Title: Programme Administrator
Requisition ID: 7833
Grade: ISA-P2
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 4.5 months with possibility of extension
Application Deadline: 30-Jul-2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)
Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
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 SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET) 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 technical cooperation concepts, identifying new sources and means of finance and entering into new partnerships with a broad range of relevant stakeholders. The Directorate houses the Divisions of Quality, Impact and Accountability (IET/QUA), Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR), Innovative Finance and International Financial Institutions (IET/IFI), Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST), Public-Private Partnerships (IET/PPP), and Climate and Technology Partnerships (IET/CTP). The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions and relevant entities in the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), Directorate of Strategic Planning, Programming and Policy (SPP) and the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS).
The position is located in the Office of the Managing Director (IET/OMD). The Programme Administrator is expected to provide programme liaison, analytical and operational backstopping to the OMD in ensuring the effective coordination of the Directorate's activities, facilitating corporate reporting processes, supporting strategic planning, monitoring implementation of priorities, and strengthening communication across the Directorate and with other organizational entities.
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervisor of the Executive Officer of IET, and in close collaboration with the OMD team,
the incumbent shall carry out following main duties:
- Select, organize and analyse information from across the Directorate to prepare background materials, briefing notes and analytical summaries on strategic, operational and corporate matters concerning the Directorate.
- Draft sections of strategic documents, management reports, presentations, speeches, talking points, correspondence and other materials prepared by the Office of the Managing Director.
- Coordinate the collection, consolidation and quality review of inputs from IET divisions for corporate planning, reporting, oversight and other organizational exercises, ensuring consistency with established guidelines and deadlines.
- Prepare analytical comments, management summaries and status reports on Directorate performance, programme implementation and other designated areas as inputs to senior management decision-making and corporate reporting.
- Maintain and update tracking systems, dashboards and management information tools covering Directorate priorities, key deliverables, reporting obligations and organizational commitments.
- Contribute to the substantive preparation of senior management meetings, consultations, missions and other high-level engagements, including agendas, background documentation, minutes and follow-up actions.
- Draft internal communication materials and coordinate internal communication activities.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by the Executive Officer.
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Advanced university degree(master’s or equivalent) in International Relations/Development, Economics, Public Administration, Industrial Development or other relevant discipline, is required.
Technical and Functional Experience
At least three (3) years of work experience in area relevant for the recruiting office is required, of which minimum 2 years in programme coordination and international development is desirable . Ability to research and analyse information is required. Exposure to the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries is desirable. Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, is desirable. Experience within the United Nations system or another international organization is desirable.
Experience supporting senior management is an asset.
Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.
CORE VALUES AND BEHAVIORS AND FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCE
Core Values
Excellence – Deliver high-quality results; continuously improve performance.
Integrity – Uphold ethical standards; act transparently and responsibly.
Inclusion – Promote respect, diversity, and fairness.
Humility – Show self-awareness; value others’ contributions.
Humanity – Act with compassion; align work with sustainable development
Core Behaviors
Connect & Collaborate - Build trust through communication and teamwork; Share knowledge and embrace diversity.
Analyse & Plan - Use data and evidence for decision-making; Plan proactively and prioritize effectively.
Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Take ownership and deliver quality outputs; Align work with UNIDO mission and objectives.
Learn and Develop - Continuously develop skills; Seek feedback and share knowledge.
Adapt and Innovate - Respond flexibly to change; Embrace innovation and new approaches.
This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal.
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 website for details on how to apply: www.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