Strategic Partnerships Research Specialist

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.

Under the supervision of the Managing Director of the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), the Division of Regional Bureaus and Field Coordination (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.

The Division encompasses all the UNIDO field offices and the five Regional Bureaus: Africa (GLO/RFO/AFR), also hosting the IDDA III Secretariat; the Arab Region (GLO/RFO/ARB); Asia and the Pacific (GLO/RFO/ASP); Europe and Central Asia (GLO/RFO/EUR); and Latin American and the Caribbean (GLO/RFO/LAC). GLO/RFO provides strategic guidance on the setup, operation and performance of the field structure with a view to further optimize UNIDO's field operations, outreach to development partners and Member States, global networks and overall coherence of its service delivery in the context of the reform of the United Nations development system (UNDS) and related reform efforts. The Division also contributes to the development of regional strategies and country programmes, ensuring alignment with key strategic documents of the Organization and the priorities of the Director General, as well as related results-oriented implementation plans.

This position is located in the Regional Bureau for Europe and Central Asia (GLO/RFO/EUR), while Strategic Partnerships Research Specialist will also closely cooperate with other relevant organizational entities, including the Division of Funding Partner Relations (GLO/FPR) and the Brussels Liaison Office (GLO/BRO).

PROJECT CONTEXT

Since 2020, under the project “Reinvigorating a business model of strategic engagement with emerging donors” (ID 200046), UNIDO has systematically strengthened its partnership with nine so-called emerging donor Member States in the European Union (EU) – Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovenia. Through three editions of a dedicated regional conference, tailored priority alignment documents, bilateral consultations, cooperation seminars and structured private sector engagement, these countries have become well-integrated and actively engaged development partners of the Organization.

The EU and its Member States collectively constitute one of UNIDO's most significant funding and strategic partners. UNIDO and the EU have cooperated globally in over 120 countries, and cooperation under the Global Gateway framework and the Team Europe approach continues to grow. To consolidate and further expand this partnership, and as one of the outcomes of the project, UNIDO intends to prepare a strategic evidence-based and forward- looking publication on UNIDO’s value proposition for the European Union and its Member States vis-à-vis the region of Europe and Central Asia.

The publication will serve as a strategic positioning and partnership-development instrument aimed to support future cooperation and resource mobilization. It is intended to guide UNIDO’s engagement with the institutions of the European Union and EU Member States by clearly presenting the Organization’s mandate, comparative advantages, delivery capacities, partnership modalities and demonstrated results achieved in the Europe and Central Asia region. The publication should also identify and map concrete areas in which UNIDO can contribute to the implementation of current and emerging EU external action, industrial, climate, enlargement and investment priorities in the Europe and Central Asia region.The final paper will be designed into a high-quality publication for external dissemination.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Strategic Partnerships Research Specialist, under the supervision of the project manager of project ID 200046 and in close cooperation with other relevant organizational entities, will be responsible for conducting the underlying research and preparing the narrative of the overview paper on UNIDO's value proposition for the European Union and its Member States vis-à-vis the region of Europe and Central Asia. Specifically, the Strategic Partnerships Research Specialist will perform the following tasks:

Main dutiesOutputs to be achievedExpected durationLocation

ID 200046: Reinvigorating a business model of strategic engagement with emerging donors (100%)

1. Conduct a desk review of existing materials, relevant UNIDO strategic documents and EU external action, development cooperation, investment, enlargement, industrial and climate-policy frameworks relevant to UNIDO’s mandate in the Europe and Central Asia region (including, as applicable, the Global Gateway, the Team Europe approach, the EU enlargement policy, the European Green Deal and the Clean Industrial Deal), and develop an annotated outline and research framework for the publication An annotated outline and research framework for the publication are developed and agreed with the supervisor 6 w/d Home-based
2. Carry out comprehensive research and data collection on UNIDO-EU cooperation, including the mapping of the EU-funded project portfolio, funding trends, flagship initiatives and key results as well as identify prospective areas of cooperation and strategic entry points in the region based on the alignment between UNIDO’s mandate and evolving EU priorities, through desk research and engagement with relevant organizational entities, including technical Directorates, the Division of Funding Partner Relations and the Brussels Liaison Office A structured compendium of evidence, data and illustrative examples from the Europe and Central Asia region and globally as well prospective areas of cooperation and strategic entry points is compiled 12 w/d
3. Draft a comprehensive, well-structured paper articulating UNIDO's value proposition for the European Union vis-à-vis the region of Europe and Central Asia, integrating examples, data visualization and case studies, in accessible and compelling language suitable for external audiences A full draft of the paper is prepared and submitted for internal review 12 w/d
4. Incorporate feedback from GLO/RFO/EUR and other consulted organizational entities and finalize the narrative, ensuring factual accuracy, consistency and alignment with UNIDO's corporate messaging and editorial standards The final narrative of the paper is completed and cleared 6 w/d
5. Prepare a design brief guiding the preparation of the final publication and support the transformation of the paper into a professionally designed publication, including proposals for structure, infographics, captions and visual elements, in coordination with the designer and relevant communications counterparts A design-ready manuscript and design brief are delivered; the design process is supported until finalization of the publication.4 w/d

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Advanced university degree in economics, international relations, political science, European studies, public policy or a related field, is required. Alternatively, a first level university degree or an advanced technical college diploma may be acceptable provided it is combined with additional 7 years of professional hand-on experience that is directly relevant to the expertise required by the specific assignment.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in research, policy analysis, international development cooperation or a related area, including at the international level, is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the institutions, policies and funding instruments of the European Union, is required.
• Proven experience in drafting analytical papers, policy documents or publications for high-level or external audiences, is required.
• Working experience in the United Nations system or other international organizations, is desirable.
• Experience in coordinating research or publication processes involving multiple stakeholders, is desirable.

Languages:Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

CORE VALUES AND BEHAVIORS

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 effective communication and teamwork; share knowledge and embrace diversity.

ANALYSE & PLAN – Use data and evidence to inform decision-making; plan proactively and prioritize effectively.

DELIVER RESULTS WITH POSITIVE IMPACT – Take ownership and deliver high-quality outputs; align work with UNIDO’s mission and objectives.

LEARN AND DEVELOP – Continuously develop skills and capabilities; seek feedback and share knowledge with others.

ADAPT AND INNOVATE – Respond flexibly to change; embrace innovation and new approaches.

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