Requisition ID: 7637
Grade: ISA-NOB
Country: Mexico
Duty Station: Mexico City
Category: National Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Contract Duration: 180 days over a 9-month period
Application deadline: 31-Jul-2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)
Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Only nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are considered eligible.
Female candidates are 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.
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 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 to a greater or lesser extent to all SDGs.
The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) is UNIDO’s core strategic document. As the Organization moves from the 2022–2025 cycle to the 2026–2029 MTPF, it sets a renewed vision to support Member States shape their industries for development. The new priorities include renewable and clean energy, sustainable access and climate action, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, and fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains. 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 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, Sub-regional Offices and Country Offices.
The Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS) 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.
The position is located under the Division of Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP) and Montreal Protocol Unit (TCS/CMP/MPU). TCS/CMP/MPU acts as focal point in UNIDO for the multilateral agreement on the ozone layer protection and assist governments in the creation of policy environment and implementation mechanisms in the context of the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment. The Unit is responsible for the planning, development and implementation of activities in Member States to facilitate compliance with the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment and to support countries to achieve their NDCs.
PROJECT CONTEXT
The Government of Mexico was the first country to have approved Stages I and II of the HCFC phase-out management plan (HPMP). This plan contemplated a reduction in HCFC consumption of 10% by 2015, 35% by 2018, 50% by 2020, and 67.5% by 2022. Stage I of the plan (HPMP I) ended successfully in Mexico with the elimination of the consumption of HCFC-141b in the household appliances and foam sectors. Similarly, the consumption of HCFC-141b and HCFC-22 was reduced in the aerosol and solvent sectors. Stage II of the HCFC phase-down plan in Mexico (HPMP II) ended in 2024, with the complete phase-out of HCFC-141b consumption in all sectors, as well as further reducing HCFC-22 consumption in the household appliance and foam sectors and technical assistance to the RAC servicing sector.
In December 2024, the Executive Committee for the Implementation of Montreal Protocol approved the Stage III of the HCFC phase-out management plan (HPMP III) to be implemented by Mexico from 2025 to 2030.
The HPMP III included a comprehensive component of Capacity Building for the RAC servicing sector which put emphasis on the training of trainers and service technicians through the strengthening of training institutions, with new courses, in retrofitting, recycling, as well as in alternative refrigerants in updated equipment with a lot of emphasis on Good Practices in handling refrigerants, and the corresponding measures not to vent the gases.
The training of technicians and users in the elimination of F-gas leaks in RAC systems is one of the pillars of training. Technicians are trained to provide services to end users in residential AC, convenience stores, supermarkets, and small food sales businesses. Special attention from MAC sector technicians will be done but only to the car workshop service addressing a limited number of old cars (from the 70s).
The HPMP III also includes a component of Technical Assistance to the RAC servicing sector. Mexico produces HCFC-22 and imports almost exclusively HCFC-22. In 2025, HCFC‑22 represented more than 99 per cent of national consumption. It is used in the RAC servicing sector to service centralized supermarket systems, condensing units, medium-sized AC units and small-capacity AC equipment used in homes and small businesses that usually require recharging due to leaks during operation, installation, or repair.
The servicing sector is the main consumer of HCFC-22 due to the demand for the large amount of installed equipment (banks). In Mexico, HCFC-22 is primarily applied in servicing centralized supermarket refrigeration systems, condensing units, and small capacity air-conditioning equipment used in residential and commercial sector. These systems frequently require refrigerant recharging as a result of leaks occurring during operation, installation, or maintenance activities.
The National Consultant will support the design and initial implementation of a pilot program for the integrated refrigerant management and energy efficiency in refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) systems, aimed at reducing leaks, improving energy performance, strengthening technical capacities, and generating evidence for its scaling in Mexico. This pilot program is aimed at providing technical assistance to end users.
Particulary, he/she will assist in adapting elements of the "Zero Leaks" program methodology to the Mexican context, ensuring its alignment with HPMP III, refrigerant management practices, energy efficiency measures and the provision of technical assistance to RAC end users.
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and the National Project Coordinator and in close cooperation with the project team in the HQ and field location, the National Consultant will be responsible for the following main tasks:
Concrete/measurable outputs to be achieved
Expected date of delivery
- Assist the definition of selection criteria and identify participating end-users, prioritizing sectors with high refrigerant load and significant potential for emissions reduction and energy efficiency improvements.
