Title: Lead Expert on Industry 4.0 transformation methodology and programme design
โโRequisition ID: 6796
Grade: ISA-P4
Country: Home Based
Duty Station: Home Based
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Non-Staff WAE
Contract Duration: 45 Days over a period
Application Deadline: 18-Dec-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 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. UNIDOโs mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to โBuild resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovationโ. The relevance of ISID, however, applies to a greater or lesser extent to all SDGs.
The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) is UNIDOโs core strategic document. As the Organization moves from the 2022โ2025 cycle to the 2026โ2029 MTPF, it sets a renewed vision to support Member States shape their industries for development. The new priorities include renewable and clean energy, sustainable access and climate action, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, and fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains. 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 UNIDOโs 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, Sub-regional Offices 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. The Directorate is responsible for the Division of Industrial Policy Advice and Capacity Development (TCS/IPC), and technical Divisions of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG), Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA), Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP); MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI). Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, TCS collaborates closely with IET 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 Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI) promotes digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence as well as associated technologies as part of innovation ecosystems consisting of productive capacities in manufacturing, services and digital firms, with the purpose to advance the competitiveness of industries and manufacturing firms in Member States. It helps industries to benefit from the rapid progress in digital and convergent technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), ensuring a smooth transition towards safe and secured cyber- physical industrial systems and a smart society and mitigating any negative adverse effects on employment and quality of work. Through the Division's services, the productive transformation is the key, by integrating industrial businesses, dynamic entrepreneurship, and acceleration services, and by applying technological innovation to smart manufacturing, smart energy, smart agribusiness and others, in developing countries, transition and emerging economies, with emphasis in developing countries to provide the opportunity to technologically catch up instead of falling behind industries in more advanced countries.
PROJECT CONTEXT
ID 230258 - Fostering Industry 4.0 for green transition and circular economy in the Western Balkans: In the context of the innovation Agenda for Europe and the smart specialization, in order to support the Western Balkans in benefiting from the rapid development of frontier technologies and to strengthen linkages between science and business in the region, UNIDO proposes to foster regional economic and industrial integration and inclusion of emerging innovation ecosystems of Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership into a wider EU economic and technological landscape. Following the establishment of the Smart Manufacturing Innovation Center (SMIC) in Novi Sad in the First Phase (ID200037) of the project, the proposed phase (II Phase, ID230258) seeks to bridge the initial establishment of the Center with the broader regional engagement plan, targeting Serbia and the wider Western Balkans. Under the umbrella of the UNIDO regional strategy for Western Balkans (in close collaboration with GLO/RFO/EUR team), fostering the productive sector SMEs of Western Balkans, the proposed phase will support the Government of Slovenia in its efforts for implementation of Slovenian Development Strategy 2030, supporting entrepreneurship in priority sectors, leveraging the Slovenian industrial sectorโs expertise leadership in Western Balkans in partnership with UNIDO and Serbia. It will build on Slovenia's support to lay the groundwork and develop a comprehensive proposal for the subsequent large-scale initiative focused on Industry 4.0, the green transition and circular economy to be developed in close cooperation with the European Union as one of the key potential partners (Phase III).
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the close supervision of the Project Manager at Headquarters, and in close cooperation with other international and national experts involved in the initiative, the Lead Expert on Industry 4.0 transformation methodology and programme design shall work on the following duties:
Days
Main duties
Concrete measurable Outputs to be achieved
Expected duration
Location
10 days
Project activity 2.1 - Develop the โFactory of the Futureโ transformation methodology
Design a comprehensive โFactory of the Futureโ transformation methodology Develop a strategic and methodological framework that serves as the foundation for the entire SMIC Transformation Toolkit. This โFactory of the Futureโ methodology will function as the overarching document defining the conceptual structure, logic, and process flow guiding SME transformation toward next-generation, smart, and sustainable factories. It should clearly describe: (i) the overall transformation approach and SME progression along the digital and green maturity path; (ii) the role of SME advisors in facilitating this process; (iii) the interlinkages among all toolkit components (Maturity Scan, Transformation Plan, Implementation Journey Guide, and Training & Certification Programme); (iv) the governance and support mechanisms, including matchmaking between SMEs and certified advisors; and (v) the seven key transformation areas: (1) advanced manufacturing technologies; (2) digital factory; (3) eco factory; (4) end-to-end customer-focused engineering; (5) human-centred organization; (6) smart manufacturing; and (7) value-chain-oriented open factory. The methodology should act as a one-stop strategic document providing the conceptual and operational basis for implementing the Industry 4.0 accelerator programme and guiding SME advisors throughout the transformation journey.February โ June 2026
Home based
30 days
Project activity 2.2 - Develop โFactory of the Futureโ transformation toolkit
Develop โFactory of the Futureโ transformation toolkita. Advanced Manufacturing Maturity Scan: Design and prototype a comprehensive assessment tool for evaluating manufacturing SMEsโ digital transformation maturity across the seven transformation areas. Define clear indicators, scoring criteria, assessment logic, and benchmarking methodology. Produce all necessary technical and functional specifications for the future development of a web-based assessment tool.
b. Transformation Plan Methodology and Template: Create a structured approach and standardized template to guide SMEs in analysing their current performance, identifying transformation opportunities, and prioritizing areas for improvement. Ensure the plan integrates technological, environmental, and social sustainability dimensions.
c. Implementation Journey Guide: Develop a detailed guide to support SME advisors in translating transformation plans into actionable steps. Include practical tools and examples for setting measurable objectives, defining milestones, and monitoring progress along the SME transformation journey.
d. Training Programme and Certification Procedure for SME Advisors: Design a comprehensive training and certification framework for SME advisors, including training modules (covering all seven transformation areas), learning outcomes, delivery methods, and assessment procedures. Define the certification process, criteria, and quality assurance mechanisms.
February โ June 2026
Home based
4 days
Project activity 2.3 - Pilot the transformation toolkit and accelerator programme
Pilot the Transformation Toolkit and Accelerator Programme Deliver a three-day train-the-trainers workshop for a minimum of 10 experts to become certified SME advisors. Facilitate feedback collection to refine the methodology and toolkit. Support the launch of a pilot accelerator programme for 10 manufacturing SMEs to test the developed methodology and tools, with each SME receiving tailored advisory support and transformation planning. Prepare a summary report capturing lessons learned, feedback, and recommendations for scaling up the programme.February โ June 2026
Serbia
1 day
General
Any other ad hoc task related to the overall work plan of the project, reporting and outreach activities as specified by the Project Manager. Prepare a final report, as per UNIDO standard, on the activities undertaken during the assignment period, inclusive of recommendations and way forward and submit to UNIDO. Adโhoc tasks efficiently completed. Final report including recommendations and the way forward submitted.Continuously over the period
Home based
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Education: Advanced university degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Systems, Economics, Innovation/Technology Management, or another relevant discipline is required.