Title: Director, Evaluation and Internal Oversight

Requisition ID: 7066
Grade: D1
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: 180,586 USD
Application Deadline: 23-Feb-2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

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

UNIDO welcomes applications from qualified persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to applicants and employees with disabilities to support full participation in the recruitment process and in the performance of their duties.

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 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 to a greater or lesser extent to all SDGs.

The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) is UNIDO’s core strategic document. As the Organization moves from the 2022–2025 cycle to the 2026–2029 MTPF, it sets a renewed vision to support Member States shape their industries for development. The new priorities include renewable and clean energy, sustainable access and climate action, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, and fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains. 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 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, Sub-regional Offices 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, the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, and the Riyadh Declaration adopted at the twenty-first session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2025 - 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 to a greater or lesser extent to all SDGs.

The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) is UNIDO’s core strategic document. As the Organization moves from the 2022–2025 cycle to the 2026–2029 MTPF, it sets a renewed vision to support Member States shape their industries for development. The new priorities include renewable and clean energy, sustainable access and climate action, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, and fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains. 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 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, Sub-regional Offices and Country Offices.

The Office of Evaluation and Internal Oversight (EIO) is an internal body organizationally located within the Office of the Director General of UNIDO. It is responsible for providing the Director General, the Industrial Development Board, and management at large with independent and objective assurance and advice, through internal audits, investigations and evaluations. It adds value to and improves the efficiency and effectiveness of UNIDO’s operations, the internal control framework, risk management, RBM, and governance processes of the Organization. The functions of the Office are governed by the EIO Charter (as approved by the Industrial Development Board in decision IDB.48/Dec.10 on 25 November 2020) and its three supplementary functional policies, namely the Evaluation Policy, the Internal Audit Policy and the Investigation Policy. EIO enjoys operational independence in relation to the performance and operations of its evaluation, internal audit and investigation functions.

Within the broad priorities above and specific direction cascaded downward, the Director shall formulate, cascade, monitor, evaluate and report on the results of the annual programmatic and management priorities established for the areas under his/her responsibilities.

As the Chief Audit Executive of the Organization within the meaning of the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing of the Institute of Internal Auditors, as well as the lead authority in the Organization on independent evaluation, internal audit and investigation, the Director is expected to lead the Office under his/her supervision (a) in work that is ground breaking; (b) in creating an enabling environment which empowers; (c) in building partnerships which result in institutional relationship building; and (d) in achieving results which are cross-functional and cross organizational.

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.

In accordance with the recommendations of the United Nations Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) regarding Heads of Internal Oversight functions, and prevailing best practice, the maximum term of office for this role shall total 6 years, with an initial fixed-term appointment of 3 years, which may be renewed for another 3-year fixed term. Upon completion of the term of office, a post-employment restriction of 24 months shall apply within UNIDO.

II. Main Responsibilities

Technical

• Provide the Director General and management at large with independent, objective assurance and advice designed to add value to and improve UNIDO’s operations as well as emphasize transparency; support UNIDO in accomplishing its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined and objective approach to assess and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of UNIDO’s operations, internal control framework, risk management, results-based management and governance processes.

• Provide evidence-based analysis and information that is objective, credible, reliable and useful, to enable the timely incorporation of findings, recommendations, management action plans, and lessons learned into decision-making processes at organization, programme, and project levels. Periodically report to the Director General and Senior Management on the implementation of recommendations and management action plans (MAPs) from evaluations and audits; as well as any related risks to operations, the internal control framework, RBM and governance processes.
• Conduct fact-findings in cases of alleged irregularity, wrongdoing, waste of resources and/or violation of UNIDO’s regulations, rules and procedures detected by and/or reported to EIO, with a view to safeguarding the Organization’s interests and ensuring accountability.
• Independent evaluations to determine the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and impact of technical cooperation programmes and projects and global forum activities; undertake strategic, country level and thematic evaluations on cross-programmatic or institutional aspects.
• Periodically report on the activities of the Office to the policymaking organs, in line with the EIO Charter.
• Act as the focal point within UNIDO for the Joint Inspection Unit of the United Nations system.
• Function as the Secretariat for the Independent Oversight Advisory Committee to facilitate the work of the Committee in accordance with its mandate.
• Maintain and develop partnerships with other organizations of the United Nations within the context of the UN bodies and oversight networks, such as the United Nations Evaluation Group, the United Nations Representatives of Internal Audit Services and the United Nations Representatives of Investigation Services.
• Cooperate with the relevant services of other international organizations to contribute to the oversight partnerships and joint or coordinated activities.

