External Relations Officer

United Nations Industrial Development Organisation; Wien; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

UNIDO in Vienna seeks an experienced Professional to advance funding partnerships and strategic engagement with donors. You will coordinate programming, draft funding agreements, and oversee donor reporting to support UNIDO’s mission of inclusive industrial development.

The role emphasizes fiduciary oversight, RBM, and cross‑functional collaboration with technical cooperation and field networks to mobilize resources and shape funding strategies.

Qualifications

• First-level university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) in economics, business administration, international relations, international development, public administration, international law or other field relevant to UNIDO’s mandate.
• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) or Doctorate in the same fields accepted with reduced requirement for years of professional experience.
• Progressively responsible professional experience in establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships with bilateral and multilateral donors, international financial institutions, and other funding partners.

Responsibilities

• Engage with funding partners and coordinate programming and submissions.
• Draft and negotiate funding agreements with UNIDO services and partners.
• Monitor funding trends and advise senior management on opportunities and risks.
• Coordinate donor reporting and ensure compliance and RBM across divisions.

Skills

Strategic partnerships

Donor engagement

Policy advisory

Resource mobilization

Education

Bachelor's degree in economics

Advanced degree or Doctorate

Job description

Vacancy Announcement

UNIDO is fully committed to achieving and maintaining workforce gender parity and to fostering an open, accessible, inclusive and respectful workplace that values diversity, equal opportunity and a healthy work-life balance. UNIDO, therefore, welcomes and encourages applications from qualified candidates of underrepresented genders, candidates from less-represented regions or nationalities, and candidates with disabilities, for whom reasonable accommodation will be provided in accordance with applicable policies.

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 inMember 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 is responsible for the Liaison Offices in Brussels (GLO/BRO), Geneva (GLO/GVO) and New York (GLO/NYO) as well as 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 position is located under the Division of Funding Partner Relations (GLO/FPR). The division establishes and maintains strategic and policy-level relations with funding partners. In this capacity, the Division also supports UNIDO's mobilization of voluntary contributions for technical cooperation activities through effective portfolio-level integrated programming and coordination with funding partners. Furthermore, the Division coordinates institutional assessments of UNIDO's fiduciary functions in close cooperation with SPP/SSC as well as project and programme-specific verifications in cooperation with COR/FIN and other organizational entities.

The External Relations Officer works under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Division; and in close collaboration with the colleagues to support the mandate of the Division.

At the P4 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver (a) work that is innovative and original; (b) in creating an enabling environment which expands across functions and sectors; (c) in building partnerships which result in advocating and championing UNIDO’s programmes and (d) in achieving results within Programme teams. The measure of success is systemic and catalytic 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

Under the direct supervision of the Division Chief of GLO/FPR and working in close coordination with relevant services in UNIDO, the incumbent will perform the following main duties:

Strategic engagement with funding partners

• Act as focal point concerning aspects of voluntary contributions for technical cooperation activities for selected funding partners, such as European Union institutions, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), the private sector, and foundations.
• Coordinate programming and consultative processes with funding partners in close cooperation with relevant organizational entities, providing guidance to such units to enable timely and accurate submissions to funding partners.
• Contribute to the Organization’s regular reporting mechanisms, including to its policymaking organs and relevant subsidiary bodies.
• Lead the coordination of selected institutional assessments undertaken by funding partners and contribute to their follow-up.

Management of contractual and administrative aspects of UNIDO’s relation with funding partners

• Draft and negotiate, in close cooperation with relevant UNIDO services, including the Office of Legal Affairs and the Division of Financial Resource Management, funding agreements regarding voluntary contributions for technical cooperation activities of UNIDO.
• Contribute to quality assurance procedures in the formulation and approval process of projects and programmes and related reporting requirements and advise relevant services on compliance requirements of specific funding partners.
• Actively contribute to the design and the continuous innovation of procedures and information management instruments, notably through the application of artificial intelligence, when indicated, required for the discharge of GLO/FPR’s functions and contribute to the further development of policies and procedures under the purview of the Division.
• Manage donor reporting-related tasks under the purview of GLO/FPR in close cooperation with the Division of Strategic Programming, Results Monitoring and Quality Assurance (SPP/SPM), the Division of Financial Resource Management (COR/FIN), and UNIDO’s technical cooperation functions.

