.

Core Values and Competencies

UNIDO emphasizes integrity, professionalism, diversity, and inclusiveness. The successful candidate will demonstrate:

  • Strong commitment to ethical work practices.
  • Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
  • Results-oriented mindset, with a focus on planning, accountability, and impact.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Innovative thinking and adaptability to evolving global climate challenges.

Joining UNIDO’s Climate Innovation Effort

This roster provides a strategic platform for senior experts to influence global climate action through innovative industrial solutions and policy advice. Selected experts will have the opportunity to contribute to high-impact projects, collaborate with international stakeholders, and support Member States in building resilient, low-carbon economies.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit their applications via the UNIDO careers portal before the deadline on June 20, 2025. The application should include a comprehensive CV detailing relevant experience, a cover letter highlighting motivation and expertise, and references supporting the candidate’s qualifications.

The UNIDO Senior Expert in Climate Innovation & Adaptation roster is an exceptional opportunity for seasoned professionals committed to addressing climate change through industrial innovation, policy, and finance. This role offers the chance to shape transformative projects that promote resilience, sustainability, and inclusive growth across the globe.

Candidates eager to make a tangible difference in the fight against climate change are encouraged to apply and join a dedicated organization working at the nexus of industry, environment, and development for a sustainable future.

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