Title: Industrial Development Officer

Requisition ID: 5769
Grade: P4
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
Category: Professional and Higher
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Staff-Full-time
Appointment Type: Fixed Term - 100 series
Indicative Minimum Net Annual Salary: 126,669 USD
Application Deadline: 13-Jun-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
Female candidates from all Member States are particularly 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 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.

The position is located under the Division of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR). IET/AGR supports Member States in their efforts to pave the way to sustainable rural development and a structurally transformed and modernized agribusiness sector. Capitalizing on the experience gained by UNIDO in this field over decades and on tried-and-tested and to-be-developed service modules, the Division will explore innovative approaches to maximize the potential that exists in agribusiness development, addressing emerging global trends, in particular food security, poverty alleviation and climate change. It will explore new ways to contribute to global efforts to reduce hunger, accelerate food systems transformation, and generate income and employment, especially among women and youth.

Within IET/AGR, the Rural Development, Agro-industries and Industrial Parks Unit (IET/AGR/RAP) aims to improve rural livelihoods by extending and professionalizing agro-industrial production, infrastructure supply and employment. It provides TC services to develop formal and informal enterprises and entrepreneurs that produce and source agricultural products – directly or through business development service agents – with support for business planning, technology adoption, investment planning, product improvement, quality compliance and marketing. The Unit also promotes the planning for the development of the infrastructure for the transportation of intermediary and final products and related basic infrastructure required for agro-processing and value addition, making use, among others, of sustainable agro-industrial park development schemes.

The Industrial Development Officer works under the overall guidance of the Director, Division of of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development; the direct supervision of the Chief of the Unit; and in close collaboration with the colleagues to support the mandate of the Division.

At the P4 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver (a) work that is innovative and original; (b) in creating an enabling environment which expands across functions and sectors; (c) in building partnerships which result in advocating and championing UNIDO’s programmes and (d) in achieving results within Programme teams. The measure of success is systemic and catalytic delivery of results.

The UNIDO Staff Performance Management System reinforces the collaboration within formal units as well as among cross-functional teams. In this context, the incumbent collaborates with his/her supervisor and colleagues, within as well as outside the unit. Within the formal teams, the incumbent may be expected to backstop other team members as required.

Staff -members are subject to the authority of the Director-General and in this context all staff are expected to serve in any assignment and duty station as determined by the needs of the Organization.

Main Responsibilities

As a team-leader or member, whether on a divisional, cross-functional or cross sectoral level, the incumbent is a subject matter expert who shall carry out the following generic activities to achieve the immediate results of the Division and the outcomes of the Department:

• Programme Development: Lead the conceptualisation, development and formulation of flagship technical cooperation projects/programmes in the area of non food value chains (e.g. textile, leather, innovative materials; sustainable fashion; cotton initiative etc.) and/or mechanization and automation, in line with the guidelines and procedures governing the delivery of UNIDO services, and obtain internal approval. More specifically:
  • Develop programmes for non-food value chains (e.g. textile, leather, innovative materials; fashion etc.) and/or mechanization and automation
  • Develop and implement projects to support the development of sustainable agricultural supplier networks, ensuring finance and input supply to producers and quality and quantity of inputs to processors;
  • Build agro-processing capacities among socially and economically marginalized people, including women, youth and displaced people, in the farm and non-farm sectors, including creative industries;
  • Support the planning, setting up, and implementation of publicly and privately managed pilot processing plants and incubators that can be used as common facilities centres and training hubs for agro-processing and the development of new and improved products and their marketing to buyers;
  • Analyse skills and educational needs of agro-industries and, together with Governments and local institutions and relevant organizational entities, develop and implement vocational training, skills development and education programmes to professionalize entrepreneurs, technicians and workers in specific agro-industries;
  • Strengthen entrepreneurial and technical human capacities and train owners, technicians and workers in agro-industrial enterprises to develop and produce new and improved products and by-products
  • Support agro-industries in adopting skills and schemes for applying good manufacturing practices.
  • Organize and/or co-organize events such as World Cotton Day, or Leather Panel Meetings.

• Programme Implementation: Manage the implementation of projects and programmes, assuming full responsibility for the provision of projects/programme implementation services ensuring that assigned inputs are delivered on time at the right level of quality and within the allocated budget. This will entail the preparation of necessary inputs (consultant job descriptions, terms of reference, training arrangements, equipment specifications, etc.), monitoring progress in implementation, including missions to the project site, as well as taking part in oversight meetings in the field and at headquarters, and assisting the Evaluation Group in its evaluations of projects/programmes. More specifically:

• • Implement programmes and projects for non-food value chains (e.g. textile, leather, innovative materials; fashion etc.) and/or mechanization and automation with focus on sustainability, safety, quality and productivity
  • Implement projects to support the development of sustainable agricultural supplier networks, ensuring finance and input supply to producers and quality and quantity of inputs to processors;
  • Implement projects to support Centers of Excellences including training providers and TVET for non-food value chains;

• Funds Mobilization: Cooperate with other units in-house in the design and planning of resource mobilization strategies and mobilize the funds necessary for project and programme implementation.
• Global Forum Function: Design, plan and organize in cooperation with other units in-house UNIDO global forum activities (conferences, seminars, expert group meetings, etc. Prepare technical papers or other inputs for external seminars, conferences, expert group meetings, etc. Prepares UNIDO publications and other information dissemination aids and tools. Keep abreast of technical and economic developments in fashion, textile, leather and non-food value chains through close contacts with specialized institutions and industry representatives, following the technical press, market developments and trends.
• Advisory Services to Counterparts: As a subject matter expert, provide technical advisory services to counterparts. This includes, among others: commenting on, appraising or revising draft project proposals submitted by requesting Governments; advising Governments on financing institutions, multilateral and bilateral organizations and other strategic partners; and provision of technical advice to strategic partners/donors.
• Perform other related duties and assignments as required by the Chief of the Division or Director of the Department.

Core 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.

Organizational requirements and desirable criteria

Education

Advanced university level degree (master’s or equivalent) in Engineering, Chemistry, Processing Technology or a field of direct relevance to the mandate of the division., is required.

Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the areas of the mandate of the division, including at the international level, involving technical cooperation in developing countries, is required.
• Proven experience in planning, designing, developing and implementing non-food products (e.g. textiles, leather, innovative materials; sustainable fashion; cotton initiative etc.) is required.
• Proven experience in the implementation of sound manufacturing practice in a value chain is required.
• Substantive experience in all phases of the Project Cycle , is required.
• Proven ability to lead teams to achieve demonstrable and high-quality results is required.
• Previous experience in partnership building and resource mobilization is an asset.
• Experience in leading the organization and coordination of Global Forums, Expert groups Meetings is desirable.
• Exposure to the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, is desirable.
• The ability to work in a multi-cultural environment is required.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency in or working knowledge of other official language(s) of the United Nations, is desirable.

For further information on salaries, refer to the International Civil Service Commission website: https://icsc.un.org/

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 careers site for details on how to apply: https://careers.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