Junior Professional Officer

​Requisition ID: 7291
Grade: L2
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: 85,246 USD
Application Deadline: 08-Apr-2026, 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.

In accordance with the donor agreement, this post is open to nationals of Finland only

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.

DIRECTORATE OF SDG INNOVATION AND ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION (IET)

Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with relevant organizational entities, the Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for the development of innovative UNIDO services in the areas of agro-industry and agribusiness, sustainability standards and fair production, and climate relevant or climate-improving technologies. It is also, in collaboration with ODG, responsible for developing innovative cooperation concepts, identifying new sources and means of innovative finance and entering into new partnerships with a broad range of relevant stakeholders.

The Directorate is responsible for the Divisions of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR), Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST), Climate and Technology Partnerships (IET/CTP), Innovative Finance and International Financial Institutions (IET/IFI), and Public-Private Partnerships (IET/PPP). Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, IET collaborates closely with TCS 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.

Division of Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST)

Under the supervision of the Managing Director, Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), and in close coordination with other organizational entities, the Division of Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST) develops and implements an innovative service package in response to UNIDO's mandate for fair and responsible local industrial production and trade, with a particular focus on building the required skills and capacities, and foster a conducive business operating environment to ensure that such production and trade are inclusive, promoting – among others – the just adoption of sustainability standards and mandatory due diligence legislation as well as the development of human capital through vocational training and industrial skills development.

In collaboration with relevant organizational entities, the Division will conceptualize and negotiate services and raise funds from Member States, development partners, IFIs, and the private sector to 61 coordinate their effective implementation and devise ways in which their implementation can be brought to scale. This will include cross-cutting and sector-specific initiatives for sustainable supply/value chain and skills development in industrial sectors where UNIDO has, over the years, accumulated expertise. It will do so through close engagement with Member States, private sector associations, industrial enterprises, international quality, standards and trade-related governing bodies, other UN agencies, development partners, NGOs and consumer associations, ensuring solid and operational partnerships.

At the L2 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver: (a) work that is analytical in contributing to results achieved by the Division; (b) in creating an enabling environment for collaborative work which is catalytic to achieving results; (c) in building relationships which contributes to counterparts’ engagement and (d) in achieving results that provide baselines for a service. The measure of success is timely, consistent and appropriate 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.

Content and methodology of supervision: Establishment of a Work Plan: During the first month of the assignment, the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) will work jointly with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed upon work plan. The final work plan will be discussed and mutually agreed to by the JPO and his/her supervisor and updated periodically. Guidance will be provided on daily work outputs, and they are monitored against tasks assigned and actually achieved.

Evaluation: The UNIDO Staff Performance Appraisal System (PAS) 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. For this position, the duty station will be Vienna, Austria, during the first year (UNIDO Headquarters), and Lusaka/Kitwe, Zambia, during the second year (UNIDO project office). The relocation to the project office in the field depends on the operationalization of technical cooperation projects. During the first year, the incumbent will gain an understanding of centralized services (e.g. procurement, human resources, and finance) as they relate to the technical cooperation project cycle. The duty station in Lusaka/Kitwe will then offer hands-on experience in the implementation of technical cooperation projects on the ground.

The PAS cycle includes three stages: Start-of-Cycle, where the staff member and first reporting officer agree on compact results; regular check-in meetings to review progress and discuss areas for improvement; and the End-of-Cycle assessment, which finalizes the evaluation of results.

The first year of the assignment will be based at UNIDO Headquarters in Vienna, followed by a second year in Zambia. Upon transfer to Zambia, the remuneration package will be adjusted to align with the post‑adjustment and related conditions of service applicable at that duty station.

Responsibilities

The Junior Professional Officer (JPO) will be assigned to IET/PST and will work under the direct supervision of the Chief (P5), with regular collaboration and guidance from the Industrial Development Officer (P3).

The JPO will contribute to the smooth and timely implementation of projects and will be accountable for the delivery of assigned project results.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assist in formulating, executing, and monitoring technical cooperation projects in the mining sector with a focus on responsible mining practices, artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and large-scale operations, ensuring quality, timeliness, and budget compliance.
• Towards the end of the assignment, the JPO might act as an Allotment Holder of a Technical Cooperation project/s, depending on the availability of suitable projects (scope/size) and proven track-record on project management abilities (development of result-based frameworks, familiarity with UNIDO Enterprise Resource Planning tools, diplomatic skills when interacting with stakeholders etc.).
• Engage with private sector stakeholders to promote best practices in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance within the mining sector.
• Contribute to the development of training and entrepreneurship programmes tailored to the mining industry, focusing on upskilling and reskilling of workers.
• Prepare technical documents, policy briefs, and knowledge products related to sustainable mineral value chains and responsible mining practices.
• Support advocacy, communication, and global forum activities, including media engagement and dissemination of project information through UNIDO platforms.
• Contribute to programme-specific fundraising efforts and perform other related duties as required.
• Represent the Division, along with the Chief IET/PST, in the task force of UNIDO's Global Alliance on Responsible and Green Minerals.

Learning Elements

• Deepen understanding of UNIDO’s mandate, structure, and approach to inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID).
• Gain hands-on experience in the design, implementation, and monitoring of technical cooperation projects.
• Learn to apply project cycle management tools, including results-based management (RBM), logical frameworks, and risk analysis.
• Strengthen analytical skills through research, data analysis, and drafting of policy briefs, reports, and technical documents.
• Develop familiarity with international development frameworks, including the 2030 Agenda and related SDGs, particularly SDG 9.
• Improve communication and coordination skills through engagement with internal and external stakeholders, including government counterparts, private sector actors, and development partners.
• Gain exposure to the workings of the UN system, interagency coordination mechanisms, and donor relations.
• Enhance cross-cultural competencies and understanding of working in a diverse, multicultural environment.
• Acquire practical knowledge of UNIDO’s operational and administrative procedures, including procurement, finance, and human resources.
• Develop professional skills in areas such as teamwork, time management, and organizational awareness.

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

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in mining engineering, geology, mineral economics, or a closely related field with specialization in responsible mining, sustainability in extractives, or industrial development is required.

Experience, technical knowledge and functional expertise

• A minimum of three (3) years of professional experience is required. Suitable working experience can be from the mining or extractive industries, process industry or industries that depend on mining/extractive industry products.

• Experience in implementing or advising ESG standards, responsible industry practices or sustainability frameworks. Such experience from the mining/extractive industry sector is highly desirable.
• Experience in technical cooperation projects in developing countries, especially in Africa, Asia, or Latin America, is desirable.

Language Skills

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

Spoken and written knowledge of either Finnish or Swedish is required.

Applicants must be nationals of Finland and not older than 32 years of age by the application deadline.

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