Project Associate

​​Requisition ID: 7134
Grade: ISA-P1
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Non-staff Regular
Contract Duration: 6 months (with the possibility of extension)
Application Deadline: 11-Mar-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 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.

The Competitiveness, Quality and Compliance Unit (TCS/SME/CQC) builds national and regional production and quality infrastructure systems, with an emphasis on providing internationally recognized services, facilitating MSME participation in regional and global value chains; strengthening institutional quality infrastructure capacities; building conformity assessment capacities; and supporting market access and quality awareness with the public sector, economic operators and consumers, placing a special emphasis on capacitating MSMEs.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Promoting and strengthening the Quality Infrastructure System for the sustainability and competitiveness of Paraguay in the agro-industrial sector – SiCalidad Paraguay (SAP ID 240241)

The project will build on the experiences and achievements of the previous project named “Enhancing Business Intermediary Organizations’ Support Services for MSMEs Competitiveness in Paraguay” known as MiPYME COMPITE. This project focused on strengthening Paraguay's quality infrastructure system to foster the adoption of sustainable practices, supporting Paraguayan industrial capacity for the growth of sustainable enterprises and sensitize institutions, business and consumers on quality and sustainable practices particularly those in the agro-industrial sector.

The overall objective of the SiCalidad project is to strengthen the Quality Infrastructure System in Paraguay to promote sustainable practices and generate solutions in favor of the sustainability of the Paraguayan agro-industry.

The project has 3 main outcomes that complement each other:

• Outcome 1: The technical capacity of Quality Infrastructure Institutions in Paraguay is enhanced.

• Outcome 2: The institutional capacity of Business Intermediary Organizations to extend quality and sustainable business development services to SMEs is strengthened.

• Outcome 3: Quality culture and sustainable practices are promoted.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, and working with the project team, applies basic theoretical knowledge and administrative skills in supporting and in acquiring a broad understanding of the interrelated administrative and programme/project functions contributing to technical cooperation activities in a particular sector, geographical area or programme/project. The incumbent shall carry out following main duties.

• Compile general background information from readily available sources, on economic and social factors for an assigned sector, area, country or programme/project: design and draft supporting flow charts, schedules, graphs and tables; coordinate the collection and verification of documents, actions and data with substantive or support units, assemble and edit basic data required for planning and negotiation, in format dictated by agenda or supervisor's instructions, check project documents for clarity, consistency and completeness;

• Describe progress of ongoing project/s, investigate designated project activities, discuss findings with supervisor to identify implications for the work of the project unit, discuss rationale and context of project activities, consider the alternative methods for project design, management, problem identification and problem resolution;

• Maintain institutional memories or other documentation systems to record project/programme, history and ongoing activities;

• Assist in monitoring exercises related to the project execution, retrieve substantive information on status of project, outcome, output, key performance indicators (KPIs), risks, etc. from the SAP Portfolio and Project Management (PPM) module;

• Draft reports, ad-hoc assignments and research activities, as required;

• Arrange briefings, tours, and related activities for visitors, missions and fellowship holders.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in engineering, sciences, economics, business administration, international relations or other relevant discipline with specialization in trade, project management, SME development, is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

At least one (1) year of work experience in area relevant for the recruiting office, including practical application of the context of technical cooperation activities is required. Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language, particularly is desirable.

REQUIRED 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.

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