Job Description

Title: Associate Procurement Expert

Requisition ID: 7204
Grade: L2
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 - 200 series
Indicative Minimum Net Annual Salary: 87,600 EUR
Application Deadline: 30.03.2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
THE APPOINTMENT IS LIMITED TO THE SPECIFIED PROJECT(S) ONLY AND DOES NOT CARRY ANY EXPECTATION OF RENEWAL.
Female candidates 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.

Detailed information on the project can be found at UNIDO’s Open Data Platform: https://open.unido.org/

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 in Member 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 of Corporate Services and Operations (COR), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible and accountable for the management of UNIDO’s human, financial and material resources, ensuring the capacity of the Organization to fulfil its mandate. The Directorate oversees a full range of corporate services to meet the support needs of the Organization, acts as a custodian for corporate management policies, and promotes a culture of cooperation, service orientation and corporate excellence throughout the Organization to deliver efficient and effective high-quality work and enable tangible impact on the ground to achieve ISID worldwide.

The Procurement Services (COR/PRO) carries out all procurement, grants management and contracting services on behalf of the Organization relating to HQ, the field, and TC activities. It aims to support the increase of TC delivery, while maintaining smooth and efficient operations of the HQ, including VIC-maintenance, and the field offices, through efficient and effective procurement actions. COR/PRO ensures that UNIDO continues to follow best practices in supply chain management and gains recognition as a leader in the field.

The incumbent shall be responsible for providing COR/PRO’s support to the ATCMA Lead Division (TCS/SME), and Programme Managers from the other in-house Divisions implementing the ATCMA Programme activities, to ensure a smooth implementation of the Programme.

At the L2 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver: (a) work that is analytical in contributing to results achieved by the Division; (b) in creating an enabling environment for collaborative work which is catalytic to achieving results; (c) in building relationships which contributes to counterparts’ engagement and (d) in achieving results that provide baselines for a service. The measure of success is timely, consistent and appropriate 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. Project/Programme Context

In support to the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and within the framework of the ongoing European Union (EU) - African Union (AU) partnership, the EU (DG INTPA) approved the Action Document for the programme entitled ‘’Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access Programme (ATCMA), in the amount of EUR 205 million in November 2022 financed under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI). The ATCMA Programme will be developed through several regional components, 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. A single framework Action will ensure a structured approach and coherence between the different continental and regional components of the Programme, connect all these components, and maximise their coherence and joint impact with a common view to contribute to the AfCFTA and economic integration.

The overall focus of the Programme is on mature value chains in Sub-Saharan Africa, with market access challenges, through two pillars:

Supporting countries to benefit from trade opportunities by enabling them to conform with standards and technical regulations, requiring quality infrastructure and conformity assessment services: 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.
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.

The Overall Objective (Impact) of ATCMA is to contribute to increase sustainable intra-African and EU-Africa trade.

The Specific(s) Objective(s) (Outcomes) of this Action are:

1. Enhanced market access for selected value chains

2. Enhanced export competitiveness for SMEs in selected value chains

The Outputs to be delivered by this Action are:

1.1 Market access barriers are identified and reduced

1.2 Quality compliance and standards are strengthened

1.3 Facilitate a value-chain revision mechanism

2.1 Enhance value addition and diversification

2.2 SME capacities and opportunities for business and export are enhanced

The ATCMA Programme will contribute in particular to SDG 8 (Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all) as well as to SDG 9 (Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 5 (achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls).

Coordination among the continental and regional components will be ensured throughout the overall programme implementation.

ATCMA is covered by UNIDO through the following projects:

240112 - Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access Programme (ATCMAP) – continental component
240104 - Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access Programme (ATCMAP) – Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Programme
240108 - Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access Programme (ATCMAP) - Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) regional programme
240111 - Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access Programme (ATCMAP) - Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)
240325 - Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access Programme (ATCMA) – SADC Regional Programme

III. Main Responsibilities:

The Associate Procurement Expert works under the overall guidance of the Chief Procurement Services (COR/PRO),/ and the direct supervision of Contracts Officer-Team Lead responsible for the project and in close collaboration with colleagues from TCS/SME (ATCMA Lead Division) to support the mandate, shall carry out the following activities to achieve the results and outcomes of the Procurement Services.

