External Relations Officer

External Relations Officer

Requisition ID: 7510

Grade: P3

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 - 100 series

Indicative Minimum Net Annual Salary: 109,999 USD

Application Deadline: 12-Jun-2026, 11:59 PM(Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement

Female candidates from all Member States 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.

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) 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 position is located under the Directorate’s Division of Policymaking Organs (GLO/PMO) which is responsible for organizing all sessions of the UNIDO policymaking organs, such as the General Conference, the Industrial Development Board and its subsidiary organ, the Programme and Budget Committee, as well as any other subsidiary bodies and working groups established by those organs. This includes providing advisory and secretariat services to such sessions.

The Division develops and execute relevant mechanisms and strategies to ensure the maximum effectiveness of high-level engagement with Member States and non-Member States and advises the Director General on the best approaches to such engagement. It further conducts consultations with non-Member States and other entities (IGOs/NGOs) with a view to facilitating their membership or relationship with the Organization.

The Industrial Development Officer works under the overall guidance of the Director, Division of Policymaking Organs and in close collaboration with the colleagues to support its mandate.

At the P-3 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver: (a) work from a seasoned analyst; (b) an enabling environment for work anchored to achieving results; (c) partnership-building which results in advocating and championing UNIDO’s programmes and (d) results achieved 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.

Main Responsibilities

As a team leader or member, whether on a divisional, cross-functional or cross sectoral level, the incumbent shall carry out the following activities to achieve the results of the Division:

Policymaking organ sessions

• Contribute to the organisation of the sessions of UNIDO’s policymaking organs, with a particular focus on the execution of in-session informal consultations.
• Co-lead the preparations, conduct and follow-up of the pre- and in-session consultations on draft decisions, resolutions and declarations.
• Review of pre-session documentation and correspondence to ensure its respective alignment with United Nations editorial standards and UNIDO’s External Correspondence Guidelines.
• Oversee the preparations, conduct, reporting and follow-up of UNIDO’s programme of Development Dialogues and briefings to Member States in support of building consensus on matters treated in the policymaking organs.
• Follow up on outcomes of sessions of policymaking organs, and support the preparation, execution and follow up of future sessions, among others related to the adoption of relevant decisions and resolutions to ensure continuity of results reporting to Member States.
• Oversee the preparations, conduct, reporting and follow-up of UNIDO’s programme of Consultative Sessions, resulting in substantive recommendations to be treated through sessions of policymaking organs.

Member States engagement

• Coordinate the implementation of UNIDO’s strategic stakeholder engagement approach with Member States and non-Member States, based on the framework and tools of the Member States Engagement Initiative.
• Collaborate with relevant Divisions and Units to establish and maintain a robust Client Relationship Management tool for the comprehensive mapping of all Member States and non-Member States to inform strategic decision-making.
• Conduct in-depth research and analysis to strategize, guide and support engagement activities for priority Member States and non-Member States.
• Coordinate a programme of meetings with key stakeholders to advance engagement efforts with focus Member States and non-Member States, including with partners from governments, international organizations, NGOs, the private sector, civil society, academia, etc.
• In close coordination with relevant offices in GLO and SPP, advise UNIDO Directorates, Divisions, Units and Offices on various tools of engagement and key messages to support a systematic, coherent, UNIDO-wide approach to engagement and strategic relations with Member States and non-Member States.
• Collaborate with relevant UNIDO Directorates, Divisions and Units to ensure alignment and effective execution of institutional engagement activities, including by developing engagement strategies, preparing ‘alignment documents’ and ‘engagement roadmaps’; gathering and reviewing inputs for the preparation of material; organizing participation in meetings and activities; and others.
• Coordinate, together with ODG/CCM, strategic engagement activities to increase organizational visibility amongst target audiences, inter alia by leveraging UNIDO’s global forum function.
• Coordinate the preparations, conduct, reporting and follow-up of the Director General’s programme of engagement with Member States and non-Member States.
• Advise on stakeholder management, particularly as regards strategic relations with Member States and non-Member States, partnership opportunities and corporate outreach, as well as on relevant policymaking organ-related rules of procedures and decision-making processes.
• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the Director, GLO/PMO.

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 Organizational Requirements

Education

A first-level university degree (bachelor or equivalent) in International Relations, International Affairs, Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy, Diplomacy or other closely related field, is required. An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) or Doctorate in the same fields are accepted with a reduced requirement for years of professional experience.

Experience

A minimum of professional experience aligned with the educational level is required, as follows:

• First-level university degree (Bachelor’s): at least 8 years of relevant professional experience

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent): at least 5 years of relevant professional experience

• Doctorate: at least 3 years of relevant professional experience.

• Progressively responsible relevant professional experience, including some at the international level, in external relations, international cooperation, policy or intergovernmental processes, including liaison with Member States and institutional partners, is required.

• Proven skills and ability in identifying and resolving problems in the area of institutional external relations is required.

• Ability to deal with complex and sensitive issues through United Nations governing bodies is required.

• Knowledge and experience in dealing with diplomatic missions is required.

• Proven conceptual analytical and evaluative skills, and ability to conduct independent research in a meticulous manner and recommend solutions is required.

• Very good oral and written communication skills, including proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner is required.

• Strong interpersonal skills, proven ability to work harmoniously in a team and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity is required.

• Proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet and content management systems (Drupal/TYPO3) is desirable.

• Experience with virtual conferencing platforms and related software is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency in or working knowledge of other United Nations languages, particularly French, is desirable.

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