Associate Technical Expert

​Requisition ID: 7208
Grade: L2
Country: Fiji
Duty Station: Suva
Category: 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: 75,942 USD
Application Deadline: 02-Apr-2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

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.

UNIDO welcomes applications from qualified persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to applicants and employees with disabilities to support full participation in the recruitment process and in the performance of their duties.

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 and hunger reduction, inclusive and fair globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013, the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019 as well as the Riyadh Declaration adopted at the twenty-first session of UNIDO General Conference in 2025, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Member States.

The relevance of this mission 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 inclusive and sustainable industrial development, however, applies to all SDGs.

The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) 2026 - 2029 is UNIDO’s core strategic document and it is in line with UNIDO’s Vision 2050. It sets a renewed vision to support Member States and shape their industries for development. The priorities include fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, renewable and clean energy, sustainable energy access and climate action. Cross-cutting priorities focus on industrial and economic policy advice, skills development, fostering digitalization and artificial intelligence, gender equality and the empowerment of women, supporting youth, promoting cleaner production and circular economy, and leveraging private sector investment and development finance.

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-related activities; and (iv) convening and fostering partnerships for knowledge and technology transfer, investment mobilization, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Sub-regional Offices and Country Offices.

The Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, ensures the Organization's application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to environment, energy, Micro, Small and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs), and digitalization. The Directorate also oversees the Organization's normative contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through industrial policy advice and capacity development. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute to effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results, scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.

The Division of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG) promotes just transitions to circular economies, reduced release of pollutants into the environment and other green industrial and economic approaches to help Member States to grow economically while simultaneously addressing the three planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It promotes circular economy policies, programmes and practices including circular business models that improve the profitability of industries while creating social and environmental benefits. It does so by supporting resource efficiency increases in the manufacturing and use of products along value chains and during the life cycle of the product; by reducing or eliminating the emission of non-fuel-related greenhouse gas emissions; and by assisting in achieving the objectives of and compliance with multilateral environmental agreements. In doing so, its activities further improve competitiveness, as well as the development of and access to markets, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. This contributes to climate-neutral, resilient, pollution-free industrial development, supporting co-existence that is in harmony with nature.

This position is located under the Circular Resource Efficiency Unit (TCS/CEG/CRE) of the Division of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG). TCS/CEG/CRE is responsible for supporting capacity development to promote the adoption of circular and resource-efficient consumption and production patterns across value chains. It fosters circular economy solutions including policies, programmes, practices, and business models that enhance industry profitability while generating social and environmental benefits. Furthermore, it facilitates design for circularity emphasizing reduced or alternative materials inputs, greater durability, reusability, reparability, and ultimately recyclability. The Unit promotes nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches that support the co-existence of industries and nature.

The incumbent will be located in Suva, Fiji under the technical supervision of UNIDO HQ Project Manager at TCS/CEG/CRE and will work closely with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

At the L2 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver: (a) work that is analytical in contributing to results achieved by the Project; (b) in creating an enabling environment for collaborative work which is catalytic to achieving results; (c) in building relationships which contributes to counterparts’ engagement and (d) in achieving results that provide baselines for a service. The measure of success is timely, consistent and appropriate delivery of results.

The UNIDO Staff Performance Management System reinforces the collaboration within formal units as well as among cross-functional teams. In this context, the incumbent collaborates with his/her supervisor and colleagues, within as well as outside the unit. Within the formal teams, the incumbent may be expected to backstop other team members as required.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Director-General and in this context all staff are expected to serve in any assignment and duty station as determined by the needs of the Organization.

Project/Programme Context

SAP ID 240010 “Promoting circular economy and resource efficiency practices in plastic value chains in Fiji”

This project will contribute to Fiji’s green, inclusive and sustainable growth through the promotion of circular economy and resource efficiency practices for private sector actors in plastic value chains while mitigating the impact of plastic pollution and climate change as well as contributing to the implementation of the 20-Year National Development Plan of Fiji.