Funding intelligence and strategic positioning

• Monitor and analyze evolving financing and donor trends and emerging funding instruments.
• Translate funding partner priorities and trends into strategic guidance for UNIDO’s technical cooperation directorates and field network, identifying where funding opportunities are emerging and how UNIDO may position its technical offer.
• Advise senior management on opportunities, risks and strategic shifts required to diversify and strengthen UNIDO’s funding base.
• Develop and maintain funding intelligence to support strategic resource mobilization and organizational decision-making.
• Support the assessment coordination of UNIDO’s technical cooperation pipeline and its strategic positioning vis‑à‑vis available funding opportunities, as applicable.

Non-traditional funding and diversification of funding partners

• Identify and support the diversification of funding sources and modalities, in cooperation with other relevant divisions.
  Contribute to institutional mechanisms enabling UNIDO’s financial and operational infrastructure to accommodate and effectively manage diversified forms of financing and contributions.
• Support UNIDO’s engagement with IFIs, MDBs and development finance institutions, in close cooperation with the relevant divisions.
• Identify and facilitate opportunities for UNIDO to participate in joint programming, pooled funding and other collaborative funding arrangements.

Institutional advisory, guidance and field support

• Provide guidance to technical cooperation directorates and field offices on funding opportunities, partner engagement, funding instruments and resource mobilization strategies.
• Develop practical guidance, tools and frameworks to strengthen the capacity of technical and field teams to identify, position and develop funding opportunities.
• Facilitate cross-organizational coordination and knowledge sharing on funding-partner engagement, funding trends project formulation and best practices.
• Contribute to the work of GLO/FPR in inter‑agency and inter‑institutional mechanisms and bodies on matters related to administrative, legal and financial aspects of funding mechanisms, resource mobilization and strategic engagements with funding partners.
• Perform other related duties and assignments as required by the Chief of the Division.

Minimum organizational requirements

Education: First-level university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) in economics, business administration, international relations, international development, public administration, international law or other field relevant to UNIDO’s mandate, 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 10 years of relevant professional experience
• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent): at least 7 years of relevant professional experience
• Doctorate: at least 5 years of relevant professional experience
• Progressively responsible professional experience in establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships with bilateral and multilateral donors, international financial institutions, and other funding partners, including international levels is required.
• Demonstrated experience in engagement and funding modalities of International Financial Institutions (IFIs), European Union institutions, foundations, and the private sector is required.
• Extensive experience in negotiating and drafting funding arrangements as well as in addressing related financial and administrative matters throughout the management cycle of funding agreements is required.
• Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization, donor engagement, and portfolio-level programme coordination is desirable.
• Proven track‑record in the management of institutional assessments performed by funding partners is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in fiduciary oversight, donor compliance and results-based management (RBM), including institutional assessments, performance monitoring, donor reporting, and coordination with finance and programme management functions is desirable.
• Knowledge and understanding Technical Cooperation implementation is desirable.
• Exposure to the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries is desirable.

Languages :

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

Core Values, Behaviours and Functional Competence

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 communication and teamwork; Share knowledge and embrace diversity
• Analyse & Plan - Use data and evidence for decision‑making; Plan proactively and prioritize effectively
• Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Take ownership and deliver quality outputs; Align work with UNIDO mission and objectives
• Learn and Develop - Continuously develop skills; Seek feedback and share knowledge
• Adapt and Innovate - Respond flexibly to change; Embrace innovation and new approaches

Functional Competence

• Continuously develop and maintain expertise
• Stay informed of industry trends and best practices
• Apply knowledge to improve results and decision‑making
• Adopt new tools and technologies
• Take ownership of professional development

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.

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.

Integrity, Respect and Inclusion

UNIDO is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, diversity, inclusion and mutual respect. Employees of UNIDO are required at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.UNIDO prohibits all forms of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority, and discrimination.

Through people‑centred policies, UNIDO supports its personnel in balancing professional and personal responsibilities through flexible working arrangements while maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations worldwide.