- Support the definition of the technical specifications for monitoring equipment, instruments, sensors, and tools necessary for the pilot implementation.
- Assist in the design and implementation of technical diagnostics and baseline assessments in participating facilities, including refrigerant management practices, energy performance, leakage risks and operational conditions of the RAC systems. This activity shall include the development or adaptation of data collection, diagnostic, monitoring and reporting tools and templates required for pilot implementation.
- Support the development of facility-level action plans and technical protocols for leak detection, preventive and predictive maintenance, corrective actions, refrigerant management improvements, and operational optimization of RAC systems to reduce refrigerant leaks and improve energy efficiency.
- Support the coordination of the initial implementation of low-cost or rapid impact measures, as well as the technical preparation of measures that require subsequent investment.
- Assist the design and implementation of a basic system for monitoring, reporting and verification system to assess operational, environmental and energy performance results, including analysis of energy consumption, refrigerant losses, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, operational improvements, COP and TEWI-related indicators.
- Assist in the design and provide differentiated training for the areas involved in the end user companies.
- Support the design and implementation of a communication and awareness-raising plan aimed at participating end-users.
- Participate in the development of operational materials to support the implementation of the program, including guidelines, protocols, reporting formats, checklists, data recording instructions and basic criteria for results analysis.
- Assist in the identification of technical, operational, financial and institutional barriers to the implementation of the proposed measures, including financing needs, investment schemes.
- Assist in identifying and analyzing technical opportunities to leverage existing national frameworks such as GHG emission regulations, energy and environmental management systems (e.g. ISO 50001 and ISO 14001), corporate responsibility certifications and sustainability-related initiatives to increase adoption of a “Zero Leaks” program among large end users in Mexico.
- Formulate recommendations for a second phase of implementation and scaling, including financial technical assistance needs and possible financing mechanisms.
Work plan and methodology adjusted for Mexico, including approach, selection criteria for end users, intervention phases, initial tools and proposed indicators.
No later than July 30, 2026
Progress Report 1
Technical tools of the pilot program.
List and technical specifications of equipment and tools for diagnosis and implementation.
Baseline assessment report for participating facilities, including technical findings, refrigerant consumption, leakage profile, energy use and preliminary opportunities for improvement.
No later than September 30, 2026
Progress Report 2
Action plans for each participating facility, including prioritized measures, implementation schedule and estimated impacts.
Differentiated training program and materials.
Communication materials, awareness content and dissemination support activities.
Initial implementation and monitoring report, including the proposed monitoring and verification framework, performance indicators and preliminary analysis of refrigerant losses, energy consumption and emissions reductions.
Portfolio of technical measures with preliminary feasibility analysis.
Technical guidance documents and operational protocols for leak reduction and preventive maintenance.
No later than December 30, 2026
Final Report of the pilot program, with technical, energy, environmental, economic and operational results; lessons learned; identification of barriers and opportunities, considerations on participation and inclusion in implementation; scaling recommendations; and proposal for a second phase with a financial component.
No later than March15, 2027
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Education: Advanced university (Master’s or equivalent) degree in chemical/environmental, mechanical, electrical engineering, or other relevant discipline is required. A specialization in refrigeration, energy efficiency, or related areas is desired.
Alternatively, a first level university degree or an advanced technical college diploma may be acceptable provided it is combined with additional 3 years of professional hand-on experience that is directly relevant to the expertise required by the specific assignment.
Technical and Functional Experience:
- At least three (3) years of work experience in refrigeration or AC efficiency projects for end users is required.
- Knowledge in refrigeration and AC systems in Mexico, including relevant stakeholders, is required.
- Experience in planning and implementing projects in the RAC sector is required.
- Experience in diagnosis, maintenance, leak detection and repair, refrigerant handling best practices, and optimization of RAC systems is required.
- Knowledge of energy efficiency, measurement of operational variables, and performance evaluation of RAC systems is required.
- Knowledge of alternatives and procedures to prepare project documents is desirable.
- Experience in Montreal Protocol project implementation is desirable.
- Knowledge of technical cooperation projects in the country or similar country in the region is desirable.
- Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment is required.
Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish 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.
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: [email protected]
