Communications Administrator: Climate Adaptation Innovation

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.

Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all relevant organizational entities within UNIDO, 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 Directorate is responsible for the Division of Industrial Policy Advice and Capacity Development (TCS/IPC), and technical Divisions of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG), Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA), Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP); MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI). Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, TCS collaborates closely with IET to develop and implement programmes and projects, aiming at enhancing synergy and complementarity and maximizing UNIDO corporate performance and impacts on the ground. The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in all Directorates across the Organization.

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 Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP) assists Member States in the emergence, deployment, and large-scale up-take of solutions for low carbon and climate resilient industrialization. The division promotes system innovation approach to achieve transformational change in climate change by innovating across key levers of change including technology, finance, policy, and regulation.

The Division is responsible for the dual mandate of accelerating innovation and building climate innovation ecosystems to promote low-carbon and climate-resilient industrialization; and planning, developing and implementing interventions to facilitate compliance with the Montreal Protocol and, in particular, its Kigali Amendment and to support countries in achieving their NDCs. In addition, the Division is responsible, in close collaboration with other relevant entities of the Organization, for facilitating the transfer of innovative low-carbon and climate adaptation solutions and building markets to ensure their widespread use by industry and local communities, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience in recipient countries. It collaborates closely on relevant and converging issues with TCS/CEG, TCS/ECA and IET/CTP.

The position is located under the Climate Technology Innovation Unit (TCS/CMP/CTI) under the supervision of the Head. The Unit is responsible for supporting Member States in fostering innovation across technologies, finance, policy and regulation to promote the emergence, deployment and large-scale up-take of low-carbon and climate adaptation solutions and business practices. In addition, the Unit is responsible, in close collaboration with other relevant entities in the Organization, for facilitating the transfer of and establishing markets for low-carbon and climate adaptation solutions, ensuring wide use by industry and local communities, thereby contributing to climate mitigation, adaptation and building resilience in recipient countries. The Unit positions UNIDO strategically in the global discourse on climate technology innovation support and acts as the focal point in UNIDO for partnership with the technology mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

PROJECT CONTEXT

The Programme for Innovation in Climate Adaptation and Resilience-Building Solutions (PARS) - Global Coordination Child Project is implemented under the broader PARS, a flagship initiative designed to catalyse climate adaptation in Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), led by UNIDO in collaboration with key international and local partners, PARS seeks to strengthen institutional, financial, and innovation ecosystems to accelerate the deployment and scaling of climate adaptation and resilience-building solutions led by the private sector.

In parallel to six National Child Projects - Malawi, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Somalia, Madagascar, and Angola - that implement country-specific interventions, the PARS Global Coordination Child Project acts as a global coordination hub, designed to amplify the impact of national initiatives by creating and disseminating globally standardised tools, methodologies, and financial mechanisms.

The PARS Global Coordination Child Project catalyses climate adaptation in LDCs by strengthening the enabling environment, expanding access to finance to both MSME and the most vulnerable, providing knowledge and climate-related data, and supporting MSME-led adaptation and resilience- building solutions, by addressing specific barriers, through a systematic cross-cutting approach structured around five interlinked Project Components (PCs):

PC1: Creating a Conducive Policy and Regulatory Environment to Stimulate the Development and Deployment of Innovative Climate Adaptation and Resilience Building Solutions PC1 aims to strengthen legal and regulatory ecosystems in the National Child Projects countries by developing inclusive, gender-responsive methodologies and tools tailored to national needs. All methodologies follow the Human-Centered Design (HCD) approach to ensure participatory and context-sensitive planning, aligning interventions with the priorities of local communities and end-users.

