​​Requisition ID: 5927 
Grade: P4 (Specialist) (2 positions)
Country: Austria 
Duty Station: Vienna 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 1 year
Application Deadline: 14-Jul-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Female candidates are 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 position is located under the Division of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI) promotes digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence as well as associated technologies as part of innovation ecosystems consisting of productive capacities in manufacturing, services and digital firms, with the purpose to advance the competitiveness of industries and manufacturing firms in Member States. It helps industries to benefit from the rapid progress in digital and convergent technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), ensuring a smooth transition towards safe and secured cyber- physical industrial systems and a smart society and mitigating any negative adverse effects on employment and quality of work. Through the Division's services, the productive transformation is the key, by integrating industrial businesses, dynamic entrepreneurship, and acceleration services, and by applying technological innovation to smart manufacturing, smart energy, smart agribusiness and others, in developing countries, transition and emerging economies, with emphasis in developing countries to provide the opportunity to technologically catch up instead of falling behind industries in more advanced countries.

UNIDO’s Global Alliance on Artificial Intelligence for Industry and Manufacturing (AIM-Global) is a pioneering initiative that aims to foster the responsible, sustainable, and inclusive application of artificial intelligence in the industrial sector, in accordance with the UN Secretary-General's call to establish a Global Digital Compact that upholds shared principles for an open, free, and secure digital future for all. AIM-Global is a groundbreaking collaboration platform designed to bring together governments, international organizations, and the private sector and industry leaders who recognize the transformative potential of AI in driving inclusive and sustainable industrial development. By uniting global stakeholders under a common vision, AIM-Global seeks to shape the future of AI while ensuring that ethical considerations, human-centricity, and sustainability remain at the forefront of technological advancements.

GENERIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The International AI and Digital Transformation Expert shall work under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Division of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence and will support the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into UNIDO’s operations, technical cooperation portfolio, and global partnerships. The expert’s work will support UNIDO’s contribution to Global Digital Compact (GDC) Objective 2, particularly through fostering Digital Economy Readiness, Lighthouse Solutions, and Inclusive Digital Market Frameworks.

Key responsibilities include:

AI and Digital strategy development for UNIDO operations and AI adoption

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of UNIDO workflows, data systems, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms to identify AI and Digital applicability and operational needs
• Develop a strategic roadmap for AI and Digital adoption across UNIDO units, aligned with GDC Objective 2: Expand inclusion in and benefits from the digital economy for all
• Recommend institutional framework, capacity-building measures and policy guidelines needed for effective and ethnical AI and Digital applications use
• Provide strategic advice on mainstreaming AI and Digital in sustainable industrial development policies and cooperation frameworks
• Propose and support implementation of pilot AI and Digital solutions for internal use (e.g., document analysis, process automation, intelligent dashboards)
• Contribute to the preparation of policy briefs and reports on ethical, regulatory, and governance aspects of AI
• Facilitate collaboration with research institutions, private and public sector actors to foster innovation partnerships and lighthouse initiatives
• Design a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework to track the progress of AI and Digital integration and support reporting to key forums (e.g., GC.21, COP30)

AI and Digital solutions integration in technical cooperation (TC) projects

• Map opportunities for AI and Digital integration across thematic areas, prioritizing GDC-aligned outcomes
• Identify and assess potential AI-enabled and Digital solutions for current and planned technical cooperation projects
• Support the design and implementation of pilot AI and Digital projects in selected sectors or partner countries
• Develop toolkits, guidance notes, and frameworks for integrating AI and Digital into technical cooperation projects, addressing risk management and ethical considerations
• Design and deliver training programs, webinars, and materials for UNIDO staff and national counterparts on AI and Digital opportunities, with focus on responsible innovation and digital inclusion
• Serve as a technical focal point for AI and Digital-related knowledge exchange initiatives and inclusive digital market frameworks under the GDC
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts, including drafting concept notes and proposals for various types of donors

Scaling the Global Alliance on AI for Industry and Manufacturing (AIM Global)

• Develop a growth and engagement strategy for AIM Global, targeting governments, industry, academia, and civil society
• Organize high-level forums, technical working groups, and multistakeholder dialogues to advance AIM Global agenda towards GDC-aligned outcomes
• Produce knowledge products, policy recommendations and thought leadership materials on leveraging AI and Digital for industry and manufacturing in developing countries
• Lead outreach efforts to expand AIM Global membership and foster cross-sectoral partnerships
• Support the establishment of coordination mechanisms (e.g., advisory panel, thematic groups) for effective Alliance governance
• Integrate M&E framework to assess the impact of AIM Global activities and contribute to reporting processes
• Drive mobilization of strategic partnerships and funding to scale AIM Global initiatives through joint programming, co-financed projects, and in-kind contributions from partners

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in one or more of the following areas: computer science, data science, AI/ML, engineering, or related fields is required.

Experience:

• A minimum of five (7) years of relevant professional experience in AI and Digital applications, ideally in industry or international development context, out of which 3 years in implementing digital transformation initiatives in complex organizational settings (preferably in public sector or international organizations) supporting leadership, operations, or strategy development is required.
• Relevant professional experience in strategic digital partnership development and project management in international or UN organizations is required.
• Thorough understanding of latest advancements in AI and emerging, digital technological, and their business applications, is required.
• Knowledge of AI and Digital technologies, ethical frameworks, and responsible AI principles is required.
• Experience in implementing scalable digital solutions in cloud-based platforms, which foster operational efficiency and data-driven decision making, is desirable.

Languages:

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

REQUIRED 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 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.

Managerial and Leadership competencies (as applicable):

• WE ARE STRATEGIC, DECISIVE, PRINCIPLED AND INSPIRATIONAL: We are a source of inspiration, stand for norms and standards established in the UN Charter and duty bounded to defend these ideals with a principled approach.

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