Title:  Industrial Development Officer

Requisition ID: 5731 
Grade: P4 
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: 128,786 USD 
Application Deadline: 30-May-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.

The Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Deputy to the Director General and 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 position is located under the Division of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI) promotes digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence as well as associated technologies as part of innovation ecosystems consisting of productive capacities in manufacturing, services and digital firms, with the purpose to advance the competitiveness of industries and manufacturing firms in Member States. It helps industries to benefit from the rapid progress in digital and convergent technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), ensuring a smooth transition towards safe and secured cyber-physical industrial systems and a smart society and mitigating any negative adverse effects on employment and quality of work. Through the Division's services, the productive transformation is the key, by integrating industrial businesses, dynamic entrepreneurship, and acceleration services, and by applying technological innovation to smart manufacturing, smart energy, smart agribusiness and others, in developing countries, transition and emerging economies, with emphasis in developing countries to provide the opportunity to technologically catch up instead of falling behind industries in more advanced countries.

The Team Lead works under the overall guidance of the Chief, Division of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence; and in close collaboration with the colleagues to support the mandate of the Division.

At the P4 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver (a) work that is innovative and original; (b) in creating an enabling environment which expands across functions and sectors; (c) in building partnerships which result in advocating and championing UNIDO’s programmes and (d) in achieving results within Programme teams. The measure of success is systemic and catalytic 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 organization's needs.

Main Responsibilities

As a team leader or member, whether on a divisional, cross-functional or cross-sectoral level, the incumbent is a subject matter expert who shall carry out the following generic activities to achieve the immediate results of the Division and the outcomes of the Department:

Programme Development

Lead and contribute to the conceptualisation, development and formulation of technical cooperation projects/programmes that promote Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development by leveraging Digitalization especially Digital Economy, AI and other 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies in line with the guidelines and procedures governing the delivery of UNIDO services and obtain internal approval. More specifically:

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• Provide strategic guidance and thought leadership for Member States to shape, implement, and monitor inclusive and sustainable AI and 4IR policies and legislative frameworks, ensuring robust regulatory ecosystems and close collaboration among public, private, academic, and civil society actors;
• Map and enhance innovation systems and foster technology hubs and Centers of Excellence to accelerate digital transformation in Industry and Smart Manufacturing and expand inclusion opportunities in the Digital Economy.
• Advocate, design, and implement Technical Cooperation projects and solutions that leverage AI and other digital technologies to green Industries;
• Develop digital, AI, and technology fusion solutions to drive industrial modernization of industrial sustainable initiatives encouraging data-driven, future-ready cities and markets.

Programme Implementation

Manage the implementation of projects and programmes, assuming full responsibility for providing projects/programme implementation services, ensuring that assigned inputs are delivered on time at the right level of quality and within the allocated budget. This will entail the preparation of necessary inputs (job descriptions of experts, terms of reference, training arrangements, equipment specifications, partnership instruments, etc.), monitoring progress in implementation, including missions to the project site, as well as taking part in oversight meetings in the field and at headquarters, and assisting the Evaluation Group in its evaluations of projects/programmes.

Funds and Partnership Mobilization

Cooperate with other organizational units in-house in the design and planning of resource mobilization strategies and mobilize the funds and partners necessary for project and programme implementation.

Global Forum Function

Design, plan and organize in cooperation with other units in-house UNIDO global forum activities (conferences, seminars, expert group meetings, etc. Prepare technical papers or other inputs for external seminars, conferences, expert group meetings, etc. Prepares UNIDO publications and other information dissemination aids and tools. Keep abreast of technical and economic developments in Digitalization, Digital Economy, AI and other technologies associated to the 4th Industrial Revolution through close contacts with specialized institutions and industry representatives, following the technical press, market developments and trends.

Advisory Services to Counterparts

As a subject matter expert, provide technical advisory services to counterparts. This includes, among others: commenting on, appraising or revising draft project proposals submitted by requesting Governments; advising Governments on financing institutions, multilateral and bilateral organizations and other strategic partners; and provision of technical advice to strategic partners/donors.

Perform other related duties and assignments as required by the Chief of the Division.

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.

Organizational requirements and desirable criteria

Education

Advanced university level degree (master’s or equivalent) in Economics, Engineering, Environmental Management, Digitalization, Artificial Intelligence, , or a field of direct relevance to the mandate of the Division, is required.  

Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible working experience in the areas of the Division's mandate, promoting digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence and associated technologies, including at the international level, is required.
• Substantive experience in all phases of the Project Cycle, is required. 
• Experience with Technical Cooperation projects/programmes with strong focus on components such as: 4IR technologies, artificial intelligence, or digital economy component(s) is required.
• Exposure to the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, is desirable.
• Proven ability in working in a multi-cultural environment is desirable.

Languages

 Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. Fluency in or working knowledge of other official language(s) of the United Nations, is an asset.

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