Apply now »

Title:  Intern (Innovative Finance and International Financial Institutions)

​​Requisition ID: 6760 
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: 27-Nov-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

 

Vacancy Announcement
 

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 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 to a greater or lesser extent to all SDGs.

 

The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) is UNIDO’s core strategic document. As the Organization moves from the 2022–2025 cycle to the 2026–2029 MTPF, it sets a renewed vision to support Member States shape their industries for development. The new priorities include renewable and clean energy, sustainable access and climate action, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, and fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains. 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 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, Sub-regional Offices and Country Offices.

 

Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with relevant organizational entities, 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 cooperation concepts, identifying new sources and means of innovative 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.

 

Under the supervision of the Managing Director, Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), and in close coordination with other organizational entities within UNIDO, the Division of Innovative Finance and International Financial Institutions (IET/IFI) is responsible for extending and scaling up UNIDO’s funding basis. It conceptualizes, identifies, develops and deploys innovative finance instruments and programmatic partnerships with the private sector and IFIs to catalyse and leverage investments in sustainable industrial development in line with the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement. Targeted financial institutions include multilateral, regional and national development banks with international operations; and international efforts to improve the coordination of development finance flows as well as private financing initiatives engaged in innovative projects for sustainable industrial development, bridging the gap between investors, entrepreneurs and project developers.

 
GENERIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

The Intern shall work under the direct supervision of an officer designated by the Chief of Division and shall be engages as follows:

 

a. Exposed to the regular core functions of the Division 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:

 

  • Support strategic engagements with selected financial institutions by: 
    • Identifying and analyzing priority projects for potential cooperation, including collecting and consolidating key information for internal and external use;
    • Assisting in partner outreach, including preparing briefing notes, exchanging relevant documentation, and following up on joint initiatives;
    • Contributing to the organization of meetings, workshops, and events to advance dialogue and partnership development.

 

  • Support the development of a policy framework, internal guidelines and training materials to strengthen the Division’s coordinating role in the area of financial mechanisms, including: 
    • A strategic approach for the integration and use of financial mechanisms in UNIDO projects and programmes;
    • A policy framework outlining principles, roles and responsibilities, coordination processes, implementation modalities, and cooperation models with financial institutions;
    • Capacity-building modules and knowledge-sharing tools designed to enhance internal awareness and staff competencies on the use of financial instruments across UNIDO operations.

 

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: Development finance, finance, economics, international development, public administration, business administration, international relations, sustainable development or related.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.

Other skills: Strong analytical and research skills, excellent written and verbal communication, organizational and time management skills, understanding of financial instruments and development cooperation.

 

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 receive a monthly stipend based on their duty station.
  • Interns are responsible for living expenses, accommodation, visas, and related costs.

 

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 Division of Innovative Finance and International Financial Institutions. Furthermore, he/she is expected to deepen his/her knowledge in the fields of new product/services and process design.
  • Gain experience in climate finance specific financial mechanisms and engagements with development finance institutions
  • 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

Apply now »