Title: Director

Requisition ID: 3610
Grade: D1
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 Annual Salary: 166,350 USD
Application Deadline: 14-Mar-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)

Vacancy Announcement
Female candidates from all Member States are particularly encouraged to apply.

I. 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 Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), headed by a Deputy to the Director General/ Managing Director, is responsible for UNIDO’s relations with Member States and all external partners, including through the policymaking organs. It plays a central role for interaction and collaboration with traditional and non-traditional donors; oversees the regional bureaus as well as the network of established field offices, liaison offices and Investment and Technology Promotion Offices; and supports the implementation of particularly complex projects, programmes and special assignments, thus also fulfilling an important role in safeguarding their quality and the reputation of the Organization.

The Division of ITPOs and Institutional Partnerships (GLO/ITP) links UNIDO’s Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs) with international corporate partners and uses the ITP network to forge, in collaboration with the Division of Public Private Partnerships (IET/PPP) and relevant GLO Divisions, partnerships with the private sector and development partners. It engages in match-making and partnership development at corporate, institutional and political levels to support developing countries and countries with economies in transition in becoming attractive investment locations resulting in increased levels of investments and, through investors and partners that the ITPOs bring to the table, engage in technology exchange partnerships that enable them to adopt new technologies for sustainable industrial development.

The Director reports to the Deputy to the Director General/ Managing Director of the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO). He/She shall manage the work of the ITP Network. Within the specific mandate of the Division, the Director assists the Deputy to the Director General and the Managing Director in the strategic positioning of UNIDO to:

• Effectively accomplish UNIDO’s strategic objectives in relation to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

• Operationalize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) implementation by developing new and strengthening existing partnerships with stakeholders;

• Explore and secure new avenues of financing for UNIDO’s programmatic implementation and operations;

• Strengthen UNIDO’s internal management structures and processes.

Within the broad priorities above and specific direction cascaded downward, the Director shall formulate, cascade, monitor, evaluate and report on the results of the priorities established for the areas under his/her responsibilities.

At the D1 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver:

(a) work that is ground-breaking to UNIDO’s mandate

(b) in creating an enabling environment which is empowering

(c) in building partnerships and institutional relationships

(d) in achieving results that are cross-functional.

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.

The UNIDO Staff Performance Appraisal and 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 Division of ITPOs and Institutional Partnerships (GLO/ITP). Within the formal teams, the incumbent may be expected to backstop other team members, as required.

II. Main Responsibilities

Technical

• In close cooperation with Divisions in GLO, foster increased collaboration across ITPOs and the entire Organization as means of creating effective and strategic investment and technology partnerships, including by playing a unique and critical role in engaging the private sector in the work of UNIDO;
• Establish a programmatic approach for the ITPO network to maximize synergies across the network; determine the orientation and intended results of each office; and provide a governance structure and strategic outlook for the network;
• Promote the establishment of new ITPOs and the expansion and strengthening of the ITP Network, in line with the demands from Members States and coordination with the Division for Funding Partner Relations, as well as through existing and new platforms and global initiatives for engaging institutional and corporate partners;
• Ensure that strategic approaches for the field structure also address and integrate the ITPO and other affiliated institutional networks. In particular, the incumbent shall make and pursue concrete proposals on how ITPOs can contribute to strengthening UNIDO’s presence at the country and regional levels;
• Collaborate with relevant services in-house to foster UNIDO-wide partnership development engaging the ITPOs;
• In collaboration with UNIDO’s Quality, Impact and Accountability Division, promote systematic mechanisms and tools for operationalizing a results-based monitoring and reporting system of ITPO operations;
• Assume a knowledge management function to document best practices and lessons learned in investment and technology promotion and ensure that these are well-documented in the ERP supported central depository of UNIDO and that staff in UNIDO are made aware of their content;
• Enable effective networking, information and knowledge sharing amongst ITPOs and, in cooperation with relevant services in house, plan, design and deliver periodic awareness training sessions covering the outreach and operations of the ITPOs;
• In collaboration with concerned divisions in house, contribute to UNIDO’s global and regional forum activities, facilitate knowledge management and serve as the primary source of information on UNIDO’s experience with ITPOs;
• Foster institutional partnerships with business associations, chambers of industry and commerce, and other private sector bodies and technology or innovation partners especially at the regional and local levels and including for the promotion of start-ups in developing countries, and thereby illustrate the value of collaboration with UNIDO;
• Create linkages and opportunities for operational cooperation between established field offices of UNIDO and the ITPOs, facilitating the collaborative design and implementation of technical cooperation services of the Organizations technical cooperation Divisions;
• In coordination with the Office of Communication, Speeches and the Innovation Lab, oversee, streamline and disseminate advocacy and information material of the ITP network and of the ITPOs;
• Oversee and ensure the implementation of recommendations made by oversight bodies and external/internal auditors.
• Furthermore, support UNIDO’s programmatic approaches and coordinate the implementation of the Programme for Country Partnership in close coordination with Technical divisions, field offices and private sector partners. The ITPO network can be capitalized on for the identification of project partners and investors, especially from the private sector.

