Title: Investment and Finance Specialist

​​Requisition ID: 7061
Grade: ISA-P3
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 6 months
Application Deadline: 22-Feb-2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL

Female candidates are 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.

The Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for the development of innovative UNIDO services in the areas of agro-industry and agribusiness, sustainability standards and fair production, and climate-relevant or climate-improving technologies. It is also, in collaboration with ODG, responsible for developing innovative technical cooperation concepts, identifying new sources and means of finance and entering into new partnerships with a broad range of relevant stakeholders.

The Division of Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST) develops and implements an innovative service package in response to UNIDO's mandate for fair and responsible local industrial production and trade with a particular focus on building the required skills and capacities and foster a conducive business operating environment to ensure that such production and trade are as inclusive as possible, promoting – among others – the development of human capital through vocational training and industrial skills development.

The Sustainable Investments and Responsible Business Unit (IET/PST/SIB) fosters the uptake of sustainability standards in Member States across local, regional and global value supply chains. To this end, it induces responsible investments into sustainable value chains working with multinational corporation (MNC) networks and other platforms such as the UNGC, UNPRI and others to advance socially-minded, gender-responsive and responsible business. The Unit supports Member States in establishing robust empirical systems and norms at the country and regional level to monitor the contribution of value chains to economic, social and environmental sustainability standards and advances cooperation between firms, institutions and policy actors to advance required reforms. The Unit also supports the transition of public and private procurement and consumption patterns to become greener and more socially balanced and incentivizes supply chains to become investment ready.

PROGRAMME CONTEXT

The EU-funded Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) Programme, a Sub-Saharan African initiative aims at sustainably increasing intra-African and EU-Africa trade. In addition to a continental component, the programme comprises five regional components in the ECOWAS, COMESA, SADC, ECCAS and EAC regions, building on existing or previous regional programmes (WACOMP in West Africa, MARKUP in East Africa, PIQAC in Central Africa, RECAMP and SIPS in Southern Africa). The overall objective (impact) of the ATCMA Programme is to increase sustainable intra-African and EU-Africa trade through the pursuance of specific objectives (outcomes) of (i) enhanced market access for selected value chains and (ii) enhanced export competitiveness for SMEs in selected value chains.

The programme is thematically structured into five components leading to 5 outputs as follows:

In relation to Specific Objective 1:

Output 1.1: Market access barriers identified and reduced

Output 1.2: Strengthened quality compliance and standards

Output 1.3: Value-chain revision mechanism facilitated

In relation to Specific Objective 2:

Output 2.1: Enhanced value addition and diversification

Output 2.2: Enhanced SME capacities and opportunities for business and export

While UNIDO is in charge of implementing output 1.2 and 2.1., ITC is responsible for the implementation of output 1.1, 1.3 and 2.2.

ID 240104 - Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) Programme – ECOWAS

The overall focus of this four-year ATCMA ECOWAS Programme is to address market access challenges faced by selected value chains in the West Africa region and enhance their competitiveness, through two pillars:

1. Supporting countries to benefit from trade opportunities by enabling them to conform with standards and technical regulations, requiring quality infrastructure and conformity assessment services, as well as by streamlining regulatory and procedural frameworks at the regional and national levels. The programme will help the African countries to benefit from trade opportunities by being able to conform with standards and technical regulations, which requires establishing efficient testing, certification and accreditation mechanisms that conform to the requirements of the SPS and TBT agreements and benefit from international recognition. It will also strengthen governmental institutions in their capacity of creating a more conducive business environment for MSMEs.

2. Maximizing MSME export potential and access to new markets by overcoming constraints or developing enablers like value addition, and export capacities: In order to maximise MSMEs export potential and support them to enter new markets, the Programme will also address other market access constraints or enablers: enhance value addition and export capacities through marketing, labelling, branding strategies, sustainability and environmental issues, technology transfer and processing for export, business promotion through market linkages and capacitate trade and investment support institutions. Support will be provided both at institutional and policy level, as well as at private sector level, with a primary focus on selected key export-oriented regional priority value chains. Particular focus on intra-African exports as well as exports to the EU will be given, so regions can fully exploit their trade-driven growth potential, with a view to contribute to sustainable growth and jobs creation.

Within this framework, Activity 2.1.7 – Access to innovative financing and investment solutions for selected value chains facilitated and promoted – responds to one of the critical bottlenecks for sustainable industrial development in the ECOWAS region.

