Title:  Director

Requisition ID: 5502 
Grade: D1 
Country: Austria 
Duty Station: Vienna 
Category: Professional and Higher 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Staff-Full-time
Appointment Type: Fixed Term - 100 series
Indicative Minimum Net Annual Salary: 170,079 USD 
Application Deadline: 10-Apr-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)  

Vacancy Announcement
Female candidates from all Member States are particularly 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.

DIRECTORATE OF SDG INNOVATION AND ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION (IET) 

The Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for the development of innovative UNIDO services in the areas of agro-industry and agribusiness, sustainability standards and fair production, and climate-relevant or climate-improving technologies. It is also, in collaboration with ODG, responsible for developing innovative technical cooperation concepts, identifying new sources and means of finance and entering into new partnerships with a broad range of relevant stakeholders.

The Directorate is responsible for the Divisions of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR), Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST), Climate and Technology Partnerships (IET/CTP), Innovative Finance and International Financial Institutions (IET/IFI), and Public-Private Partnerships (IET/PPP). Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, IET collaborates closely with TCS 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.

DIVISION OF AGRIBUSINESS AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT (IET/AGR)  

Under the supervision of the Managing Director, Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), and in close coordination with other organizational entities, the Division of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR) supports Member States in their efforts to pave the way to sustainable rural development and a structurally transformed and modernized agribusiness sector. Capitalizing on the experience gained by UNIDO in this field over decades and on tried-and-tested and to-be-developed service modules, the Division will explore innovative approaches to maximize the potential that exists in agribusiness development, addressing emerging global trends, in particular food security, poverty alleviation and climate change. It will explore new ways to contribute to global efforts to reduce hunger, accelerate food systems transformation, and generate income and employment, especially among women and youth.

The Division provides TC services to assist the modernization of agriculture and agro-industry, especially in less-developed countries, ensuring that enterprises add value to primary agricultural production, substitute the imports of food and other value-added agricultural products, and participate effectively in local, regional and global value chains. Where needed, it will develop infrastructure and agro-industrial parks and capacities for agro-industrialization, value addition, quality assurance and food safety. It will also bring innovative approaches to Member States to fully benefit from carbon-neutral and biodiversity-enhancing agricultural and agro-industrial production and development opportunities in the green and blue bioeconomy.

The Director for the Division of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development reports to the Managing Director for of the Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation.  He/she shall manage the work of the Food Security and Food Systems Unit, Rural Development, Agro-industries and Industrial Parks Unit, and the Agro-Innovation and Bioeconomy Unit. Within the specific mandate of the Division, the Director assists the Managing Director in the strategic positioning of UNIDO to:

•Effectively accomplish UNIDO’s strategic objectives in relation to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

•Operationalize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) implementation by developing new and strengthening existing partnerships with stakeholders.

•Explore and secure new avenues of financing for UNIDO’s programmatic implementation and operations.

•Strengthen UNIDO’s internal management structures and processes.

Within the broad priorities above and specific direction cascaded downward, the Director shall formulate, cascade, monitor, evaluate and report on the results of the priorities established for the areas under his/her responsibilities.

At the D1 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver:

(a) work that is ground-breaking to UNIDO's mandate.

(b) in creating an enabling environment which is empowering.

(c) in building partnerships and institutional relationships.

(d) in achieving results that are Cross Functional.

The measure of success is establishing new standards.

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.

