Project Administrator

​​Requisition ID: 8205
Grade: ISA-P2
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 6 months (with the possibility of extension)
Application Deadline: 29-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 Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), headed by a 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 Directorate houses the Divisions of Policymaking Organs (PMO), Regional Bureaus and Field Offices (RFO), Field and Liaison Strategy (FLS), Member States and Funding Relations (MSR), Special Operations (SOP), and Investment and Technology Promotion Offices and Institutional Partnerships (ITP).

The Division of Regional Bureaus and Field Offices (GLO/RFO) coordinates the field representation and interventions of UNIDO in Member States and regions. Within this context, the Division is responsible for determining programmatic priorities for UNIDO's services and ensuring that UNIDO responds to the specific needs and requirements of Member States and development partners at the country and regional levels. It facilitates, upon guidance of GLO/FLS, the development of

regional strategies, country programmes (including the Programmes for Country Partnership, PCPs) and monitors their implementation. The Division encompasses all the UNIDO field offices and the five Regional Bureaus: Africa (GLO/RFO/AFR), also hosting the IDDA III Secretariat; Arab Region (GLO/RFO/ARB); Asia and the Pacific (GLO/RFO/ASP); Europe and Central Asia (GLO/RFO/EUR); and Latin America and the Caribbean (GLO/RFO/LAC).

The position is located under the Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean which is responsible for determining regional strategies and programmatic priorities for UNIDO’s services and ensuring that UNIDO responds to the specific needs and requirements of Member States.

PROJECT CONTEXT

UNIDO is implementing a regional project entitled “LAC Bureau Roadmap: Advancing Industrial Transformation and Regional Integration” (Project ID 240423). The overall objective of this regional initiative is to intensify and streamline the engagement of UNIDO with Member States in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region, supporting countries in accelerating Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID) in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The project aligns the value proposition of UNIDO with Member States’ priorities and strengthens the Organization’s role as a trusted partner for industrial transformation and regional integration.

Structured around technical and policy advisory services; knowledge, innovation and skills; regional engagement and communication; and partnerships and programme development, the Programme promotes a more integrated use of the expertise and services of UNIDO. The LAC Bureau Roadmap (SAP 240423) serves as an initial operational vehicle for the LAC Regional Programme implementation, by supporting coordinated regional initiatives, strategic partnerships, resource mobilization, knowledge exchange and the visibility of the work of UNIDO in the region.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the LAC Bureau Chief, and working in close collaboration with the project team, the incumbent shall carry out the following duties:

1) South-South and Triangular Cooperation Mechanism (SSTCM)

• Support the operationalization of the mechanism by administering calls for proposals and appraisal of submissions against agreed criteria and regional priorities.
• Facilitate partner matchmaking and contribute to the design of cooperation activities, working with relevant UNIDO technical departments and facilitating external communication through established official channels.
• Monitor implementation and delivery and reporting, identify operational constraints and bring proposed follow up actions to the attention of the supervisor.
• Provide technical and logistical support for the implementation of SSTCM activities, including travel arrangements, monitoring of co-financing and in-kind contributions from beneficiaries and partner institutions, and liaison with relevant UNIDO units.
• Draft sections of project documents and progress reports, including analytical summaries and recommendations for approval of SSTCM activities.
• Contribute to documenting and disseminating results and lessons learned through briefs, case studies and digital platform content, supporting visibility and reporting requirements.
• Undertake project management (administrative and financial tasks), including but not limited to budget monitoring, preparation of budget revisions, processing of procurement and payment requests, coordination with the Finance and Procurement Services, and ensuring compliance with UNIDO rules and regulations.

2) Regional Network of National Focal Points

• Support the maintenance and expansion of the Regional Network of National Focal Points across Latin America and the Caribbean, ensuring up-to-date contact and engagement information.
• Prepare and disseminate information on ongoing and planned activities through established official channels.
• Support the organization of regular coordination meetings (regional/sub-regional/thematic), record action points and ensure systematic follow-up.
• Facilitate policy dialogue and knowledge exchange within the network, promoting gender-responsive data collection and the contribution of technical content and good practices to the digital platform.

3) Regional Programme Implementation Support

• Support the monitoring and implementation of the Regional Programme by maintaining implementation and financial trackers, compiling inputs from relevant teams, monitoring agreed actions and timelines, and flagging delays or administrative constraints to the Chief.
• Provide administrative support to specific components, workstreams or initiatives under the Regional Programme, as assigned and under the direction of the Chief, and contribute to related progress updates and reporting.
• Maintain organized programme files and ensure proper record-keeping in accordance with UNIDO requirements.

4) LAC Bureau Support

• Support the alignment of SSTCM activities with national and regional industrial development priorities by conducting background research, compiling relevant information and preparing inputs for communication through established official channels.
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts under the Regional Programme by conducting donor mapping, identifying potential funding opportunities and preparing background information, and supporting concept notes.
• Provide technical, administrative and logistical support to LAC Bureau initiatives, including regional conferences, GRULAC meetings and side events at the UNIDO General Conference, and prepare background notes, talking points and event reports as required.
• Perform the functions of the Bureau’s internal Gender Focal Point, supporting the integration of gender considerations into activities and project design processes and facilitating internal communication with the Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Unit and relevant technical teams.
• Support the participation