Managerial

• Provide leadership in aligning the work programme of the Division with the organizational priorities, and in this context, formulate, cascade, implement and report on the priorities of the Division;
• Manage the financial and human resources assigned to the Division ensuring appropriate delegation, accountability, responsibility, guidance and supervision. In this context, the incumbent is responsible for the collective results of the Division;
• Ensure that Head of ITPOs under his/her responsibility provide effective management and supervision of their staff and the resources entrusted to them, including the implementation of accountability standards;
• Ensure appropriate controls for monitoring and reporting; performance management; motivation of staff and other appropriate measures to ensure optimal utilization of human resources. In the recruitment of staff in the Division, support the Deputy to the Director General/Managing Director to reach the organizational goals for improving geographical and gender balance;
• Support the Deputy to the Director General/Managing Director in related areas of GLO’s mandate to ensure efficient distribution and coordination of actions; effective linkages; cross-functional team work; flow of communication lines and management information among different spans of controls;
• Support the Deputy to the Director General/Managing Director on other special projects and assignments that may be assigned periodically.

III. 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.

Managerial and Leadership Competencies

WE ARE STRATEGIC, DECISIVE, PRINCIPLED AND INSPIRATIONAL: As managers, we are strategic and fair in driving our team’s performance. As leaders, we are a source of inspiration, stand for norms and standards established in the UN Charter and duty bound to defend these ideals with a principled approach.

WE ARE INCLUSIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE: As managers, we are inclusive in our approach and maintain constructive engagement with all our stakeholders. As leaders, we embrace all personnel and stakeholders and are accountable mutually within UNIDO, within the system, to beneficiaries and the public and beyond.

WE ARE MULTI-DIMENSIONAL AND TRANSFORMATIONAL: As managers, we go beyond conventional methods to help our organizational units strengthen their own agility and adaptability to change. As leaders in the UN system, we have a vision, which is integrated and engaged across the pillars of Peace and Security, Human Rights and Development.

WE ARE COLLABORATIVE AND CO-CREATIVE: As managers, we foster a team spirit and create meaningful opportunities to hear the voices of those around us, while realizing that only by working together can we accomplish our mission. As leaders, we see the inter-dependency of imperatives of the UN Charter and personally champion a collaborative inter-agency, multi-stakeholders and cross-thinking approach.

IV. Minimum Organizational Requirements

Education: Advanced university degree in Economics, International Relations, Management, Business Administration, Engineering or field relevant to UNIDO’s mandate, is required. A first-level university degree in a relevant specialization from an accredited educational institution and at least seventeen (17) years of progressive relevant work experience will be considered equivalent.

Experience:

• A minimum of twelve (12) years of progressively responsible working experiences at the national and international levels, leading and directing both technical and non-technical groups and teams in the areas of the Division’s mandate is required, including at least five (5) years of experience in a senior managerial position preferably at the international level.
• Experience in leadership, high-level negotiations and dealings with stakeholders, requiring political astuteness and sensitivity, is desirable.
• Experience with investment promotion services in developing countries, including at the managerial level is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency in or working knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

NOTE: UNIDO professional level applicants are required to have served at least one year in their current position, if applying for a higher-level position. However, the seniority-in-grade requirements for applying for higher level positions, as per paragraphs 18 and 78 of the HRMF, have been waived.

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: [email protected]