Strategic Procurement/Grants Management:

Provide technical support in procurement, contracting and grants management by carrying out a variety of supplies and service contracts, grant agreements, among others, in accordance with UNIDO rules and procedures in the context of the ATCMA Programme;
Assist in developing and monitoring the procurement/grants planning activities, including planning detailed procurement/grants-related actions for the ATCMA Components (Continental, COMESA, ECCAS, ECOWAS and SADC), collaborating with Programme Managers involved in the different Components to define and specify services, goods and grants requirements;
Provide procedural guidance to potential bidders, clients and other stakeholders of the ATCMA Programme on matters related to rules and regulations of UNIDO’s procurement and grants management, whenever such needs arise;
Conduct market research, surveys and analysis, keeping abreast of market developments, trends and best practices, researching innovative/new technologies and products or services; with a view to evaluate and recommend potential supply sources and refine procurement requirements to ensure, where relevant, best value for money, best practice supply chain management, and sustainable procurement;

Tactical/Operational Procurement:

Prepare necessary inputs and coordinate the procurement and grants management processes, bearing in mind best practice supply chain management and procurement & contracting principles, grants management, sustainable procurement, and best value for money considerations. These include preparing bidding documents, disseminating/publishing bidding documents, arranging bid conferences; issuing clarifications or amendments to bidding documents, arranging bid opening sessions, conducting the preliminary examination, comparison and commercial evaluation of bids, reviewing the technical evaluation performed by ATCMA Programme Managers, arranging for contract award or any other action, and preparing all related bidding and contract documents and templates/forms, memoranda and reports;
Support due diligence work to confirm that (i) the relevant procurement request is complete, (ii) the detailed justifications provided by the ATCMA Programme Manager(s) satisfy relevant pre-conditions for invoking the relevant type of competition/waiver, and (iii) by invoking the particular type of competition/waiver, UNIDO’s procurement principles are upheld, where procurement cases require limited international or local competition, restricted competition or exception to competition;
Prepare procurement case submissions to the relevant authorized Procurement Official and/or the Procurement Committee for its review and subsequent approval by the Managing Director, COR, and, when required, attend meetings of the Committee to facilitate decision making processes;
Participate in negotiations with bidders/contractors when required;
Prepare and sign purchase orders/contracts/grant agreements up to authorized limits, and, in cases where the amount exceeds such limits, submit them for approval by the relevant authorized Procurement Official, by due reference to relevant commercial & technical terms and conditions;
Execute and monitor the day-to-day administrative controls in the procurement/grants management cycle and adherence to terms and conditions, service-level agreements, key performance indicators in outstanding purchase orders/contracts/agreements.
In line with the guidelines and procedures, conduct amendments, cancellations and extensions of purchase orders/contracts/agreements. Inform concerned parties on contractual rights and obligations. Formulates and recommend solutions to resolve issues/conflicts which may arise.

Procurement/Grants Management Advocacy, Advice, Training & Guidance:

Prepare a variety of procurement- and/or grants management-related reports, presentations, and statistical information as needed supporting management oversight and service delivery monitoring.
Contribute to provide training and capacity building measures to relevant stakeholders, both internal and external parties, on procurement, grants management or implementing partner agreement related processes;
Perform other related duties and assignments as required by the Contracts Officer – Team Lead, in line with the mandate of COR/PRO and the implementation of the ATCMA Programme.

IV. Minimum requirements and desirable criteria

Education:

A first level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in business administration, economics, law, public administration, commerce, or other related discipline is required. An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) or a Doctorate in the same fields are accepted with a reduced requirement for years of professional experience.

A minimum of UNDP CIPS Level 2 certificate or equivalent recognized qualification in procurement is desirable.

Experience, technical knowledge and functional expertise

A minimum level of professional experience aligned with the educational background is required, as follows:

First‑level university degree (Bachelor’s): at least 6 years of relevant professional experience
Advanced university degree (Master’s): at least 3 years of relevant professional experience
Doctorate: at least 1 year of relevant professional experience

Professional experience in the areas of procurement, grants management, business management services, supply chain management, including experience in private industry and/or in governmental or international organizations is required.
Experience working with EU - funded programmes is desirable.
Familiarity with the African development context is desirable.
Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment is required.
Experience in the fields of public/UN procurement policies, rules and regulations is desirable.
Working experience with ERP/procurement-related system is desirable.

Language Skills:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of other official UN languages particularly French is desirable.

V. 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.

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: recruitment@unido.org