ID 240325 – Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) Programme – SADC

Obstacles to intra-regional trade in Southern Africa consist of poor infrastructure, low manufacturing production and low quality of exported products, restrictive business environments, mismatch between the needs of other regions in Africa and exports of Southern African countries, technical barriers to trade, weak financial integration and the lack of market information on existing opportunities in other African regional communities. Moreover, enterprises, especially women-led and youth-led Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) within the continent, continue to face challenges that hinder their ability to participate effectively in sustainable intra-regional trade, hampering value addition and job creation. The programme aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and in particular its flagship initiative; the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Key interventions under the programme will also support the operationalization of the AU SME Strategy, the Africa Quality Policy and the Accelerated Industrial Development for Africa (AIDA) amongst others, as well as REC-specific policy objectives and strategies, such as the SADC Vision 2050 and the SADC Industrialization Strategy and Roadmap (SISR 2015–2063).

Under Activity 2.1.5: Supporting access to finance and investment, in collaboration with key SADC stakeholders (including the SADC Secretariat, SADC BC, SADC Member State investment promotion agencies and financial institutions), UNIDO will support relevant financial institutions and potential investors to provide accessible, gender/youth-sensitive and responsive, and green/innovative financial products for the selected value chains to promote technology upgrading and green technology investments. These investments should also specifically take gender and youth lenses.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

The main activities in both ECOWAS and SADC regions broadly include:

• Strengthen investment promotion and intermediary institutions through baseline capacity assessments, targeted capacity building programmes, and deployment of tools such as COMFAR and gender lens investing approaches to enable the preparation, appraisal, and packaging of bankable, gender responsive investment opportunities.
• Develop investment ready pipelines and business cases for priority sectors/value chains by conducting feasibility studies, financial modelling, environmental and social assessments, governance and readiness diagnostics, and preparing phased implementation plans with indicative budgets and KPIs.
• Facilitate access to innovative and blended financing solutions, including green/ESG compliant instruments, leasing and vendor finance, guarantees, working capital solutions, and risk mitigation mechanisms, while linking technical upgrading and compliance improvements to financial viability.
• Promote investment through matchmaking, outreach, and digital platforms, including structured B2B meetings, targeted lead generation (regional and international), support to digital investment portals, and engagement with DFIs, impact investors, private equity, and technology partners.
• Enhance policy dialogue and enabling frameworks by convening structured discussions between governments and investors on incentives, investment protection, and alignment with regional frameworks (e.g., IF4D, SIFA), and translating dialogue outputs into implementable policy packages tied to concrete investment opportunities.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Project Managers, the Investment and Finance Specialist assists in appraising, adjusting and presenting project proposals, and monitoring programme execution, identifying problems and utilizing information as an input to corrective actions to promote effective project management, develops and administers technical cooperation projects. The incumbent shall carry out following main duties.

• Locate and analyze specific economic and social data and distilling and synthesizing information relevant to proposed projects;

• Identify, describe and justify project possibilities related to a particular project and consistent with approved technical cooperation programmes and ongoing activities;

• Appraise, review and adjust project proposals to ensure consistency with national, sub regional, regional and sectoral priorities and programmes, and with available resources; formulate and present such proposals on the basis of technical and substantive inputs in accordance with required format for final review and approval;

• Develop schedules, arrangements and methods for the management of the execution of individual project/s, in consultation with project personnel, technical, substantive and administrative service units;

• Exchange information required for project formulation and execution with government officials in planning, finance, donor input coordination and sectoral functions, as well as with representatives of multilateral and bilateral donor agencies;

• Monitor and expedite project execution systematically through discussions and correspondence with technical, substantive and project staff, field visits, analysis of periodic project progress reports, participation in tripartite reviews and mid-term project evaluations; utilize information obtained as an input to corrective decision-making and revisions;

• Organize and conduct briefings and debriefings on projects with special regard for the country, sub regional and regional aspects, resources and development characteristics, with a view to maximizing project performance levels.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in finance, economics, or business administration is required. A relevant PhD is an advantage.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least five (5) years of professional experience in technical cooperation project management or portfolio project management including some exposure at the international level, is required.
• Experience working with sustainable financial instruments and products, e.g., via derisking and blended finance, and financial literacy programmes is desirable.
• Experience in capacity-building and financial literacy programmes for project developers or financial institutions is desirable.
• Familiarity with impact investment frameworks, ESG integration, and access to carbon credit or green finance markets is desirable.
• Ability to research and analyse information independently and recommend solutions is required.
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner is required.
• Ability to work effectively in multi-cultural teams is desirable.
• Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge in French is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of any other language spoken in ECOWAS and SADC member states 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 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.

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