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Date:  Testbed & Policy Sandbox Expert

​​Requisition ID: 5269 
Grade: ISA-Specialist 
Country: Austria 
Duty Station: Vienna 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 1 year with the possibility of extension
Application Deadline: 24-Mar-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

 

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Female candidates are 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 Corporate Services and Operations (COR), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible and accountable for the management of UNIDO’s human, financial and material resources, ensuring the capacity of the Organization to fulfil its mandate. The Directorate oversees a full range of corporate services to meet the support needs of the Organization, acts as a custodian for corporate management policies, and promotes a culture of cooperation, service orientation and corporate excellence throughout the Organization to deliver efficient and effective high-quality work and enable tangible impact on the ground to achieve ISID worldwide.

 

The Directorate manages the functions of the Ethics and Accountability Unit (COR/EAU), the Risk Management and Compliance Unit (COR/RCU), the Divisions of Financial Resource Management (COR/FIN) and Human Resources Management (COR/HRM), as well as the following Services: Procurement Services (COR/PRO); Digitalization, Innovation and TC Optimization Services (COR/DIT); Facility Management Services (COR/BMS); and Asset Management and Logistics Services (COR/AML). The Directorate also manages personnel security and safety matters. The Directorate ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant organizational entities in all Directorates across the Organization.

 

UNIDO InnoLab

 

The position is located under the Innovation Lab (COR/DIT/LAB). The UNIDO Innovation Lab (InnoLab) focuses on enabling organization-wide platform for advancing industrial innovation and digital transformation, with a dual mandate:

  • Supporting internal UNIDO teams by integrating innovation methodologies and digital tools into technical cooperation projects and policy work.
  • Designing and implementing standalone innovation programmes that leverage emerging technologies, new business models, and multi-stakeholder partnerships to scale transformative industrial solutions globally.

 

As part of its portfolio, InnoLab leads ScaleX, UNIDO’s new flagship global innovation acceleration programme, aimed at de-risking market entry and scaling for startups, scaleups, and SMEs in emerging and frontier markets. ScaleX provides structured pathways to commercial adoption and investment readiness through:

 

  • Real-world testbeds, where companies can validate their technologies and business models in live market conditions.
  • Policy sandboxes, enabling regulatory experimentation to help governments adapt policies and create conducive environments for innovation.
  • Corporate-backed validation, engaging multinational enterprises (MNEs), local industry leaders, and development finance institutions (DFIs) to accelerate technology adoption and commercialization.

 

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Under the supervision of the Head of the UNIDO Innovation Lab and guidance of the ScaleX Programme Manager, the Testbed & Policy Sandbox Expert will oversee the design, implementation, and management of ScaleX testbeds and policy sandbox initiatives. The incumbent will facilitate the deployment of innovative industrial solutions, support host governments in regulatory adaptation, and ensure effective collaboration with industry, investors, and policymakers. In particular, the incumbent will perform the following key functions:

 

Testbed Development & Management

  • Support the design, setup, and operation of real-world testbeds across multiple geographies, ensuring alignment with industry needs and government priorities.
  • Work with startups, SMEs, and corporate partners to identify and deploy scalable solutions in testbed environments.
  • Develop and implement performance-tracking frameworks to assess the viability and impact of testbed activities.
  • Facilitate cross-border knowledge sharing between testbeds to optimize scaling pathways and best practices.

Policy Sandbox Implementation

  • Coordinate with host governments to design and implement policy sandbox initiatives that foster policy learning and adaptation for new technologies.
  • Engage regulators, policymakers, and industry associations to ensure effective participation in sandbox activities.
  • Support the development of guidelines based on insights gained from policy sandbox experiments.
  • Provide technical assistance to policymakers in structuring innovation-friendly regulations that balance risk and market growth.

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

  • Liaise with corporate partners, innovation hubs, and industry associations to facilitate testbed participation.
  • Work closely with UNIDO country offices, national governments, and development finance institutions to establish and fund testbeds.
  • Develop partnerships with academia and research institutions to strengthen the analytical and evidence-based approach to policy sandboxing.
  • Represent ScaleX in policy dialogues and innovation forums.

Monitoring, Learning & Knowledge Sharing

  • Track the outcomes and impact of testbeds and policy sandboxes, ensuring alignment with ScaleX objectives.
  • Collect and analyze lessons learned, publishing insights on testbed effectiveness, policy adaptation, and technology deployment.
  • Develop case studies and policy recommendations for scaling best practices across multiple geographies.

Ensure continuous improvement of testbed and policy sandbox frameworks through data-driven insights.

 

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in public policy, innovation management, regulatory affairs, business administration, industrial engineering, or a related field is required.

 

Technical and Functional Experience:

  • At least five (5) years of relevant experience in managing innovation support programmes, including testbeds, policy sandboxes, or industrial innovation programmes is required.
  • Experience working with governments, regulators, or industry bodies on technology adoption policies and regulatory adaptation is required.
  • Familiarity with industrial innovation frameworks, including policy experimentation, technology validation, and innovation financing is desired.
  • Strong track record in coordinating multi-stakeholder projects, particularly those involving startups, corporates, and government agencies is desired.
  • Knowledge of public-private partnerships (PPPs), especially in innovation and industrial development is desired.
  • Experience in impact measurement for regulatory and market access initiatives is an asset.

 

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

 

REQUIRED 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.

 


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

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