Title: Associate Industrial Development Expert

​Requisition ID: 5831
Grade: L2
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
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: 84,620 USD
Application Deadline: 8-Jul-2025, 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.
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 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.

The position is located under the Division of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI) promotes digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence as well as associated technologies as part of innovation ecosystems consisting of productive capacities in manufacturing, services and digital firms, with the purpose to advance the competitiveness of industries and manufacturing firms in Member States. It helps industries to benefit from the rapid progress in digital and convergent technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), ensuring a smooth transition towards safe and secured cyber- physical industrial systems and a smart society and mitigating any negative adverse effects on employment and quality of work. Through the Division's services, the productive transformation is the key, by integrating industrial businesses, dynamic entrepreneurship, and acceleration services, and by applying technological innovation to smart manufacturing, smart energy, smart agribusiness and others, in developing countries, transition and emerging economies, with emphasis in developing countries to provide the opportunity to technologically catch up instead of falling behind industries in more advanced countries.

At the L2 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver: (a) work that is analytical in contributing to results achieved by the Division; (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

Promoting Sustainability and Strengthening International Competitiveness of Domestic Products by Enhancing Advanced Technologies (SAP ID: 230340)

Economically, Cameroon plays a pivotal role in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). The country embraces abundant natural resources, including oil and gas, mineral ores, and agricultural products such as coffee, cotton, coca, maize and cassava. Despite these resources and wealth, the country still faces challenges. According to UNIDO’s Industrial Analytics Platform, Cameroon is ranked 101st out of 132 countries for its performance toward the achievement of SDG-9 industry-related targets. Cameroon tends to lag other economies in terms of the level of technological adoption in the industry consequently leading to low performance in other indices measuring competitiveness like value-added per capita, which is ranked at 113th place in the world, and underperforming the average of not only the middle-income industrial economies but also African countries. As the specialized UN agency, UNIDO has identified that there are impending development needs to assist Cameroon in promoting the technological upgrade and national quality assurance systems to maximize the developmental potential of the Cameroonian key trade products, as well as minimize the loss of values along with the post-harvest processes and crop management. Therefore, this project responds to an existing need and demand of the value chain actors and institutions to develop their capacity to comply with the market requirements and for the increased added value that will open new opportunities for strengthening the overall industrial and trade competency of Cameroon. The overall objective of the proposed project is to contribute to the realization of sustainable trade competence of key Cameroonian products and international business partnerships by enhancing advanced technologies, innovation, and product quality assurance capacity.

Enhancing the resilience of key industries to natural disasters in the State of Rio Grande do Sul (SAP ID 240237)

From the end of April to May 2024, the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul was hit by heavy rains which caused widespread flooding, leaving 478 town under water. Almost 3.4 million people were affected and 179 people died. On the economic side, the Brazilian Central Bank’s regional economic activity index (IBCR) showed that the economy of Rio Grande do Sul shrank by 9% when the state was hit by generational floods that disrupted infrastructure, agricultural production, and industrial activities. The 9% dip was the most severe for Rio Grande do Sul since the index was created. Thus, strengthening the climate resilience of primary industries is essential for Rio Grande do Sul to improve and strengthen the economic situation. In this context, the project aims to enhance the resilience of Rio Grande do Sul priority industries through adapting digital technologies, capacity building on disaster resilience, and policy advisory on enhancing disaster resilience.

Green industrial recovery project for Ukraine through technology transfer from and the co-creation of new businesses with Japan’s private industries (SAP ID: 230356)

The full-scale hostilities against Ukraine, starting in February 2022, has had a significant negative impact on the country’s industries and businesses, impeding its potential for inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID). In order to support the country's industrial and economic recovery and resilience, it is critical to increase the value addition of the country’s manufacturing sector and help people access employment opportunities and generate income. Strengthening the resilience of the Ukrainian economy requires widespread dissemination of industry, along with the necessary tools and methods for value addition across the country. Moreover, aligning with Ukraine's goal of EU accession, the economy must focus on EU compatibility, particularly in regard to environmental best practices, obtaining access to know-how and expertise, upgrading practices and processes, increasing competitiveness and value addition, and strengthening access to markets to incentivize investment. All interventions must ensure that production and products are green, energy-efficient and resource-efficient, fostering the advancement of a circular economy.

Taking into consideration the acute needs and long-term industrial recovery and development opportunities, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), as a specialized United Nations agency mandated to foster ISID, has prepared and launched a green industrial recovery programme for Ukraine 2024-2028. The programme sets out a programmatic vision for the multi-stakeholder and cross-dimensional partnership that is needed to restore Ukraine’s industry and foster sustainable industrial development.

Prior to the development of the programme, UNIDO prepared a comprehensive industrial diagnostic study, paving the way for an informed, evidence-based and data-driven approach to the Organization’s interventions. Extensive research has been conducted to extrapolate a strategic direction for the country’s future industrialization and green recovery. This assessment builds on the existing policies of the Government of Ukraine and the Ukraine Plan of the European Union (EU), identifying areas and opportunities for development and proposing solutions in response to existing challenges related to economic growth, modernization of the economic system and integration with the EU to foster recovery, reconstruction and reform at all levels (i.e. macro-,meso- and micro-level). The proposed project is thus developed based on the comprehensive results of the industrial diagnostics and taking into consideration the identified needs and opportunities. Recognizing the unique value addition and relevance of the UNIDO mandate, the Government of Japan has requested the Organization to support Ukraine’s industrial recovery and innovation ecosystem building through technology transfer, capacity-building and business co-creation between the private sectors of Ukraine and Japan, with the possibility of involving third party enterprises where opportune.

Responsibilities

The Associate Industrial Development Expert works under the overall guidance of the Division of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (DAI); the direct supervision of the Industrial Development Officer and in close collaboration with the colleagues to support the mandate of the Division. She/he will be responsible for providing technical support to 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:

Minimum requirements and desirable criteria

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in economics, international relations, engineering or in a closely related field is required.

Experience, technical knowledge and functional expertise:

Language Skills:

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

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.

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.

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