Date:  General Conference Administrator

 ​​Requisition ID: 5296 
Grade: ISA-Junior Specialist 
Country: Austria 
Duty Station: Vienna 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 12months
Application Deadline: 20-Mar-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 Partnership 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 position is located under the Division of Policymaking Organs (GLO/PMO). The Division is responsible for organizing all sessions of the UNIDO policymaking organs, such as the General Conference, the Industrial Development Board and its subsidiary organ, the Programme and Budget Committee, as well as any other subsidiary bodies and working groups established by those organs. This includes providing advisory and secretariat services to such sessions.

PROJECT CONTEXT 

The General Conference is UNIDO’s supreme policymaking organ and meets every two years. It determines, inter alia, the guiding principles and policies of the Organization, approves its budget and work programme and elects the members of its other policymaking organs. Every four years, the Conference appoints the Director General. The twenty-first session of the General Conference of UNIDO (GC.21) will be held from 23 to 27 November 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following the adoption of decision GC.20/Dec.17 at the twentieth session of the General Conference of UNIDO in 2023.

GC.21 is anticipated to feature the role and strength of inclusive and sustainable industrialization to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs through several workstreams tailored to UNIDO Member States, and in particular the host government, the Government of Saudi Arabia, UNIDO and its development partners, including the private sector and other institutions, linked to an overall theme identified for the Conference. More specifically, GC.21 will provide an international platform for industrial transformation, the mobilization of investments and private sector development. It will among others focus on the contribution of inclusive and sustainable industrial development for the accelerated realization of local, regional and global development goals; the role of strategically oriented industrial policies for structural economic transformation and global competitiveness; investments in economic infrastructure and industrial capacities to foster economic growth, social well-being and environment protection; and technology transfer and investments in advanced technologies for the creation of sustainable solutions.

It is further anticipated that GC.21 will bring together high-level government stakeholders, the private sector, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations, youth, academia, civil society and other development partners, and put forward a programme of thematic events, an exhibition providing opportunities for engagements among all key stakeholders, multiple social and cultural events and other activities to complement the procedural components of the Conference.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Director of the Division of Policymaking Organs, who is also the General Conference’s Executive Secretary, and in close alignment with the PMO team, the GC Administrator’s main responsibility is to coordinate the preparation, delivery and follow-up of selected components of the twenty-first session of the General Conference, in particular with regard to the programme of thematic events, including the Forum on Industrial Development Issues, the Investment and Partnership Accelerator Forum and the Youth Forum. The incumbent shall carry out the following main duties.

• Prepare, deliver and follow-up on the pre-GC.21 promotion events and engagements, as well as GC.21’s programme of thematic events, including the Forum on Industrial Development Issues, the Investment and Partnership Accelerator Forum, the Youth Forum and other side events and activities, working closely with the General Conference Coordinator, and providing relevant guidance to support personnel in GLO/PMO.
• Prepare and provide relevant information, documents and templates to support the preparation of all activities related to the programme of thematic events, including in close coordination with the relevant internal and external counterparts, ensuring that all required elements are prepared to ensure the effective delivery of events and to facilitate the participation of Member States and other stakeholders.
• Monitor progress in the preparation of the programme of thematic events, identify problems and propose actions to be taken to expedite the delivery of inputs.
• In coordination with the UNIDO Communications Officer in charge of communications and visibility for GC.21, ensure alignment between the overall theme of the GC and the key messages and outcomes of the pre-GC.21 promotional events and the programme of thematic events of GC.21.
• Coordinate the development of the Conference App for participants, and ensure that it is populated with relevant information to facilitate participation and interactions among participants.
• Provide guidance to both internal and external stakeholders to facilitate the participation of high-level representatives and other invited participants of GC.21 and its programme of thematic events.
• Prepare an internal outcome report with lessons learned and proposed measures to improve preparations, delivery and follow-up.
• Perform other duties as required and instructed by the Director, GLO/PMO.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in engineering, sciences, economics, business administration, international relations or other relevant discipline with specialization in event management, is required.

Technical and functional experience

• At least three (3) years of work experience in areas relevant for the recruiting office is required.
• Expertise and work experience in event management, in particular in the framework of multilateral organizations, is highly required
• Ability to research and analyse information is required.
• Ability to establish independently priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own workplan is required.
• Strong interpersonal skills, proven ability to work harmoniously in a team and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity is required.
• Exposure to the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official United Nations language, particularly Arabic is desirable.

REQUIRED 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.

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: recruitment@unido.org