Title: Innovation Programme Administrator - Incubation and University Partnerships

​​Requisition ID: 6910
Grade: ISA-P2
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 6 months
Application Deadline: 13-Jan-2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL

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 Division of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence supports Member States in leveraging digital and frontier technologies, promoting innovation ecosystems, and enabling responsible and inclusive industrial digitalisation. The position is located under the Innovation Lab (TCS/DAI/LAB). The UNIDO Innovation Lab (InnoLab) serves as the Organisation’s engine for innovation, experimentation, capability development, and systems thinking.

UNIDO InnoLab

UNIDO is establishing a new ScaleX Incubation Framework to strengthen early-stage innovation pathways, expand university–industry collaboration, and support problem-driven innovation relevant to UNIDO’s Mission Studio and ScaleX regional programmes.

In parallel, the InnoLab is launching an internal Innovation Incubator as part of the newly formed Community of Practice (CoP) on AI, aimed at boosting innovation, experimentation, and digital/AI capabilities across UNIDO teams.

The Consultant will support the development, coordination, and day-to-day operations of both incubation workstreams, while also contributing to programme administration, knowledge management, and communication efforts.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Head of InnoLab and in close coordination with other technical divisions, the Consultant will perform the following duties:

MAIN DUTIES

Deliverables

Support Incubation Activities under ScaleX Open Innovation Programme

ScaleX Incubation Framework operational with partner mapping and documentation.

Support Internal Incubation Activities as Part of the UNIDO Community of Practice on AI

●Internal incubation programme is operational, with activities documented and coordinated.

●Peer-learning and practice-sharing sessions delivered through the AI CoP.

●Updated internal innovation tools and resources.

Programme Administration & Coordination

●Monthly programme coordination notes and progress updates.

●TORs, procurement files, and contracting documents prepared in line with UNIDO requirements.

●Programme trackers and operational documentation maintained and up to date.

Knowledge Management & Communication