Managerial

• Lead the Units under his/her supervision, in aligning the work programme of the Office with the organizational priorities and in this context, formulate, cascade, implement and report on the priorities of the Office.
• Manage the financial and human resources assigned to the Office ensuring appropriate delegation, accountability, responsibility, guidance and supervision. In this context, is responsible for the collective results of the Divisions in the Office.
• Ensure that staff supervised effectively manage and motivate staff under their supervision and hold them accountable for the management of the performance of their staff. Ensure appropriate controls for monitoring and reporting; performance management; motivation of staff and other appropriate measures to ensure optimal utilization of such resources. In the recruitment of staff of EIO, support the Director General to reach the organizational goals for improving geographical and gender balance.
• Advise the Director General in other areas, to the extent they concern the Office; ensure efficient distribution and coordination of actions; effective linkages; cross-functional teamwork; flow of communication lines and management information among different spans of controls.
• Advise the Director General and senior managers on other special projects and assignments, in accordance with the EIO Charter.

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.

Managerial and Leadership Competencies

WE ARE STRATEGIC, DECISIVE, PRINCIPLED AND INSPIRATIONAL: As managers, we are strategic and fair in driving our team’s performance. As leaders, we are a source of inspiration, stand for norms and standards established in the UN Charter and duty bound to defend these ideals with a principled approach.

WE ARE INCLUSIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE: As managers, we are inclusive in our approach and maintain constructive engagement with all our stakeholders. As leaders, we embrace all personnel and stakeholders and are accountable mutually within UNIDO, within the system, to beneficiaries and the public and beyond.

WE ARE MULTI-DIMENSIONAL AND TRANSFORMATIONAL: As managers, we go beyond conventional methods to help our organizational units strengthen their own agility and adaptability to change. As leaders in the UN system, we have a vision, which is integrated and engaged across the pillars of Peace and Security, Human Rights and Development.

WE ARE COLLABORATIVE AND CO-CREATIVE: As managers, we foster a team spirit and create meaningful opportunities to hear the voices of those around us, while realizing that only by working together can we accomplish our mission. As leaders, we see the inter-dependency of imperatives of the UN Charter and personally champion a collaborative inter-agency, multi-stakeholders and cross-thinking approach.

IV. Organizational Requirements and Desirable Criteria

Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Management, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Engineering or another field relevant to UNIDO’s mandate, is required. A professional certification in auditing, accounting, investigation, or evaluation, such as Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), is desirable.

Experience: A minimum of twelve (12) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the audit, accounting, investigation, or evaluation service of a government or international or non-governmental organization, leading and directing both technical and non-technical groups and teams, is required. Experience in a senior level managerial position, preferably at the international level, is required.

• Demonstrated experience managing complex audits, investigations and/or evaluations in multi‑stakeholder, international development settings is required.
• Proven experience in managing and leading independent cross sectorial and/or cross-functional teams, is desirable.
• Understanding of UN system operations, development frameworks, and program cycles is required.
• Ability to develop and implement an evaluation strategy aligned with organizational goals is required.
• Leadership in promoting an evaluation culture across the organization is required.
• Oversight of institutional evaluation frameworks and compliance with UNEG norms is desirable.

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

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