Outcome 1.1.Policy and regulatory environment strengthened to stimulate development and deployment of innovative climate adaptation and resilience building solutions

Output 1.1.1.Global, gender-responsive policy review and recommendation framework established and applied across PARS partner countries to accelerate climate adaptation and resilience-building innovation

Activity 1.1.1.2Disseminate the PARS Gender-Responsive policy review and recommendation framework for Adaptation Innovation Policy and Regulatory Assessment to the PARS Partner Countries:

This activity disseminates the PARS Gender-Responsive Global Methodology for Adaptation Innovation Policy and Regulatory Assessment and its sector-specific guidelines to all National PMUs, and, where possible, experts identified by the National PMUs, with at least 50% women and at least 20% youth of all genders. This activity will disseminate the PARS Gender-Responsive Global Methodology and its sector-specific guidelines to all National PMUs and, where possible, their Subcontractors. These actors will apply the tools within National Child Projects to assess and improve gender-responsive policy and regulatory frameworks for adaptation, with a focus on MSMEs. While the methodology offers technical guidance, its contextual application will be led by National PMUs through country-specific assessments and reforms. To support this, UNIDO will develop digital training materials, including structured guides and case studies. These will be delivered through a two-day virtual workshop and a webinar, ensuring accessibility across time zones. Sessions will include interactive discussions on applying the methodology and address challenges in regulatory assessment. At least 18 participants will be targeted, with inclusion goals of at least 50% women and at least 20% youth of all genders. All materials, including recordings, will be made available via the PARS Web Platform. If feasible, in-person dissemination will be reinforced during Annual PARS Events (PC4). Following the training, a summary blogpost will highlight participation, key insights, and feedback. Lessons from training implementation and methodology use will inform revisions to enhance relevance and usability across partner countries. This activity is expected to strengthen the capacity of National PMUs and Subcontractors to deliver national-level trainings, apply the methodology, and foster inclusive, gender-responsive policy development. Key deliverables include a digital training package and one blogpost. All outputs will reflect gender and youth inclusion and comply with PARS communication guidelines.

PC2: Developing and Deploying Innovative Climate Adaptation and Resilience-Building Solutions PC2 empowers MSMEs to develop and deploy innovative climate solutions by addressing barriers such as limited institutional support, poor access to finance, and gender-exclusion. It delivers global training tools, acceleration models, and facilitates MSME engagement through innovation challenges and networking events. It also promotes the establishment of Centers of Excellence to support knowledge transfer and the scaling of successful approaches across the programme.

Outcome 2.1.Enhanced Development and Deployment of Innovative Climate Adaptation and Resilience-Building Solutions by MSMEs with a Focus on Gender Equity and Environmental/Social Sustainability

Output 2.1.3Strategic innovation recognition events implemented to connect 120 MSMEs with investors and challenge owners focused on urgent climate adaptation needs

Activity 2.1.3.1Design the Global Innovation Recognition Event Framework

This activity will develop a framework to guide the planning and execution of four Global Innovation Recognition Events. Designed in Y1 by the Global PCU with input from strategic partners (e.g., PFAN, CTCN, ASAP), the framework will draw on UNIDO’s experience with innovation competitions and lessons from Climate-KIC’s MSME Community of Practice. Events will prioritize MSMEs with scalable, inclusive, and gender-responsive adaptation solutions in the WEFA sectors. Selection criteria will include: technology readiness, adaptation impact, innovation, cost-effectiveness, alignment with national plans (e.g., NAPs, NDCs), and financial viability. Strategic partnerships with accelerators, investors, and development actors will ensure events are impactful and aligned with adaptation goals. The key deliverable of this activity is the Global Innovation Recognition Event Framework Document, outlining the structure, guidelines, selection criteria, and implementation plans for the events. All content will integrate gender and youth inclusion and follow PARS Communication Internal Guidelines.

