Reform Management Associate

​​Requisition ID: 7718
Grade: ISA-P1
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 5 months
Application Deadline: 14-Jul-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.

The Directorate manages the functions of the Ethics and Accountability Unit (COR/EAU), the Office of Administrative Innovation and Transformation (COR/AIT), the Divisions of Financial Resource Management (COR/FIN) and Human Resources Management (COR/HRM), as well as the following Services: Procurement Services (COR/PRO); Digitalization, Innovation and TC Optimization Services (COR/DIT); Facility Management Services (COR/BMS); and Asset Management and Logistics Services (COR/AML). The Directorate also manages personnel security and safety matters. The Directorate ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant organizational entities in all Directorates across the Organization.

Under the supervision of the Managing Director of the Directorate of Corporate Services and Operations (COR), the Office of Administrative Innovation and Transformation (COR/AIT) is responsible for coordinating a comprehensive organizational review and analysis, the development of holistic strategies, and the design of the architecture and oversight of the implementation of modernization of administrative services of the organization. The Office is dedicated as well to actively supporting Senior Management to foster a robust risk culture and overall approach towards risk in UNIDO’s operations. The Office is responsible for designing and conducting a comprehensive organizational review and analysis, the development of holistic strategies, and the design of the architecture and develop and deliver the implementation of the modernization of administrative services of the organization. The Office is dedicated as well to actively supporting Senior Management to foster a robust risk culture and overall approach towards risk management in UNIDO’s operations.

The position is located in the Office of Administrative Innovation and Transformation (COR/AIT).

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Reform Management Expert works under the direct supervision of the Director of the Office of Administrative Innovation and Transformation, and expected to undertake the following tasks:

• Support the mapping and consolidation of reforms, including operationalization of the field reform such as on decentralization and integration of Field-Headquarters in technical cooperation, programmatic and operations, and assist in linking these to the overall objectives and vision on modernization and transformation of administrative services;
• Contribute to the development of a roadmap towards reform management and operational transformation, drawing on the integrated assessment and comprehensive review and analysis undertaken by the Office;
• Research and compile best practices for reform and transformation of administrative services across the UN system, including with regard to decentralization and integration of Field-Headquarters in technical cooperation, programmatic and operations;
• Support benchmarking, learning and exposure activities to other UN entities or leading international organizations on reform and transformation of administrative services;
• Provide operational support to relevant UNIDO entities on the development of key focus areas and operational transformation initiatives, and assist the coordination in this regard;
• Draft briefings, presentations and reports on UNIDO’s architecture, priorities, and strategies towards modernizing administrative services, in cooperation with relevant organizational entities, for internal and external purposes;
• Perform other related duties and assignments as required by the Director of the Office.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in engineering, sciences, economics, business administration or another field relevant to UNIDO’s mandate is required.

Experience:

At least one (1) year of work experience in an area relevant to the recruiting office is required. Ability to research and analyse information is required. Experience in organizational reform processes, including in the UN context is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency in or working knowledge of other United Nations language(s), is desirable.

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.

Functional Competence

• Continuously develop and maintain expertise.
• Stay informed of industry trends and best practices.
• Apply knowledge to improve results and decision-making.
• Adopt new tools and technologies.
• Take ownership of professional development.

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