Industrial Development Expert

​Requisition ID: 7445
Grade: L3
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 - 200 series
Indicative Minimum Net Annual Salary: 109,999 USD
Application Deadline: 25-Jun-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
THE APPOINTMENT IS LIMITED TO THE SPECIFIED PROJECT(S) ONLY AND DOES NOT CARRY ANY EXPECTATION OF RENEWAL.
Female candidates are particularly 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.

Detailed information on the project can be found at UNIDO’s Open Data Platform: https://open.unido.org/

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.

Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all relevant organizational entities within UNIDO, 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 Division of MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME) works towards increasing the competitiveness of industries in developing countries and countries in transition, especially emphasizing business development of MSMEs engaged in manufacturing and creating jobs therein. It aims at increasing competitiveness among MSMEs in two interconnected ways: first, by modernizing businesses through the transfer of advanced technologies adapted to local conditions, product innovation, productivity improvement and upgrading, developing market and value chain readiness as well as improved access to finance; and second, by improving the quality of MSME manufactured products and their compliance with market requirements through capacity building for the development of industrial production and trade-related quality infrastructure including for standardization, metrology, accreditation and of conformity assessment service institutions (testing, certification, inspection and calibration) and the strengthening of their capacities.

At the L3 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver: (a) work from a seasoned analyst; (b) in creating an enabling environment for work which is solid and anchored to achieving results; (c) in building relationships which contributes to relationship management and (d) in achieving results within a professional team. The measure of success is in consistent and dependable delivery of results.

The UNIDO Staff Performance 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 unit. Within the formal teams, the incumbent may be expected to backstop other team members as required.

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.

Project/Programme Context

In support of the African Union vision for health sovereignty and industrialization, and within the framework of the European Union – Africa partnership under the Global Gateway Strategy, the European Union has launched the “Special Measure to enhance manufacturing capacities and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies in Africa (MAV+)”. This flagship initiative aims to strengthen Africa’s capacity to locally produce essential health products, reduce dependency on imports, and build resilient and self-sustaining health systems across the continent.

The Ghana component of MAV+ forms part of this broader continental effort and contributes to the implementation of Africa-wide strategies such as the Partnership for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) and the pharmaceutical initiative under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It is also aligned with regional frameworks under Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as global health priorities led by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The project is implemented through a coordinated, multi-partner approach involving key development actors, including Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), WHO, and UNIDO, under the broader PharmaVax Ghana initiative financed by the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Within this framework, UNIDO is responsible for delivering targeted technical assistance focused on industrial development, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and biomanufacturing workforce capacity building.

The overall focus of the Ghana component is to strengthen the national pharmaceutical and vaccine , and biomanufacturing industrial ecosystem, with emphasis on integrated health industry value chains, including active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), finished dosage forms, diagnostics, and biopharmaceuticals through two complementary pillars:

1. Strengthening the industrial and regulatory ecosystem for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical production: The project supports Ghana in establishing a robust and coordinated health industry ecosystem by enhancing governance frameworks, strategic planning capacities, and regulatory systems. This includes strengthening biosafety governance, improving compliance with international standards, and supporting institutional coordination among key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, the National Vaccine Institute, and regulatory authorities. These interventions aim to create an enabling environment for sustainable pharmaceutical and vaccine production while ensuring health security and quality assurance.
2. Enhancing human capital, industrial capabilities, and market integration: The project supports the development of a skilled workforce and competitive pharmaceutical industry through the establishment of a biomanufacturing training centre and targeted capacity-building interventions. It focuses on strengthening technical and managerial skills, improving Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance, fostering innovation, and facilitating access to finance and investment. In parallel, the project promotes market access, business linkages, and integration into regional and global value chains, enabling Ghanaian manufacturers to expand production and participate in international procurement mechanisms.

The Overall Objective (Impact) of the project is to support the sustainable implementation of Ghana’s national pharmaceutical and vaccine production plans, increasing local manufacturing capacities and promoting equitable access to quality health products.

The Specific Objectives (Outcomes) of this Action are:

1. Strengthened national health industry ecosystem with a focus on pharmaceutical manufacturing and biopharmaceutical development.
2. Enhanced human capacity and industrial competitiveness through the establishment of a biomanufacturing training centre and support to local manufacturers.

The Outputs to be delivered by this Action are:
1.1 Enhanced governance and strategic planning frameworks for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical production.
1.2 Strengthened national biosafety governance and technical capacities.
2.1 Strengthened technical skills and institutional capacities of local pharmaceutical producers.
2.2 Enhanced manufacturers’ technical capacities, market access opportunities, and investment promotion mechanisms.
2.3 Strengthened national biomanufacturing capacities and operational readiness.