Outcome 2.2Increased Resilience of Vulnerable Communities Achieved Through the Deployment of Adaptation and Resilience-Building Solutions

Output 2.2.2Gender-Responsive operational strategy developed for regional Centres of Excellence to serve as hubs for technology transfer and institutional capacity-building

Activity 2.2.2.1Develop a Gender-Responsive Strategy for Centres of Excellence

This activity will develop a gender-responsive strategy to operationalize Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in PARS Partner Countries as regional hubs for adaptation technology transfer and capacity building. Rather than establishing new institutions, it will build on existing centres—such as research institutes and innovation platforms—with technical credibility and regional relevance in climate-priority sectors like water, agriculture, and energy. A global review of existing CoEs, including UNIDO’s own initiatives (e.g. GN-SEC, Green Industry Platform), will inform the design. Lessons on multi-stakeholder engagement, gender equity, TRL alignment, and sustainability will guide the strategy. Extensive stakeholder consultations—including gender agencies, tech experts, National PMUs, and vulnerable groups—will ensure local relevance and address barriers faced by women, youth, and marginalized actors. The strategy will define: i) roles of CoEs in promoting South-South and triangular cooperation, and facilitating knowledge exchange and technology diffusion tailored to local needs; ii) inclusive governance models and gender-responsive programming, ensuring that women, youth, and marginalized groups benefit equitably; iii) partnership modalities with national institutions, MSMEs, and private sector actors to align CoE activities with national adaptation goals and market opportunities; iii)) linkages to the global PARS community of practice and digital platforms for replication and peer learning. The strategy will be developed through a participatory process, engaging gender experts, MSME support professionals, and local accelerator representatives, and will reflect country-specific needs. Consultations will also involve National PMUs and vulnerable groups to ensure the model is responsive, inclusive, and practical for LDC contexts. The activity will be executed by UNIDO during Y1 of the project. The expected deliverables for this activity include a comprehensive Gender-Responsive Strategy for Centres of Excellence and documentation of the stakeholder consultation process, capturing key insights and recommendations that support the developed strategy.

Activity 2.2.2.2Disseminate the Gender-Responsive Strategy to PARS Partner Countries

This activity will disseminate the Gender-Responsive Strategy for Centres of Excellence (CoEs), developed under Activity 2.2.2.1, to support its adoption in PARS Partner Countries. The dissemination will target the Somalia National PMU and selected national stakeholders involved in establishing a CoE under the Somalia Child Project—currently the only country planning to operationalise a CoE within PARS. A virtual training and webinar will provide practical guidance on governance structures, operational models, capacity-building approaches, and technology transfer pathways. Case studies from existing CoEs will be presented to foster peer learning and discussion. The training will engage at least four participants, with at least 50% women and at least 20% youth of all genders as targets. All materials, including the strategy and templates, will be uploaded to the PARS Web Platform to ensure continued access. The dissemination will be developed through a participatory process, engaging gender experts, MSME support professionals, and local accelerator representatives, and will reflect country-specific needs. Structured feedback will be collected during the webinar to inform refinements to the strategy, ensuring its practical applicability.A blogpost will document the session, feedback, and lessons learned. This activity will be executed by UNIDO in Y2. All deliverables will ensure gender and youth inclusion, adhering to PARS Communication Internal Guidelines.

PC3: Development of Flexible Innovative Financial Instruments for Climate Adaptation and Resilience Building Solutions PC3 supports increased access to finance for MSMEs and vulnerable communities by developing adaptable financial instruments. Through partnerships with global Communities of Practice, it identifies financing gaps, supports the design of public-private collaboration models, and equips stakeholders with practical tools to mobilize and deploy inclusive adaptation finance.

PC4: Coordination, Knowledge Management and Learning Approaches Enhanced PC4 strengthens cross-country learning, programmatic coherence, and global visibility through systematic knowledge management and communication. It facilitates the aggregation and analysis of adaptation impacts across all PARS countries, supports the development of evidence-based policy recommendations, and ensures that knowledge products are inclusive, accessible, and aligned with GEF’s Knowledge Management Policy.

