Date: UNIDO ScaleX Programme Expert
โโRequisition ID: 5221
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. 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 in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organizationโs 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 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, 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 UNIDOโs 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, UNIDOโs 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, the ScaleX Programme Expert will be responsible for leading the development, implementation, and expansion of the ScaleX programme. The incumbent will coordinate multi-stakeholder partnerships, oversee testbeds and policy sandboxes, and support the overall strategic direction of the programme. In particular, the incumbent will perform the following key functions:
Programme Development and Implementation
- Co-lead the design and operationalization of ScaleX, ensuring the programme framework aligns with UNIDOโs strategic priorities and the needs of target markets.
- Develop and refine structured models for testbeds and policy sandboxes to support SMEs in scaling innovative industrial solutions.
- Oversee the selection and engagement of startups, scaleups, and SMEs participating in ScaleX initiatives.
Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships
- Manage partnerships with relevant public and private sector stakeholders, including governments, multinational enterprises, development finance institutions, and innovation hubs.
- Foster collaborations with policymakers to facilitate regulatory adaptation and policy sandboxing mechanisms.
- Represent ScaleX in relevant international forums and innovation-focused events.
Testbed and Policy Sandbox Coordination
- Oversee the establishment and operation of testbeds in selected pilot countries, ensuring their sustainability and scalability.
- Develop methodologies for tracking and evaluating the impact of testbeds on technology adoption and SME growth.
- Guide host governments in implementing policy sandbox initiatives to create enabling environments for scaling industrial innovations.
Resource Mobilization and Funding Strategy
- Co-develop a resource mobilization strategy to secure co-financing from public and private sector partners.
- Identify funding opportunities from development partners, multilateral institutions, and impact investors to support programme expansion.
- Monitor funding utilization, ensuring financial sustainability and compliance with UNIDO guidelines.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
- Co-define key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of ScaleX testbeds and policy sandboxes.
- Develop periodic reports, case studies, and policy recommendations based on programme insights.
- Ensure continuous learning and adaptation by incorporating feedback from stakeholders and participants.
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Education: Advanced university degree (Masterโs or equivalent) in business administration, innovation management, international development, industrial policy, engineering, or a related field is required.
Technical and Functional Experience:
- At least five (5) years of relevant experience in managing innovation acceleration programmes, industrial development initiatives, or startup ecosystems is required.