Coordination Officer

Requisition ID: 6159 
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: 109,601 USD 
Application Deadline: 18-Sep-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.

I. 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 Departments/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

The Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), headed by a Deputy to the Director General/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.

The Directorate is responsible for the Liaison Offices in Brussels (GLO/BRO), Geneva (GLO/GVO) and New York (GLO/NYO) as well as the following Divisions: Policymaking Organs (GLO/PMO), Funding Partner Relations (GLO/FPR), Investment and Technology Promotion Offices and Institutional Partnerships (GLO/ITP), and Regional Bureaus and Field Coordination (GLO/RFO). The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with organizational entities in all Directorates across the Organization.

The Deputy to the Director General/Managing Director assists the Director General in the strategic positioning of UNIDO to achieve the organizational priorities. Among others, the Managing Director provides strategic advice to the Director General in all aspects of the mandate of the Directorate; as a member of the Leadership Board, contributes to achieving the Organization's strategic goals by monitoring trends regarding its work and making innovative proposals to seize opportunities and address challenges, including in cooperation with other Directorates.

The Coordination Officer works under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy to the Director General/Managing Director GLO, and in close collaboration with colleagues to support the mandate of the Office of the Managing Director.

At the P3 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver: (a) work from a seasoned analyst; (b) an enabling environment which expands results across functions and sectors; (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.

II. Main Responsibilities

As a team lead or team 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 Office of the Managing Director:

High-level engagement

• Act as the focal point in the Office of the Managing Director for high-level engagements with organizational stakeholders and counterparts.
• Coordinate the preparation and follow-up of meetings of the Managing Director with high-level officials, including the preparation of meeting agendas, briefing notes, background documents, summary notes, and other substantive materials.
• Compile substantive background information for the Managing Director, based on external sources and/or inputs provided by Divisions, for engagements such as with the Leadership Board, Member States, and other partners or stakeholders.
• In close coordination with the Managing Director, oversee the preparation of official missions and participation in global forum events, covering substantive, administrative and logistical matters, and extending from pre-mission/event preparations to post-mission/event follow-up activities.

Coordination, management and monitoring

• Situated in the Office of the Managing Director GLO, prepare regular reports on organizational commitments to Member States through the policymaking organs, Regional Bureaus and funding partner-related functions, for the information and necessary follow-up actions of the Managing Director.
• Maintain and oversee an office-wide mechanism for the timely capture, assignment, review, clearance and follow-up of daily submissions reaching the Office of the Managing Director.
• Conduct quality review of professional inputs in preparation for engagements by the Managing Director with Member States and external partners.
• Based on independent research, advise the Managing Director on matters related to the strategic management of the Directorate, creating and exploiting synergies amongst services and amongst related UNIDO services.
• Under the overall guidance of the Managing Director, supervise the day-to-day work of designated support staff, consultants and/or interns working in the Office of the Managing Director to ensure the timely delivery of results.
• Conduct desk research to help guide decisions by the Managing Director on the utilization of human and financial resources in the Directorate.

Organizational improvements

• Independently design and introduce innovative process improvements, where necessary in liaison with other Directorates and relevant services.
• Lead the application of best practices and benchmarks on business processes and assess their relevance and applicability to the Directorate.
• Implement, and as needed refine, any standard operating procedures for the Office of the Managing Director.
• Undertake additional relevant tasks as required and instructed by the Managing Director.

III. 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.

IV. Organizational requirements and desirable criteria

Education: Advanced university level degree (master’s or equivalent) in economics, business management, political science, public administration or a field of direct relevance to the mandate of the Directorate is required. 

Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in executive support/advisory functions, including at the international level is required.
• Knowledge of, or experience in partnership-building and stakeholder management in development institutions is required.
• Experience in supporting executive offices and/or senior-level officials, at the national or international level is desirable.
• Experience in, or knowledge of, UNIDO’s business procedures and processes is desirable.

Languages:  Fluency in written and spoken English and French is required.  Fluency in or working knowledge of other official language(s) of the United Nations, 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: [email protected]