Title:  Industrial Development Expert

​Requisition ID: 5442 
Grade: L3 
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: 102,861 USD 
Application Deadline: 23-Apr-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.

Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all relevant organizational entities within UNIDO, 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 MSME Development and Job Creation Unit (TCS/SME/MDJ) which supports micro, small and medium manufacturing enterprises (MSMEs) in Member States to take advantage of new technologies, business and organizational support, investment promotion, cluster development and partnerships to improve their businesses for advancing the overall economic competitiveness.

At the L3 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver: (a) work from a seasoned analyst; (b) in creating an enabling environment for work which is solid and anchored to achieving results; (c) in building relationships which contributes to relationship management and (d) in achieving results within a professional team. The measure of success is in consistent and dependable 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.

1. Project/Programme Context

Promoting MSME development and employment opportunities in Liberia through a market system and cluster development approach in agro-industry value chains - GROW 2 - Liberia (ID 210056)>

This programme constitutes the successor phase of the Sida-funded “Markets and value chains in agriculture” (GROW Liberia, 2013-2022 – hereafter called GROW-1) and is named GROW-2. It aims at contributing to the increase in income and employment opportunities through MSME development in priority agro-based value chains in Liberia. More precisely, capitalizing on the results and lessons of GROW-1, the programme will focus on upscaling prior efforts and expanding sectoral and thematic outreach. The programme is aligned to Liberia’s strategic development priorities as well as to Sweden’s cooperation strategy with Liberia.

The programme focuses on three value chains and while support to addressing opportunities and challenges to seize international market opportunities concerns the cocoa value chain, support to enhancing the cassava and horticulture value chains aims at enhancing food security and increasing income of, in particular, rural farmers (men, women and youth).

Core principles include the search for country ownership, effective synergies with related programmes, projects and initiatives, the pursuit of a Market System Development (MSD) approach adapted to the local context, emphasis on national capacity building and results orientation as well as facilitation of regional linkages. The programme will also address cross-cutting issues, among which are gender equality, women and youth economic empowerment, and environmental protection including climate change and biodiversity concerns.

It has the following expected outcomes:

1. Accelerated development of selected value chains as a result of its actors (MSMEs, including cooperatives) benefitting from strengthened horizontal and vertical coordination along the value chains and from market driven improvements in production, storage, (pre-) processing and, ultimately, enhanced market access.
2. Improved national enabling environment for enhancing market driven value chain development, covering a more conducive policy and regulatory framework, enhanced dialogue and demand-based multifaceted service capacities.

Western Balkan green automotive supply chain development (ID 230198)

The automotive industry is crucial for many developing economies seeking to transition towards capital and knowledge-intensive industrialization. It has a significant multiplier effect on many economies, with each direct job supporting at least five indirect ones due to an extensive network of activity across various related industries. However, the industry faces mounting challenges, from ambitious climate goals to geopolitical crises that affect supply chains. Many countries are already committing to moving away from internal combustion engines to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission alternatives, including electric and hydrogen. Since road transport accounts for one fifth of the EU’s total CO2 emissions, the EU is aiming for a significant reduction in car emissions to achieve its climate neutrality goal by 2050. The EU has already announced a ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars by 2035, underscoring the urgency of overhauling current manufacturing processes, supply chains, and infrastructure. 

The Western Balkans therefore stands at a crossroads as global automotive industry undergoes supply chain transformational shifts that present both strategic opportunities and formidable challenges. The region's competitive advantages, characterized by a cost-effective workforce and strategic proximity to the European market, provide a solid foundation. Its historical track-record in vehicle and component manufacturing further strengthens its position. However, significant challenges also remain, including fragmented policy landscape, skill gaps, low innovative capacities, limited compliance with industry standards, and insufficient product diversity. To address these challenges, increased cross-country cooperation in the Western Balkans will be essential.

The Western Balkan Green Automotive Supply Chain Development project is a 24-month initiative implemented by UNIDO and funded by the Government of Slovenia to support the Western Balkans automotive industries in their green and digital transition. 

The overall project objective is to set the foundations for improved regional cooperation, enabling the Western Balkans automotive sector to transition to a green future and better integrate into EU supply chains through the development of a comprehensive supplier programme. To optimize the allocation of project resources across a broad regional area, this foundational project aims to identify regional solutions to shared challenges within the automotive sector and forge strategic partnerships with key European and Slovenian automotive industry players. These efforts will provide the basis for a large-scale technical assistance programme to develop the regional automotive supplier base.

2. Responsibilities

The Industrial Development Expert works under the overall guidance of the Chief, Division of MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME); the direct supervision of the Chief, MSME Development and Job Creation Unit (TCS/SME/MDJ) 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:

• Execute and monitor projects/ programme implementation activities and services, ensuring that assigned inputs are high quality, delivered on time and within the allocated budget.

• Coordinate the execution of the project, including as/if needed:
  • Supervising and coordinating the work of project consultants, partners and sub-contractors.
  • Preparing necessary inputs (work plans, consultant job descriptions, terms of reference, training arrangements, equipment specifications, etc.).

• Monitoring progress and expenditures, preparing financial forecasts and budget revisions, including missions to project sites.
• Participating in oversight meetings in the field and at headquarters and assists the Evaluation Group in its evaluations of projects/programmes.
• Coordinate project communication and knowledge management activities.

• Manage external relations by maintaining close relationships with all stakeholders involved in the project, including government institutions and international entities, locally based donor institutions, international financial institutions and regional development banks, the private sector, civil society and academia to establish collaborations and synergies.
• Support advocacy, communication and global forum activities related to the progamme/project and aimed at strengthening public relations, including the preparation of promotional materials, organization of media events, dissemination of information on the project activities through UNIDO/project website and network of UNIDO offices.
• In line with the guidelines and procedures governing the technical cooperation activities of UNIDO, contribute to planning funds mobilization strategies and cooperate with other units in-house in mobilizing the funds necessary for a follow up project and programme.
• Perform other related duties and assignments as required.

3. Minimum requirements and desirable criteria

Education:

Advanced university degree in economics, international relations, engineering or in a closely related field such as business administration or development studies is required.

Experience, technical knowledge and functional expertise:

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible working experience, including some at the international level, in project execution or coordination, particularly in the areas of value chain development, quality infrastructure support, market system development, and cluster development, is required.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing technical cooperation projects to support MSMEs in industrial supply chains, with a focus on market access and sustainability, is required.
• Experience in conceptualizing and/or implementing multi-country or multi-partner projects, is required.
• Experience in donor coordination and funds mobilization for technical cooperation projects is required.  
• Experience evaluating needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, as well as in technical cooperation projects in West Africa or the Western Balkans, is desirable.
• Experience with and knowledge of UNIDO procedures and practices is desirable.

Language Skills:

Fluency in written and oral English is required.  Fluency or working knowledge of another official language of the United Nations is desirable.

4. 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