Title:  Intern (Climate Technology Innovation)

​​Requisition ID: 7600 
Grade: Intern
Category: Internship
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna   
Entry Date: As soon as possible
Internship Duration: 3-6 months
Application Deadline: 8-Jun-2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement

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 and hunger reduction, inclusive and fair 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, the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019 as well as the Riyadh Declaration adopted at the twenty-first session of UNIDO General Conference in 2025, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Member States. The relevance of this mission 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 inclusive and sustainable industrial development, however, applies to all SDGs.

The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) 2026 - 2029 is UNIDO’s core strategic document and it is in line with UNIDO’s Vision 2050. It sets a renewed vision to support Member States and shape their industries for development. The priorities include fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, renewable and clean energy, sustainable energy access and climate action. 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-related activities; and (iv) convening and fostering partnerships for knowledge and technology transfer, investment mobilization, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Sub-regional Offices and Country Offices.

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 Division of Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP) assists Member States in the emergence, deployment, and large-scale up-take of solutions for low carbon and climate resilient industrialization. The division promotes system innovation approach to achieve transformational change in climate change by innovating across key levers of change including technology, finance, policy, and regulation.

The Division is responsible for the dual mandate of accelerating innovation and building climate innovation ecosystems to promote low-carbon and climate-resilient industrialization; and planning, developing and implementing interventions to facilitate compliance with the Montreal Protocol and, in particular, its Kigali Amendment and to support countries in achieving their NDCs. In addition, the Division is responsible, in close collaboration with other relevant entities of the Organization, for facilitating the transfer of innovative low-carbon and climate adaptation solutions and building markets to ensure their widespread use by industry and local communities, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience in recipient countries. It collaborates closely on relevant and converging issues with TCS/CEG, TCS/ECA and IET/CTP.

This internship position is located under Climate Technology Innovation Unit (TCS/CMP/CTI), which is responsible for supporting Member States in fostering innovation across technologies, finance, policy and regulation to promote the emergence, deployment and large-scale up-take of low-carbon and climate adaptation solutions and business practices. In addition, the Unit is responsible, in close collaboration with other relevant entities in the Organization, for facilitating the transfer of and establishing markets for low-carbon and climate adaptation solutions, ensuring wide use by industry and local communities, thereby contributing to climate mitigation, adaptation and building resilience in recipient countries. The Unit positions UNIDO strategically in the global discourse on climate technology innovation support and acts as the focal point in UNIDO for partnership with the technology mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The Intern will be responsible for assisting project development and implementation carried out by the TCS/CMP/CTI. Through this internship, the candidate is expected to develop expertise in the fields of clean energy and climate adaptation. And will also gain insights into climate adaptation issues in developing countries, including those in Africa, and learn about collaboration methods with international organization related to climate change.

The duration of an internship at UNIDO is six months and is full-time. Interns work under the supervision of a staff member, in the division or office that they are assigned to.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Intern shall work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager designated by the Chief of the CTI Unit, and shall be engaged as follows:

a. Exposed to the regular core functions of the TCS/CMP/CTI and as such shall have the opportunity to observe the day-to-day operations and engage in on-the-job training in specific actions delegated by the Supervisor. 

b. Engaged in a specific self-contained assignment described below:

1. Project design and resource mobilization support

• Support the development of project concepts, concept notes, and full project proposals for climate adaptation and resilience initiatives.
• Assist in drafting technical sections of proposals, including background analysis, theory of change, logical frameworks, stakeholder mapping, and workplans.
• Contribute to the preparation of donor submissions for climate finance mechanisms and bilateral partners.
• Support the preparation of presentations, briefing notes, talking points, and communication materials for donor engagement and resource mobilization activities.
• Assist in identifying funding opportunities, donor priorities, and strategic partnership opportunities relevant to climate technology innovation and resilient industrial development.
• Contribute to the development of activity descriptions, and implementation arrangements, and support related administrative inputs, in coordination with project teams and partners.

2. Project implementation and coordination support

• Support day-to-day coordination and implementation of ongoing projects related to climate resilience, innovation ecosystems, and private sector engagement.
• Assist in organizing meetings, workshops, consultations, and stakeholder engagement activities with governments, private sector actors, financial institutions, academia, and development partners.
• Prepare meeting minutes, summaries, progress updates, and internal coordination documents.
• Support monitoring, reporting, and knowledge management activities, including compilation of project results, indicators, and lessons learned.
• Assist in coordinating with implementing partners, consultants, and external stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of project activities and outputs.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical and narrative reports for internal and external reporting purposes.

3. Research, data analysis, and policy support

• Conduct desk-based research and literature reviews on topics related to climate adaptation, climate technologies, resilient industries, nature-based solutions, industrial resilience, private sector engagement, and climate finance.
• Support the analysis of climate vulnerabilities, adaptation needs, innovation ecosystems, and policy frameworks in developing countries.
• Assist in developing policy recommendations, technical analyses, case studies, and knowledge products.
• Contribute to mapping innovative climate adaptation solutions, technologies, business models, and financing mechanisms.
• Support data collection, synthesis, and analysis for reports, policy briefs, presentations, and strategic documents.
• Monitor global trends, initiatives, and emerging practices related to climate technology innovation, adaptation finance, and resilient industrial development.

c. Other special emerging projects that may enhance the learning experience of the Intern.

The Intern will be required to prepare an end-of-internship report, which will be submitted to and cleared by HRM.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Enrolled in a second level university degree programme (master's or equivalent) or higher; or begin the internship within one year of completing a second level university degree; or be enrolled in the final academic year of a first degree programme (bachelor's or equivalent); or begin the internship within one year of completing a first level university degree. Only accredited institutions will be considered.

Field of specialization: Public policy and climate change strongly preferred, with consideration also given to international development, environmental governance, climate fiannce, economics, international relations or equivalent majors.             

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and French is required. Knowledge of Portuguese is an asset.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Internships at UNIDO are full-time and shall be for a period of three to six months. For internships fully sponsored through partner institutions, the maximum duration shall be twelve months, subject to prior HRM agreement. Extensions beyond the initially agreed duration are not permitted. 

• Interns shall receive a stipend from UNIDO, or from their sponsor, to cover the costs of basic subsistence at the location of the internship.  

• Interns are responsible for living expenses, accommodation, visas, and related costs. 

• UNIDO does not charge any fees at any stage of the internship application or recruitment process.  

CORE 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.

LEARNING ELEMENTS

• Become acquainted with the most up-to-date technical, economic and industrial developments in the relevant field of specialization of the TCS/CMP/CTI. Furthermore, the intern is expected to deepen their knowledge in the fields of new product/services and process design.
• Gain experience in data research, climate adaptation, climate policy.
• On the job training: participation in every phase of the working process.
• Gain experience in working effectively in a diverse and multi-cultural environment.

UNIDO Interns are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity at all times, both at work and outside. Only candidates who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for internships at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted through the UNIDO Online Recruitment System.
Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process.

Visit the UNIDO employment website for details on how to apply: www.careers.unido.org

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: internship@unido.org