Date: National Technical Officer – Hydrogen

​Requisition ID: 4783
Grade: NOC
Country: Brazil
Duty Station: Brasilia
Category: Project-funded 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: 358,538 BRL
Application Deadline: 20-Nov-2024, 11:59 PM (CET)

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.

This position is located under the Climate and Technology partnerships division (IET/CTP). The CTP Division promotes and paves the road for the engagement with Member States, the private and finance sector, research, experts and innovation platforms, IGOs and other relevant entities and stakeholders, in the development of strategic partnerships on climate and technology. Through the collaboration with a wide range of external partners and organizational entities within UNIDO, the Division supports Member States in their pathway to net zero and accelerate economic transformation.

The focus of the Division 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’s Global Partnership for Hydrogen in Industry and its related hydrogen programme; and represent UNIDO in relevant high-level policy discussions and fora. Furthermore, the Division will facilitate knowledge management and exchange, support UNIDO’s global forum activities associated to climate and technology innovation; and coordinate high-level events.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Partnership for Net Zero Industry (SAP 230085)

The Partnership for Net Zero Industry aims to provide technical assistance to first mover industrializing developing countries willing to leapfrog and switch to less-carbon intensive production methods of steel, cement and concrete to meet net zero target by 2050. The Partnership will support the relevant ministries in partner countries in tackling the dual challenge of ensuring industrialization and economic growth while at the same time reducing industry related GHG emissions. It will do so by working with wide range of national and international stakeholders, including government authorities, industry players, financing institutions, solution providers, thinktank and research institutions to address decarbonization challenges that exist at the global, national and company levels. The ultimate goal of the programme is to trigger and enable substantial investment in decarbonization solutions through international collaboration and partnerships.

The Partnership for Net Zero Industry will work to:

Tailored Planning & Policy Support: Support the development of national transformation pathways in developing countries and emerging economies to a climate neutral industry by 2050. This entails an assessment of steel and cement industries, identification of technology options and decarbonization pathways, supporting the adoption of medium- and long-term targets for reducing GHG emissions and the development of specific policy instruments and incentive schemes to encourage uptake of decarbonization technologies. This will also include providing support to policy makers with planning for necessary infrastructure as well as supporting the countries with setting up measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) frameworks for industrial sector GHG emissions to enable better policy planning and decision-making.

Technology Collaboration & Pipeline Development: Facilitate technology collaboration and prepare a pipeline of feasible decarbonization solutions for deployment within steel, cement and concrete manufacturers in partner countries. Following a call for proposals, companies will be supported to prepare pre-feasibility studies and they will be further linked to available financing opportunities. The Programme will support technology solutions packages aiming to improve overall system efficiency, material efficiency, process change and improvements, use of renewable sources for heating, electrification of heating, the use of low-emission hydrogen and carbon capture storage and/or utilization.

Global Convening, Coordination & Knowledge Sharing: Foster dialogue, international collaboration and global industry-wide knowledge sharing on industry decarbonization solutions, experiences, and lessons learned. Governments and industries in developing countries need more information on the technology options available for decarbonization, including respective opportunities, processes, costs and other parameters. The Partnership will work on developing and widely disseminating such targeted knowledge products as well as tools, guidelines, templates and methodologies through a dedicated knowledge-sharing platform. It will also facilitate North-South and South-South cooperation to foster accelerated diffusion and commercialization of applicable technologies.

This project is based on Component 2 ‘Technology Collaboration & Pipeline Development’ of the Partnership for Net Zero Industry, under the contribution of the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero. The project aims to deliver support at the company level and to develop an initial list of feasible industry decarbonization technology solutions for chemicals, steel, cement and concrete industries, to develop bankable proposals for financing. The decarbonization solutions that will be supported include, but are not limited to, technology solution packages aiming at improving overall systems efficiency, material efficiency, process change and improvements, use of renewable sources of energy for heating, electrification of heating and carbon capture storage and/or utilization. In addition, the project will further support use of low-emission hydrogen technologies for the production and local application.

The project will increase awareness at global level on the potential role of low-emission hydrogen in reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change and positioning hydrogen as a key component of the sustainable energy transition. The project outcome is comprised of three outputs: preparing an initial pipeline of proposals for low-emission hydrogen (Output 2.1); developing a pipeline of investment-ready proposals for low-emission hydrogen (Output 2.2); and mobilising and coordinating international assistance to support the production and utilization of low-emission hydrogen. (Output 2.3).