Outcome 4.1Strengthened Collaboration and Informed Decision-Making for Effective Climate Adaptation and Resilience Innovation

Output 4.1.1Programme-Level Internal Guidelines at the Global Level developed and implemented, disseminated to PARS Partner Countries for enhanced programmatic coherence

Activity 4.1.1.1Develop the PARS Internal Guidelines

This activity will establish standardized internal guidelines to ensure programmatic coherence across PARS Partner Countries while allowing for local adaptation. The guidelines will provide practical direction on governance, communication, monitoring, and reporting, and help National PMUs align with PARS goals. PARS Internal Guidelines will include: Introduction to PARS; Programme roles and responsibilities; Global Advisory Board and Project Steering Committees (PSCs); Communication protocol with National PMUs; Support available from the Global Coordination Project; Using the PARS Web Platform; Gender sensitization and mainstreaming in PARS; Environmental and Social Management Risk management; Data protection; Stakeholder engagement; Impact monitoring (Outcome 4.2); M&E and reporting requirements; Branding and marketing of PARS; FAQs. The guidelines will also include templates, checklists, and decision-making frameworks tailored to PARS objectives. These will be compiled in Y1 of the project, during the project inception phase, by UNIDO to provide a foundational resource for subsequent programme implementation. It will ensure the integration of gender and youth inclusion perspectives, use gender-responsive, inclusive language and media.

Activity 4.1.1.2Disseminate and Train National PMUs on Internal Guidelines

This activity will support National PMUs to apply the PARS Internal Guidelines effectively. Virtual training sessions will be organised in Y1, targeting at least 18 participants (three per country, with at least 50% women and at least 20% youth of all genders). Sessions will cover governance, communication, reporting, and adaptation of the guidelines to national contexts. Annual virtual refreshers will foster continued alignment, learning, and exchange of practices. Materials will be uploaded to the PARS Web Platform for continuous access. Deliverables of this activity training materials and blogpost on training events. All deliverables will ensure the integration of gender and youth inclusion perspectives, use gender-responsive, inclusive language and media that adhere to PARS Communication Internal Guidelines. All deliverables will be uploaded on the PARS Web Platform for National PMUs accessibility.

Output 4.1.2Programme-level Knowledge Management, Communication, and Advocacy Action Plan Developed and Implemented at the Global Level, Disseminated to PARS Partner Countries to Facilitate Effective Communication and Advocacy Efforts

Activity 4.1.2.1Develop a Knowledge Management, Communication, and Advocacy Action Plan

This activity will develop a structured action plan for sharing knowledge and communicating PARS impacts. The plan will outline knowledge management systems, outreach strategies, and advocacy pathways. At a minimum the action plan is envisaged to integrate:i)Knowledge Management Mechanisms: Guidelines for collecting and organising information from PARS National Child Projects; ii) Communication Strategies: Tailored approaches for engaging diverse audiences, including gender-responsive and youth-inclusive messaging; iii) Advocacy Framework: Steps to showcase locally led innovations at international events and foster global recognition of PARS contributions; iv) Alignment with GEF Policies: Ensuring compliance with GEF Knowledge Management and Advocacy Standards. The Knowledge Management, Communication, and Advocacy Action Plan will be developed in Y1 by the Global PCU and will draw on best practices from UNIDO and GEF. It will be developed through a participatory process and reflect country-specific needs. It will integrate of gender and youth inclusion perspectives, use gender-responsive, inclusive language and media that adhere to PARS Communication Internal Guidelines.

Output 4.1.3Web Platform Established and Operationalised at the Global level, Serving as a Centralized Open-Source Hub to Coordinate and Consolidate Operations Related to Innovative Adaptation and Resilience Building Solutions Across PARS Partner Countries

Activity 4.1.3.1Design and Develop the PARS Web Platform

The PARS Web Platform will function as an open-source, centralized hub to coordinate programme operations, share resources, and promote uptake of adaptation solutions across PARS Partner Countries. It will support both internal coordination among the Global PCU and National PMUs and external engagement with MSMEs, financial institutions, and policymakers. Built for transparency, accessibility, and local adaptability, the platform will enable real-time tracking, peer learning, and integration with other digital systems. It will be open-source, interoperable, and designed to support regional contributions and replication. This activity will establish the open-source, user-friendly platform (e.g., vi