The project adopts a health industrial systems approach, combining industrial policy support, regulatory strengthening, skills development, and investment facilitation to accelerate the emergence of competitive pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing ecosystems in Ghana and the wider ECOWAS region. In this context, the project actively promotes regional integration and cross-border collaboration across West Africa, including engagement with neighbouring markets and institutions, as well as knowledge exchange and value chain development within multilingual operating environments. It also supports South–South cooperation and alignment with broader African pharmaceutical manufacturing initiatives, including partnerships and technology transfer linkages with emerging manufacturing hubs across the continent such as North African manufacturing facilities.

The project will contribute in particular to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Coordination among implementing partners and national stakeholders will be ensured throughout project implementation, including alignment with Ghana’s national policies such as the Vaccine Manufacturing Roadmap and National Vaccine Policy, as well as regional and continental frameworks.

The MAV+ project in Ghana is implemented by UNIDO through the following project:

• Special Measure to enhance manufacturing capacities and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies in Africa – Ghana component (MAV+)

Responsibilities

The Industrial Development Expert will work under the overall guidance of the Chief of the Division of MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME), the direct supervision of the Industrial Development Officer/Project Manager responsible for the Ghana component of the MAV+ programme, and in close coordination with the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and the Project Management Unit (PMU) in Ghana. The Expert will collaborate closely with national counterparts, development partners, and relevant UNIDO technical divisions to support the effective implementation of the project.

The Expert will be responsible for providing high-level technical support to ensure the smooth, timely, and results-oriented execution of the project, with a particular focus on pharmaceutical manufacturing, biomanufacturing systems development, and industrial ecosystem strengthening. She/he will be accountable for the achievement of assigned outputs and deliverables. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Execute and monitor projects/ programme implementation activities and services, ensuring that assigned inputs are high quality, delivered on time and within the allocated budget.
• Coordinate the execution of the project, including as/if needed:
  • 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. Minimum requirements and desirable criteria Education: A first‑level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in public health, international health, global health, industrial development or a related field relevant to UNIDO’s mandate, is required. A Bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences or a specialization in pharmaceutical manufacturing, health industry development, or industrial policy is an asset. An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) or a Doctorate in the same fields are accepted with a reduced requirement for years of professional experience. Experience, technical knowledge and functional expertise: -First level university degree (Bachelor’s): at least 8 years of relevant professional experience -Advanced university degree (Master’s): at least 5 years of relevant professional experience -Doctorate: at least 3 years of relevant professional experience Language Skills: Fluency in written and oral English and French is required. Fluency or working knowledge of another official UN language, particularly Arabic, is an asset. NOTE:
    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: recruitment@unido.org
    • Supervising and coordinating the work of of international and national consultants, training providers, technology partners, and subcontractors involved in pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing activities.
    • Provide strategic and technical leadership for the design, coordination, and implementation of health industrial development interventions, ensuring alignment between pharmaceutical manufacturing, biomanufacturing systems, regulatory frameworks, and investment readiness objectives.
    • Preparing necessary inputs (work plans, consultant job descriptions, terms of reference, training arrangements, equipment specifications, etc.).
    • Monitoring progress and expenditures, preparing financial forecasts and budget revisions, including missions to project sites.
    • Participating in project steering committee meetings, technical working groups, and oversight missions both in the field and at headquarters, and supporting independent evaluations of the project.
    • Coordinating project-related knowledge management, documentation, and dissemination of technical outputs and lessons learned.
    • Manage external relations by maintaining strong working relationships with all stakeholders involved in the project, including government institutions (e.g. Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, National Vaccine Institute, regulatory authorities), development partners, international financial institutions, private sector actors, academia, and research institutions, to ensure coordination, alignment, and synergies.
    • Support investment promotion and access to finance activities by contributing to the design and implementation of bankability assessments, feasibility studies, and engagement with development finance institutions and private investors.
    • Contribute to advocacy, communication, and visibility activities related to the project, including the preparation of technical briefs, presentations, and promotional materials; participation in conferences and global fora; and dissemination of project results through appropriate channels in line with UNIDO and donor visibility requirements.
    • In line with UNIDO guidelines and procedures, contribute to resource mobilization efforts by identifying opportunities for scaling up interventions, supporting the development of follow-up projects, and collaborating with relevant UNIDO units and partners to secure additional funding.
    • Perform other related duties and assignments as required.
    • A minimum of professional experience aligned with the educational level is required, as follows:
    • Professional experience, including some at the international level, involving technical cooperation in developing countries, is required.
    • Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing technical assistance projects in pharmaceutical manufacturing, biomanufacturing, or broader health industry systems strengthening is required.
    • Knowledge and hands-on experience in supporting the development of the health industry, particularly local pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing sectors, including strengthening manufacturers’ competitiveness, GMP and quality management systems (QMS) compliance, technology transfer, and facilitating access to finance and market opportunities, is required.
    • Experience evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, is required.
    • Experience in conceptualizing and/or implementing multi-country or multi-partner projects, is required.
    • UN project implementation and field experience is required.
    • Experience in all phases of the Project Cycle, is desirable.
    • Prior experience in Africa, particularly in the pharmaceutical or health manufacturing sector, is highly desirable.