The identified project outputs will contribute to establishing a hydrogen project implementation assistance facility and mobilizing international assistance to support the establishment of the UK-Brazil hydrogen hub. This support entails knowledge transfer, identification and monitoring of projects and capacity building with the aim to contribute to develop the low-emission hydrogen sector in Brazil.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The National Technical Officer works under the direct supervision of the Chief, Climate and Technology Partnership Division; close cooperation with the Hydrogen Development Officer and project team in the HQ and UNIDO Regional Office in Brazil. She/he will be responsible for providing technical support to the execution of the project. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Development and implementation of the UK-Brazil Hydrogen Hub

• Assume responsibility for the UK-Brazil Hydrogen Hub workplan and relevant technical execution services.
• Support the development and delivery of the workplan of the UK-Brazil Hydrogen Hub to ensure consistency with Brazil’s national priorities and programmes.
• Organize and conduct technical briefings on the Hydrogen hub for the country, sub-regional aspects, resources and development towards maximizing the Hub performance level.
• Undertake on-site project visits as required to ensure programme delivery.
• Support the preparation of UNIDO Secretariat meetings and administrative support relevant to the UK-Brazil Hydrogen Hub.
• Identify opportunities and activities where the Partnership for Net-Zero Industry Technology Collaboration & Pipeline Development can align with and enhance the delivery of the Hydrogen Hub workplan.
• Undertakes on-site project visits as enquired to ensure smooth programme delivery.
• Assist the NPO in coordinating and aligning the activities of the Industry Decarbonization and Hydrogen Hubs to ensure synergies and effective delivery across both Hubs.

Concrete/measurable outputs to be achieved

• Project activities implemented in close collaboration with national counterparts at a high standard and with results-based approach.
• Workplan for UK-Brazil hydrogen hub prepared and submitted.
• Effective liaison with government counterpart in Brazil established.
• Meeting minutes template filled and sent to PMs following every meeting.

Coordination with key partners

• Support priority areas and projects for the implementation of Brazil’s National Hydrogen Programme (PNH2) and thematic areas on R&D, hydrogen hubs and infrastructure, generating demand signals for low-emission hydrogen and derivative green industrial products and finance and incentive design.
• Coordinate and liaise with Brazilian and UK firms to map potential RD&D projects in line with the priority areas of the Brazilian Government.
• Establish partnerships with universities and research and technology organizations between UK and Brazil.
• Shortlist opportunities for Brazil-UK research and innovation partnerships.
• Identify assistance to be fulfilled by an accelerator or incubator programme, map potential opportunities for industrial decarbonization and low-emission hydrogen clusters in Brazil.
• Establish benchmark and best practices on innovation in the area of low-emission hydrogen production in Brazil, the region and in global scale.

Concrete/measurable outputs to be achieved

• Partnership with key partners of the project strengthened.
• Stakeholder engagement strategy completed and best practices disseminated through identified appropriate media.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Support the development of the project progress report in line with the priority areas of the UK-Brazil hydrogen hub as specified in the workplan.
• Maintain records of project handover notes with deliverables, documents, files, equipment and materials that are part of the project.
• Prepare ad-hoc project reports upon request of the project manager, the donor and/or counterparts.
• Support the NPO in the development of the project progress report compared to the planned Hydrogen Hub indicators.
• Performs other related duties and assignments as required by Project Manager at UNIDO HQ and the UCR in Brazil.
• Provide relevant support when needed to the MME at the MME office in person.

Concrete/measurable outputs to be achieved

• Project progress report developed and submitted.
• Final project report produced.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education

University degree in economics, engineering, sciences, energy, environment, business administration, or other relevant discipline is required.

Technical and Functional Experience

• At least five (5) years of professional experience in coordinating the development of projects at national level, is required.
• Experience in evaluating the needs conditions and understanding the context of Brazil and/or the region is required.
• Experience/knowledge of other development agencies donor communities, private sectors, government and relevant institutions in the country, or in the region is desirable.
• Experience in building partnerships and coordination networks is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of Portuguese is required.

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.

NOTE:

UNIDO General Service applicants are required to be at least at the GS-5 level; to have served in their current position for at least two years; and to have served in UNIDO for at least five years.

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 careers site for details on how to apply: https://careers.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: [email protected]