Associate HR Policy and Employee Relations Expert

​​Requisition ID: 7884
Grade: ISA-P2
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Application Deadline: 19-Aug-2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNIDO welcomes applications from qualified persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to applicants and employees with disabilities to support full participation in the recruitment process and in the performance of their duties.

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 Corporate Services and Operations (COR), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible and accountable for the management of UNIDO’s 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.

Under the supervision of the Managing Director of the Directorate of Corporate Services and Operations (COR), and in close coordination with other organizational entities within UNIDO, the Division of Human Resource Management (COR/HRM) is responsible for developing and implementing UNIDO’s human resources strategy, which underpins the success of the Organization, by providing a modern, people-focused framework that enables UNIDO’s workforce to contribute to its maximum.

This position is located in the Human Resources Policy and Employee Relations Unit (COR/HRM/PEO/PER), which is responsible for the development, review and interpretation of UNIDO’s human resources policies and serves as the Organization’s focal point for engagement with United Nations common system organizations and other relevant entities on emerging trends, developments and decisions affecting HR policies. The Unit also provides strategic advice to Senior Management on employee relations matters, with a view to safeguarding the integrity, efficiency and reputation of the Organization, while ensuring that UNIDO’s internal justice system is founded on the principles of fairness, accountability and due process.

KEY RESULTS EXPECTED

Under the overall guidance of the Chief, HR Policy, Employee Relations and Operations, and under the direct supervision of the Head, HR Policy and Employee Relations Unit, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Support the preparation of HR policies and amendments to HR policies as part of UNIDO’s modernization of its HR policy framework, and with reference to best practices in the UN system.
2. Conduct policy research and support the preparation of associated manuals, training and communication materials.

1. Contribute in drafting responses to questions from stakeholders about the interpretation of HR policies.

1. As appropriate, contribute to the preparation of memoranda, briefs, letters and legal submissions in relation to staff appeals and disciplinary proceedings, with reference to precedent and the jurisprudence of the international administrative labour tribunals.

1. Perform such other duties as may be assigned

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Advanced university degree in law, in human resources management or in a similar field is required.

Experience

• At least three (3) years of work experience in HR policy development and/or in the application of international administrative law in relation to appeals and disciplinary matters is required.
• Professional experience in an international organization system is an asset.

Language

• Excellent oral and written command of English is essential. Knowledge of German is an advantage based on required interaction with local health care providers. Knowledge of French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish is an asset.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

CORE VALUES AND BEHAVIORS AND FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCE

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 communication and teamwork; Share knowledge and embrace diversity

Analyse & Plan - Use data and evidence for decision-making; Plan proactively and prioritize effectively

Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Take ownership and deliver quality outputs; Align work with UNIDO mission and objectives

Learn and Develop - Continuously develop skills; Seek feedback and share knowledge

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.
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