Date: Intern
Requisition ID: 5351
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: 25-Mar-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 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 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.
Under the supervision of the Managing Director of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), and in close coordination with other organizational entities within UNIDO, the Division of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG) contributes to greener and more circular industries and products by minimizing both resource use along value chains and the emission of pollutants to the environment. The Division promotes just transitions to circular economies, reduced release of pollutants into the environment and other green industrial and economic approaches to help Member States to grow economically while simultaneously addressing the three planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It promotes circular economy policies, programmes and practices including circular business models that improve the profitability of industries while creating social and environmental benefits. It does so by supporting resource efficiency increases in the manufacturing and use of products along value chains and during the life cycle of the product; by reducing or eliminating the emission of non-fuel-related greenhouse gas emissions; and by assisting in achieving the objectives of and compliance with multilateral environmental agreements. In doing so, its activities further improve competitiveness, as well as the development of and access to markets, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. This contributes to climate-neutral, resilient, pollution-free industrial development, supporting co-existence that is in harmony with nature.
This internship position is located under the Circular Resource Efficiency Unit (TCS/CEG/CRE), which is responsible for supporting capacity development to promote the adoption of circular and resource-efficient consumption and production patterns across value chains. It fosters circular economy solutions including policies, programmes, practices, and business models that enhance industry profitability while generating social and environmental benefits. Furthermore, it facilitates design for circularity emphasizing reduced or alternative materials inputs, greater durability, reusability, reparability, and ultimately recyclability. The Unit promotes nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches that support the coexistence of industries and nature.
The duration of an internship at UNIDO is between three to six months, is UNPAID and full-timeThe duration of an internship at UNIDO is between three to six months, is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work under the supervision of a staff member, in the division or office that they are assigned to. Interns shall cover all costs associated with their internship, including visa, travel to and from the duty station, insurance, transportation, accommodation and living expenses.. Interns work under the supervision of a staff member, in the division or office that they are assigned to. Interns shall cover all costs associated with their internship, including visa, travel to and from the duty station, insurance, transportation, accommodation and living expenses.
PROJECT CONTEXT
The global “SWITCH to circular economy value chains” (SWITCH2CE) project (ID 190161) aims to support enterprises within selected value chains to adopt circular economy practices. The project recognises that the application of circular economy practices requires coherent practices by all actors of the value chains, from SMEs to leading companies in the global value chains. Close cooperation is required for multinational companies and SME suppliers in developing countries to meet their circularity goals.
This “last mile” of working with their suppliers in the developing economies is difficult for multinationals in global value and supply chains. However, at the same time, a multinational company has sufficient influence and resources to encourage, assist and/or convince the private sector in a developing country to make the necessary changes to their practices to become more circular in order to keep acting as their supplier.
The project is assisting tier 1, 2 and, when feasible, tier 3 suppliers of EU Multinational Companies (MNCs) to make the switch towards circularity: such suppliers face significant challenges (technical and financial) in adopting new circular economy practices and the project is aimed at supporting them in this process.
The overall objective of the project is to support the “Transformation towards a circular economy”, including to contribute to sustainable growth, low carbon and climate resilient development, decent jobs creation, and safer, healthier and pollution-free environment.
The value chains of focus are Plastic Packaging, Textiles & Garments and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sectors, and pilot projects are ongoing in Bangladesh (with H&M Group and BESTSELLER), in Egypt (with Orange and Nokia) and in Morocco (with Equatorial Coca Cola Bottling Company).
GENERIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Intern shall be engaged as follows:
- Exposed to the regular core functions of TCS/CEG/CRE 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.
- Engaged in a specific self-contained assignment described below:
- Following the High-Level Delegation meeting between UNIDO and Flanders in December 2024, the intern will analyze the synergies between the policy priorities of the Flemish Region and the strategic priorities of UNIDO, with a view to prioritizing areas of cooperation.
- In addition, the intern will be involved in the mentioned SWITCH2CE project as per the needs and the interest of the intern. The intern will be encouraged to identify a self-contained assignment that contributes to the goals of the Division and the Unit, and could for example include a focused analysis on a specific sub-component of the SWITCH2CE project, or the conceptualization of a follow-up project and assist in the identification of relevant funding sources (taking into account where relevant the directions from the recently published report on "Strategic Insights for further developing and strengthening Flemish relations with Africa")
- 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 UNIDO Internship Coordination.
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Age: Minimum 20 years on the first day of the internship.
Education: Enrolled in a university degree programme; or begin the internship within one year of completing a university degree; or completed a university degree and be sponsored as part of an academic or development programme.
Field of specialization: engineering, economics, sciences, sustainable development, circular economy.
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: Interest in international cooperation and developing economies as well as in circular economy is an asset.
For this internship you may receive a grant through the Flanders Trainee Programme, if you meet the following criteria:
- Be 34 years or younger on the starting date of the internship
- Have obtained a diploma of a Flemish educational institution
More information can be found on the website of Flanders Trainee Programme. Please note that candidates are individually responsible to request the grant from the Flanders Trainee Programme; UNIDO has no responsibility in the allocation of the grant.
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 TCS/CEG/CRE. Furthermore, he/she is expected to deepen his/her knowledge in the fields of new product/services and process design.
Gain experience in the design and implementation of technical cooperation projects in the field of circular economy and green transition.
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