This will be achieved through (i) the support to the Government to set up an enabling environment to promote circular economy practices in the private sector in the single-use plastic value chains, and (ii) the support to the private sector to improve or strengthen their sustainable resource efficient production and consumption. The latter will be done by applying circular economy principles and practices, strengthening symbiosis by connecting actors along value chains so that the value embodied in products and material will remain within the economy and society instead of being leaked out of the economy to the environment as waste.

As a result, the chances that plastics and other wastes (or resources) are leaked out to the environment including the marine environment will be reduced, while creating opportunities to grow existing and generate new and greener businesses and jobs.

Main Responsibilities

The Associate Technical Expert works under the overall guidance and the direct supervision of the Project Manager at UNIDO HQ, TCS/CEG/CRE, in close cooperation with the colleagues of the project team, in particular with the National Project Coordinator (NPC) in Fiji, to successfully deliver the expected results of the project. She/he will be responsible for providing technical and administrative support to the NPC for the smooth and timely execution of projects and be accountable for the achievement of project results as/if assigned. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assist the Project Manager and the National Project Coordinator (NPC) in Fiji to execute and monitor implementation of the project activities and services, ensuring that assigned inputs are delivered on time at the right level of quality and within the allocated budget.
• Prepare necessary inputs (consultant job descriptions, terms of reference, training arrangements, equipment specifications, etc.), monitoring progress in implementation, including if required missions to project site(s), as well as take part in oversight meetings, and assist the NPC.
• Manage external relations by maintaining close relationships with all stakeholders involved in the project, including government institutions and international entities, locally based donor institutions, international financial institutions and regional development banks, the private sector, civil society and academia to establish collaborations and synergies in close cooperation with the NPC.
• Support advocacy, communication and global forum activities related to the progamme/project and aimed at strengthening public relations, including the preparation of promotional materials, organization of media events, dissemination of information on the project activities through UNIDO/project website and network of UNIDO offices.
• Prepare progress reports in cooperation with the NPC and keep the donor informed of project progress through regular meetings.
• Contribute to the preparation of steering committee meetings (SCs) for the project, including organizing meetings/briefing; preparing relevant background documents analyse them.
• Identify and liaise with Japanese companies that are interested in having business in Fiji or investing in Fiji on plastic circular economy practices, in cooperation with Investment Fiji and UNIDO ITPO Tokyo to ensure successful delivery of pilot circular economy practices demonstration in Fiji, possibly utilizing Japanese technology.
• In line with the guidelines and procedures governing the technical cooperation activities of UNIDO, formulate technical cooperation projects/ programme related to the interest of the potential donors, and the Government of Fiji, and within the mandate of the Division/Unit.
• Perform other related duties and assignments as required.

Core Values and 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 requirements and desirable criteria

Education

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in environment, economics, international relations, engineering, public policy, or in a closely related field with environment / circular economy or any other disciplines relevant to UNIDO mandate, is required.

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) or a Doctorate in the same fields are accepted with a reduced requirement for years of professional experience.

Experience, technical knowledge and functional expertise

A minimum of professional experience aligned with the educational level is required, as follows:

• First‑level university degree (Bachelor’s): at least 6 years of relevant professional experience
• Advanced university degree (Master’s): at least 3 years of relevant professional experience
• Doctorate: at least 1 year of relevant professional experience
• Working experience, including some at the international environment, in project execution or coordination, particularly in the areas of environment, circular economy, and/or sustainable economic development, is required.
• Experience working with Japanese companies and/ or Japanese institutions and familiar with business culture of Japanese companies or institutions is required.
• Experience evaluating needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, and in technical cooperation projects in the Small Island States / the South Pacific Islands, or similar contexts in the region, is desirable.
• Knowledge or experience in promoting plastic circular economy as well as technical and technological options for plastic circular economy practices is desirable.
• Knowledge or experience in promoting Japanese technology or circular economy practices is desirable.

Language Skills

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

NOTE:
For further information on salaries, refer to the International Civil Service Commission website: https://icsc.un.org/

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: recruitment@unido.org