1. Main Responsibilities

Technical

• Identify, develop and manage strategies and related programmatic approaches that enhance food production and processing by helping agribusinesses, including SMEs and smallholders, access adequate business development services, knowledge and technology, finance, markets and trade opportunities.
• In collaboration with Government agencies, UN agencies and development partners, conduct food value chain, food safety system and food security diagnostics capitalizing on the existing UNIDO tools and methodologies.
• In collaboration with IET/PPP, IET/IFI, and the Division of Funding Partner Relations Division, build strategic partnerships for food security with strategic partners, donors and financing institutions and jointly formulate development programmes in which UNIDO delivers technical assistance in the area of food production and food safety.
• Promote the development and application of new business models to agro-food processing among firms and entrepreneurs, particularly among SMEs and in the informal sector, making use of new adequate knowledge and technology and innovation in product and markets, quality control and standards compliance schemes, funding, and investment.
• Promote the setting up of centres of excellence and innovation hubs to enhance food value chain performance and ensure the centres and hubs have access to appropriate and affordable technology, knowledge and support services.
• Collaborate with suppliers of innovative and smart technology solutions for food processing, packaging, handling, storage and post-harvest loss reduction and promote their adoption among food processors in developing countries.
• Support developing countries in establishing or strengthening their food safety systems, legal and regulatory capacities and infrastructure to improve the safety and sustainability of food production and build capabilities among food processing industries to comply with quality, food safety and other standards and requirements of local and international markets.
• Develop and coordinate the key partnerships with other UN agencies and international bodies and initiatives and the private sector entities in areas related to food systems, food safety and food security.
• Support developing countries in the design of robust agricultural and agro-industrial policy frameworks to foster local production of food products and value addition to increase food security.
• Develop capacity-building tools and, in collaboration with Division of Policy Advise and Capacity Development, build individual and institutional capacities to improve food security and food safety in developing countries.

Managerial

• Provide leadership to the Division of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development in aligning the work programme of the Department with the organizational priorities and in this context, formulate, cascade, implement and report on the priorities of the Department.
• Manage the financial and human resources assigned to the Department ensuring appropriate delegation, accountability, responsibility, guidance and supervision. In this context, is responsible for the collective results of the Divisions. 
• Ensure that Chiefs under his/her responsibility are providing effective management and supervision of their staff including ways to hold them accountable.
• Ensure appropriate controls for monitoring and reporting; performance management; motivation of staff and other appropriate measures to ensure optimal utilization of the human resources.  In the recruitment of staff in the Department, support the Deputy to the Director General to reach the organizational goals for improving geographical and gender balance.
• Support the Managing Director in other areas to ensure efficient distribution and coordination of actions; effective linkages; cross-functional team work; flow of communication lines and management information among different spans of controls.
• Support the Managing Director on other special projects and assignments that may be assigned from time to time.

3. 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.

Managerial and Leadership Competencies

WE ARE STRATEGIC, DECISIVE, PRINCIPLED AND INSPIRATIONAL: As managers, we are strategic and fair in driving our team’s performance. As leaders, we are a source of inspiration, stand for norms and standards established in the UN Charter and duty bound to defend these ideals with a principled approach.

WE ARE INCLUSIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE: As managers, we are inclusive in our approach and maintain constructive engagement with all our stakeholders. As leaders, we embrace all personnel and stakeholders and are accountable mutually within UNIDO, within the system, to beneficiaries and the public and beyond.

WE ARE MULTI-DIMENSIONAL AND TRANSFORMATIONAL: As managers, we go beyond conventional methods to help our organizational units strengthen their own agility and adaptability to change. As leaders in the UN system, we have a vision, which is integrated and engaged across the pillars of Peace and Security, Human Rights and Development.

WE ARE COLLABORATIVE AND CO-CREATIVE: As managers, we foster a team spirit and create meaningful opportunities to hear the voices of those around us, while realizing that only by working together can we accomplish our mission. As leaders, we see the inter-dependency of imperatives of the UN Charter and personally champion a collaborative inter-agency, multi-stakeholders and cross-thinking approach.

4. Minimum Organizational Requirements

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in areas such as Agricultural Science, Engineering, Economics, International Relations, Management, Business Administration or field relevant to UNIDO’s mandate, is required.

Experience:

A minimum of twelve (12) years of progressively responsible professional experience at the national and international level, leading and directing both technical and non-technical groups and teams in technical cooperation activities including practical (field/international) experience in industrial development in developing countries, preferably in the field of agri-business development, or related programmes is required.

At least five (5) years of experience in a senior managerial position preferably at the international level is required. Experience in working with a variety of stakeholders, including UN organisations and/or international organizations, and the private sector, in the field of international development cooperation and/or the agro-industrial sector is required.

Experience in leadership, high level negotiations and dealings with stakeholders, requiring political astuteness and sensitivity, is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required.  Fluency in or working knowledge of French or Spanish, or another official United Nations language, is desirable.

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