Title: Industrial Development Expert

​Requisition ID: 5431
Grade: L4
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
Category: Project-funded Professional and higher
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Staff-Full-time
Appointment Type: Fixed Term - 200 series
Indicative Minimum Net Annual Salary: 128,786 USD
Application Deadline: 19-May-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
THE APPOINTMENT IS LIMITED TO THE SPECIFIED PROJECT(S) ONLY AND DOES NOT CARRY ANY EXPECTATION OF RENEWAL.
Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
Detailed information on the project can be found at UNIDO’s Open Data Platform: https://open.unido.org/

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.

At the L4 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.

Project/Programme Context

(Pipeline) Institutional Framework for Agribusiness Development in Madagascar: The purpose of the project is to facilitate the rapid delivery of technical assistance to the Ministry of Industrialization and Commerce in its agro-park and agribusiness-based industrial development in Madagascar.

(Pipeline) Planning design and technical assistance for the establishment of an integrated agro-food park in Kyrgyzstan: Support the Kyrgyz government in its plans to establish an agro-industrial park in a selected location, including pre-investment studies and public sector capacity building.

(Pipeline) Supporting the development of Agro-Industrial Parks in Kenya: The project complement the government’s County Aggregation and Industrial Park initiative through increasing investment in agriculture and agribusiness in Kenya.

The ATCMA ECOWAS Programme aims to boost intra-African and EU-Africa trade by enhancing market access and MSME competitiveness in key value chains. It addresses trade barriers, strengthens quality infrastructure and standards, promotes value addition, and improves business environments. Led by UNIDO and ITC, the initiative fosters regional integration, innovation, and inclusive economic growth across West Africa.

The ATCMA COMESA Programme aims to boost intra-African and EU-Africa trade by enhancing market access and MSME competitiveness in key value chains. It addresses trade barriers, strengthens quality infrastructure and standards, promotes value addition, examines cross-border agro-industrial parks and improves business environments. Led by UNIDO and ITC, the initiative fosters regional integration, innovation, and inclusive economic growth across West Africa.

Functional Responsibilities

The Industrial Development Expert works under the overall guidance of the Chief of the Division IET/AGR/RAP; the direct supervision of the project manager and in close collaboration with the colleagues to support the mandate of the Division. She/he will be responsible for providing technical support to the smooth and timely execution of projects and be accountable for the achievement of project results as/if assigned. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Programme Development: Lead the conceptualization, development and formulation of technical cooperation projects/programmes in the area of agro-industrial park development and management, infrastructure development, centre of excellence establishment and farmer-industry linkages, in line with the guidelines and procedures governing the delivery of UNIDO services and obtain internal approval. Propose new initiatives or changes to ensure that the Organization’s practices are current and reflect state-of-the-art approaches and up-to-date technical and management practices.

Programme Implementation: Coordinate and manage the implementation/execution 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 the 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. Propose, for the Chief’s and Director’s approval, the annual work programme, including providing leadership in teamwork and close monitoring of each stage of programme/project development and implementation.