Date: Associate External Relations Officer

Requisition ID: 5038
Grade: P2
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: 84,951 USD
Application Deadline: 28-Jan-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
Female candidates from all Member States are particularly encouraged to apply.

Organizational Context

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID 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 ISID, however, applies in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.

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 and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs 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.

GLO/PMO further serves as the act as focal point for liaison with Member States, non-Member States, regional groups, IGOs and NGOs on matters of policy and substance to identify and pursue strategic opportunities. 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.

Within the Division of Policymaking Organ’s, the Member States Engagement Initiative (MSEI) provides the overarching strategic framework to systematize and upgrade UNIDO’s engagement with Member States and non-Member States to better showcase its added value for countries in advancing ISID, stimulate greater engagement in the Organization’s work amongst its membership and secure the necessary political, technical and financial support to effectively deliver its global mandate, including through decision-making in policymaking organs of the Organization.

At the P2 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver: (a) work that is analytical in contributing to results achieved by the Division; (b) in creating an enabling environment for collaborative work which is catalytic to achieving results; (c) in building relationships which contributes to counterparts’ engagement and (d) in achieving results that provide baselines for a service. The measure of success is timely, consistent and appropriate 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.

Responsibilities

As a team-leader of member, the incumbent works under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Director, Division of Policymaking Organs. She/he will ensure alignment between the Division’s Member States and non-Member States engagement function and its PMO sessions-related operations, and will further coordinate with relevant Directorates, Divisions, Units and other offices, as well as with external stakeholders in the fulfilment of GLO/PMO’s mandate. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Policymaking Organs Sessions:

• Participates in the organization of UNIDO’s policymaking organs sessions by gathering information on PMO sessions relevant topics thus ensuring the adequate preparation and in particular participation of member states’ delegations.
• Assists in the preparation of the organisation of sessions of UNIDO’s policymaking organs, including, but not limited to the pre- and in-session consultations on draft decisions, resolutions and declarations.
• Assists in the preparation of reports and summaries of sessions of the policymaking organs, their subsidiary bodies and/or consultations with Member States.
• Assists in the preparation and implementation of the substantive programme of PMO session, as applicable including in the General Conferences.

Strategic Member States Engagement:

• Makes proposals for the implementation of UNIDO’s strategic stakeholder engagement approach with Member States and non-Member States, based on the framework and tools of MSEI, including:
• Cooperates with other relevant Divisions and Units to establish and maintain, a Client Relationship Management tool for the comprehensive mapping of all Member States and non-Member States of the Organization to assess the levels of engagement between UNIDO and the respective
• (non-) Member State and inform strategic decision-making.
• Participates in in-depth research and analysis for strategizing, guiding and supporting engagement activities, including work plans, outreach campaigns, key stakeholder maps, alignment documents, engagement roadmaps, briefing notes, statements, talking points, presentations, reports, communications, guidelines and templates for each priority Member States and non-Member States.
• Participates in the preparation of meetings with key stakeholders relevant to advancing the engagement with focus Member States and non-Member States, including from governments, international organizations, NGOs, the private sector, civil society, academia, etc.
• Assists in advising all 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.
• Cooperates with relevant UNIDO Directorates, Divisions and Units to align engagement efforts to ensure effective execution of 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.
• Participates in strategic engagement activities to increase visibility by leveraging UNIDO’s global forum function.
• Participates communication activities with ODG/CCM, in support of engagement objectives.

Cooperates in the preparations, conduct, reporting and follow-up off UNIDO’s programme of Development Dialogues and briefings, among others to effectively:

• Strengthen relations with Member States on priority topics, including to raise support for and build consensus on issues to be reflected in PMO recommendations, decisions and resolutions.
• Follow-up on outcomes of sessions of policymaking organs, and support the preparation, execution and follow up of future PMO sessions, among others related to the adoption of relevant decisions and resolutions.
• Assists in 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.
• Supports the review of pre-session documentation and correspondence to ensure its alignment with UNIDO’s External Correspondence Guidelines and United Nations editorial standards.
• Performs 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 requirements and desirable criteria

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in international relations, business administration, economics, law, communication or a closely related field is required.

Experience, technical knowledge and functional expertise

• A minimum of three (3) years of working experience, including some at the international level, in project execution or coordination, particularly in the areas of external relations, governing bodies in international organization or government or policy consulting is required.
• Proven skills in identifying and resolving problems in the area of external relations is required.
• Good knowledge and experience in dealing with diplomatic missions is required.
• Ability to deal with complex and sensitive issues through United Nations governing bodies is required.
• Proven conceptual analytical and evaluative skills, and ability to conduct independent research in a meticulous manner and recommend solutions is required.
• Ability to establish independently priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan is required.
• Very good oral and written communication skills, including proven ability to draft 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 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Microsoft Teams) and internet is desirable.
• Experience with virtual conferencing platforms and related software is an asset.

Language Skills

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency in or working knowledge of another official language of the United Nations is desirable.

NOTE:

UNIDO General Service applicants are required to be at least at the GS-5 level; to have served in their current position for at least two years; and to have served in UNIDO for at least five years.

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