Requisition ID: 6245
Grade: P1 (Junior Specialist)
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Non-staff Regular
Contract Duration: 3 months (with the possibility of extension)
Application Deadline: 11-Sep-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)
Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
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 Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for UNIDO's relations with Member States and all external partners, including through the Policymaking Organs. It plays a central role for interaction and collaboration with traditional and non-traditional donors; oversees the regional bureaus as well as the network of established field offices, liaison offices and Investment and Technology Promotion Offices; and supports the implementation of particularly complex projects, programmes and special assignments, thus also fulfilling an important role in safeguarding their quality and the reputation of the Organization. The Directorate houses the Divisions of Policymaking Organs (PMO), Regional Bureaus and Field Offices (RFO), Field and Liaison Strategy (FLS), Member States and Funding Relations (MSR), Special Operations (SOP), and Investment and Technology Promotion Offices and Institutional Partnerships (ITP).
The Division of Regional Bureaus and Field Offices (GLO/RFO) coordinates the field representation and interventions of UNIDO in Member States and regions. Within this context, the Division is responsible for determining programmatic priorities for UNIDO's services and ensuring that UNIDO responds to the specific needs and requirements of Member States and development partners at the country and regional levels. It facilitates, upon guidance of GLO/FLS, the development of regional strategies, country programmes (including the Programmes for Country Partnership, PCPs) and monitors their implementation. The Division encompasses all the UNIDO field offices and the five Regional Bureaus: Africa (GLO/RFO/AFR), also hosting the IDDA III Secretariat; Arab Region (GLO/RFO/ARB); Asia and the Pacific (GLO/RFO/ASP); Europe and Central Asia (GLO/RFO/EUR); and Latin America and the Caribbean (GLO/RFO/LAC).
The Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean is responsible for determining regional strategies and programmatic priorities for UNIDO’s services and ensuring that UNIDO responds to the specific needs and requirements of Member States.
PROJECT CONTEXT
LAC Bureau Roadmap: Strengthening and streamlining a strategic partnership between UNIDO and the Latin America and the Caribbean region – SAP ID 240423
The project aims to align the value proposition of UNIDO with Member States’ priorities while reinforcing the Organization’s position as a trusted partner in promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID) across the region. The primary objective of the project is to intensify and streamline the engagement of UNIDO with the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region through a programmatic and context-specific threefold approach that maximizes partnerships, boosts resource mobilization, and improves communication and knowledge sharing.
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Communication and Visibility Associate will play a key role in enhancing the visibility, outreach, and strategic positioning of UNIDO work in Latin America and the Caribbean. The objective of the position is to develop and implement a regional communication and outreach strategy that supports the Bureau’s key initiatives, including the Regional Programme, the SDG 9 Accelerator, and the Programme for Country Partnership (PCP).
The Associate will ensure that communication activities are aligned with UNIDO corporate communication standards and manuals and that results and impacts are effectively communicated to regional and global audiences and measured.
The position will be under the supervision of the Chief of the UNIDO Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, based at Headquarters in Vienna. The Associate will work in close coordination with the LAC Bureau team, including staff at headquarters and across UNIDO Field Offices in the region, as well as with the UNIDO Communications Division and other relevant departments.
Key Tasks Include:
Supporting development and implementation of a regional communication and outreach strategy aligned with the Bureau’s Roadmap, PCPs, and SDG 9 Accelerator. Contribute to the preparation and dissemination of communication materials, including newsletters, social media content, press releases, brochures, and impact stories. Assist in managing and updatingcontent for the SDG 9 Platform website and strengthening the Bureau’s digital presence. Support the visibility and communication around regional events, launches, and campaigns. Assist in coordinating with UNIDO’s Communications Division to ensure alignment with corporate messaging and branding. Support liaison with field offices and project teams to ensure consistent communication flows and localized content production. Contribute to promoting knowledge sharing and storytelling on programmatic results, especially in the context of South-South and Triangular Cooperation. Assist in providing inputs to project teams on visibility standards and strategic communication approaches. Support the preparation of briefing notes, presentations, and meeting reports related to key high-level meetings, conferences, and regional engagements.
Specifically, the Communication and Visibility Associate is expected to carry out the following Main Duties:
Strategic Communication Planning & Implementation:
Supporting development and implementation of the Communication and Outreach Strategy of the LAC Bureau, aligned with the Bureau’s Roadmap, PCPs, SDG 9 Accelerator objectives Support the identification of target audiences, key messages, and communication channels. Assist in coordinating with HQ Communication Office to align with UNIDO’s corporate branding and messaging guidelines. Assist in overall guidance on the implementation of the Communication and Visibility Plan, including outreach activities.Content Development
Draft and contribute to the production of high-quality communication materials (press releases, web stories, social media content, newsletters, brochures, factsheets, etc.) to showcase results, milestones, and success stories from the LAC Bureau Roadmap, PCPs, and SDG 9 Accelerator initiatives. Support the identification and documentation good practices, innovations, and impact stories from technical cooperation projects. Assist in reviewing and coordinating the development of content prepared by thematic experts, implementing partners, and external collaborators to ensure consistency, alignment with messaging priorities, and quality control.
Digital Communication and Social Media and Online Presence
Assist in managing the LAC Bureau’s digital presence, including social media accounts and regional SDG9 webpage. Support the development of digital campaigns to promote key events, partnerships, and thematic initiatives related to industrial development and SDG 9. Assist in the operationalization and content management of the SDG 9 Platform website for Latin America and the Caribbean, including coordination with technical teams and content contributors. Support monitoring digital engagement and prepare analytics reports to improve outreach strategies.
Internal & External Communication Flow
Ensure smooth communication flows between HQ, field offices, and partners; support timely and coordinated dissemination of key messages. As the LAC Bureau Focal Point, liaise closely with UNIDO’s Communications Team to ensure all regional communication activities are aligned with corporate strategies, branding, and outreach priorities.
Event Visibility & Campaign Support
Support visibility and promotion for regional events, launches, and thematic campaigns
Support to Strategic Meetings and Briefings
Support the preparation of briefing notes, background documents, presentations, and meeting reports for high-level meetings, conferences, and regional coordination dialogues.
Others
Any other communication and visibility tasks required.
Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in communications, public relations, journalism, media studios, international relations or other relevant discipline is required.
Technical and Functional Experience: A minimum of one (1) year of relevant professional experience, including some at the international level, involving strategic communication, corporate communication, marketing, public affairs and digital media is required. Exposure to the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries is required.
Languages: Fluency in written and spoken Spanish and English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language, particularly French or Portuguese is desirable.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES