Project Associate

 ​​Requisition ID: 8170 
Grade: ISA-P1 
Country: Austria 
Duty Station: Vienna 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 6 months
Application Deadline: 27-Oct-2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

 

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNIDO is fully committed to achieving and maintaining workforce gender parity and to fostering an open, accessible, inclusive and respectful workplace that values diversity, equal opportunity and a healthy work-life balance. UNIDO, therefore, welcomes and encourages applications from qualified candidates of underrepresented genders, candidates from less-represented regions or nationalities, and candidates with disabilities, for whom reasonable accommodation will be provided in accordance with applicable policies.

 

 

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

 

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty and hunger reduction, inclusive and fair 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, the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019 as well as the Riyadh Declaration adopted at the twenty-first session of UNIDO General Conference in 2025, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Member States. The relevance of this mission 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 inclusive and sustainable industrial development, however, applies to all SDGs.

 

The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) 2026 - 2029 is UNIDO’s core strategic document and it is in line with UNIDO’s Vision 2050. It sets a renewed vision to support Member States and shape their industries for development. The priorities include fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, renewable and clean energy, sustainable energy access and climate action. 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 UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards-related activities; and (iv) convening and fostering partnerships for knowledge and technology transfer, investment mobilization, 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.

 

Under the supervision of the Managing Director of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), and in close coordination with other organizational entities within UNIDO, the Division of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG) contributes to greener and more circular industries and products by minimizing both resource use along value chains and the emission of pollutants to the environment. The Division promotes just transitions to circular economies, reduced release of pollutants into the environment and other green industrial and economic approaches to help Member States to grow economically while simultaneously addressing the three planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It promotes circular economy policies, programmes and practices including circular business models that improve the profitability of industries while creating social and environmental benefits. It does so by supporting resource efficiency increases in the manufacturing and use of products along value chains and during the life cycle of the product; by reducing or eliminating the emission of non-fuel-related greenhouse gas emissions; and by assisting in achieving the objectives of and compliance with multilateral environmental agreements. In doing so, its activities further improve competitiveness, as well as the development of and access to markets, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. This contributes to climate-neutral, resilient, pollution-free industrial development, supporting co-existence that is in harmony with nature.

 

This position is located under the Circular Resource Efficiency Unit (TCS/CEG/CRE), which is responsible for supporting capacity development to promote the adoption of circular and resource-efficient consumption and production patterns across value chains. It fosters circular economy solutions including policies, programmes, practices, and business models that enhance industry profitability while generating social and environmental benefits. Furthermore, it facilitates design for circularity emphasizing reduced or alternative materials inputs, greater durability, reusability, reparability, and ultimately recyclability. The Unit promotes nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches that support the coexistence of industries and nature.

 

 

PROJECT CONTEXT

 

The position is located within the project “Climate and Biodiversity Action through Circular Economy Solutions (CB-ACES)” (Project ID: 240030), funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Government.

The overall objective of the project is to reduce negative impacts on climate and biodiversity by transforming selected sectors and value chains in the partner countries Brazil, Mexico and South Africa towards a socially just circular economy (CE).

CB-ACES operates across five mutually reinforcing outputs: Output I strengthens the policy and regulatory environment for CE in alignment with national climate and biodiversity commitments and international supply chain requirements; Output II builds the capacity of firms, intermediaries, and government actors to design and implement CE practices in priority sectors; Output III implements and documents CE business models with selected pilot firms, focusing on SMEs, women-led enterprises, and cooperatives; Output IV addresses the finance gap by assessing the CE finance landscape, building capacity among financial institutions, and structuring pilot business cases for bankability; and Output V delivers gender-responsive capacity building, networks, and knowledge products across all project components.

 

 

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

 

Under the supervision of the Project Manager and in close collaboration with the project team, the incumbent applies basic professional knowledge and administrative skills to support technical cooperation activities. The assignment provides an opportunity to develop a broad understanding of the interrelated programme, project, and administrative functions that contribute to the implementation of technical cooperation activities in a specific sector, geographical area, or project. The incumbent shall perform the following duties and contribute to the delivery of the specified outputs:

 

• Compile general background information from readily available sources, on economic and social factors for an assigned sector, area, country or programme/project: design and draft supporting flow charts, schedules, graphs and tables; coordinate the collection and verification of documents, actions and data with substantive or support units, assemble and edit basic data required for planning and negotiation, in format dictated by agenda or supervisor's instructions, check project documents for clarity, consistency and completeness; 

 

• Describe progress of ongoing project/s, investigate designated project activities, discuss findings with supervisor to identify implications for the work of the project unit, discuss rationale and context of project activities, consider the alternative methods for project design, management, problem identification and problem resolution;  

 

• Maintain institutional memories or other documentation systems to record project/programme, history and ongoing activities; 

 

• Assist in monitoring exercises related to the project execution, retrieve substantive information on status of project, outcome, output, key performance indicators (KPIs), risks, etc. from the SAP Portfolio and Project Management (PPM) module; 

 

• Draft reports, ad-hoc assignments and research activities, as required; 

 

• Arrange briefings, tours, and related activities for visitors, missions and fellowship holders. 

 

 

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

 

Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in engineering, sciences, economics, business administration, international relations or other relevant discipline is required.

 

Technical and Functional Experience:

• A minimum of one (1) year of professional experience in coordinating the implementation of development/technical cooperation programmes/projects, is required.
• Project management experience in the area of circular economy or a related field is required.
• Technical and/or project management experience at the intersection of circular economy, climate change mitigation or biodiversity protection in industry is desirable.
• Experience in working within large project consortia comprised of international organizations and other partner institutions is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with government institutions, private sector, and civil society organizations is required.
• Experience with results-based monitoring and evaluation frameworks for development projects is desirable.
• Knowledge of gender-responsive and socially inclusive approaches to technical cooperation is desirable.
• Experience and proficiency in using Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) is required.
• Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP), such as recruitment, procurement and financial monitoring and reporting, as well as relevant ERP software, is desirable.
• Experience in financial monitoring, budget administration, or expenditure verification, ideally within an international organization or donor-funded technical cooperation project, is desirable.

 

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency or working knowledge of Portuguese and/or Spanish is desirable.

 

CORE VALUES AND BEHAVIORS

 

Core Values

 

EXCELLENCE – Deliver high-quality results; continuously improve performance.

INTEGRITY – Uphold ethical standards; act transparently and responsibly.

INCLUSION – Promote respect, diversity, and fairness.

HUMILITY – Show self-awareness; value others’ contributions.

HUMANITY – Act with compassion; align work with sustainable development.

 

Core Behaviors

 

CONNECT & COLLABORATE – Build trust through effective communication and teamwork; share knowledge and embrace diversity.

ANALYSE & PLAN – Use data and evidence to inform decision-making; plan proactively and prioritize effectively.

DELIVER RESULTS WITH POSITIVE IMPACT – Take ownership and deliver high-quality outputs; align work with UNIDO’s mission and objectives.

LEARN AND DEVELOP – Continuously develop skills and capabilities; seek feedback and share knowledge with others.

ADAPT AND INNOVATE – Respond flexibly to change; embrace innovation and new approaches

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.

 

Integrity, Respect and Inclusion

UNIDO is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, diversity, inclusion and mutual respect. Employees of UNIDO are required at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity. UNIDO prohibits all forms of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority, and discrimination.

 

Through people-centred policies, UNIDO supports its personnel in balancing professional and personal responsibilities through flexible working arrangements while maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations worldwide.

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