Intern - Sustainable Investment and Responsible Business, Vienna, Austria
Title: Intern - Sustainable Investment and Responsible Business
Vacancy Announcement
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 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.
Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with relevant organizational entities, 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 cooperation concepts, identifying new sources and means of innovative finance and entering into new partnerships with a broad range of relevant stakeholders.
The Directorate is responsible for the Divisions of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR), Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST), Climate and Technology Partnerships (IET/CTP), Innovative Finance and International Financial Institutions (IET/IFI), and Public‑Private Partnerships (IET/PPP). Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, IET collaborates closely with TCS to develop and implement programmes and projects, aiming at enhancing synergy and complementarity and maximizing UNIDO corporate performance and impacts on the ground. The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in all Directorates across the Organization.
Under the supervision of the Managing Director, Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), and in close coordination with other organizational entities, 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 inclusive, promoting - among others - the just adoption of sustainability standards and mandatory due diligence legislation as well as the development of human capital through vocational training and industrial skills development.
In collaboration with relevant organizational entities, the Division will conceptualize and negotiate services and raise funds from Member States, development partners, IFIs, and the private sector to 61 coordinate their effective implementation and devise ways in which their implementation can be brought to scale. This will include cross‑cutting and sector‑specific initiatives for sustainable supply/value chain and skills development in industrial sectors where UNIDO has, over the years, accumulated expertise. It will do so through close engagement with Member States, private sector associations, industrial enterprises, international quality, standards and trade‑related governing bodies, other UN agencies, development partners, NGOs and consumer associations, ensuring solid and operational partnerships.
The Sustainable Investments and Responsible Business Unit (IET/PST/SIB) fosters the uptake of responsible business conduct in Member States across local, regional and global value and supply chains. To this end, it induces responsible investments into sustainable value chains working with multinational corporation networks and other platforms to advance socially‑minded, youth and gender‑responsive as well as responsible business conduct. The Unit supports Member States in enhancing their enabling institutional and policy frameworks and the ability to comply with international standards at the country and regional level to monitor the contribution of value chains to economic, social and environmental sustainability standards. To this end, it facilitates cooperation between firms, institutions and policy actors to advance required reforms and raise required investments. The Unit also supports the transition of public and private procurement to become greener and more socially balanced and to leverage positive market signals to facilitate supplier linkages, supplier development and transformative supply chain investments and investment‑ready supply chains.
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.
The intern will specifically contribute to the ATCMA regional components of COMESA (Project ID 240108), ECOWAS (Project ID 240104) and SADC (Project ID 240325), and specifically support the thematic component on voluntary sustainability standards and sustainable supply chains (under output 1.2), and the access to finance and investment components (under output 2.1).
GENERIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the project manager(s) and relevant technical staff, the intern will provide administrative, research, and coordination support across the following areas:
Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) Programme
Provide general support in gathering, organizing, and reviewing basic projects and investment‑related information, and in analyzing finance and supply chain ecosystems.
Assist with preparing background materials, summaries, and draft inputs for analysis and reporting.
Support meetings, workshops, and training activities through administrative and logistical assistance.
Help maintain organized records, databases, and contact lists related to projects and stakeholders.
Assist with outreach and communication activities, including maintaining contact databases and preparing simple materials.
Conduct desk research and background reviews on sustainability, policy, corporate responsibility and investment and finance topics, under guidance from project staff.
Assist in summarizing key information and preparing basic briefing and reference materials.
Help organize and maintain policy documents and internal resources for ongoing programme work.
Other special emerging projects and tasks that may enhance the learning experience of the Intern, relating to the mandate of the unit to enhance sustainable investment and responsible business conduct.
The Intern will be required to prepare an end‑of‑internship report, which will be submitted to and cleared by HRM.
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Education: Enrolled in a second level university degree programme (master's or equivalent) or higher; or begin the internship within one year of completing a second level university degree; or be enrolled in the final academic year of a first‑degree programme (bachelor's or equivalent); or begin the internship within one year of completing a first level university degree. Only accredited institutions will be considered.
Field of specialization: Trade and Investment Facilitation, Development Economics, International Affairs.
Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of French and Portuguese is an asset. Knowledge of another official United Nations language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) is an advantage.
Other skills: Prior experience in investment facilitation and access to finance is highly desirable. Proficiency in relevant software tools, including familiarity with ArcGIS, will be considered an asset.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Internships at UNIDO are full‑time and shall be for a period of three to six months. For internships fully sponsored through partner institutions, the maximum duration shall be twelve months, subject to prior HRM agreement. Extensions beyond the initially agreed duration are not permitted.
Interns receive a monthly stipend based on their duty station.
Interns are responsible for living expenses, accommodation, visas, and related costs.
CORE 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.
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.
LEARNING ELEMENTS
Become acquainted with the most up‑to‑date technical, economic and industrial developments in the relevant field of specialization of the Sustainable Investments and Responsible Business Unit. Furthermore, intern is expected to deepen their knowledge in the fields of data collection and assessing the feasibility and bankability of investment projects.
Gain experience in investment and international economic cooperation.
On the job training: participation in every phase of the working process.
Gain experience in working effectively in a diverse and multi‑cultural environment.
UNIDO Interns are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity at all times, both at work and outside. Only candidates who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for internships at UNIDO.
All applications must be submitted through the UNIDO Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process.
Visit the UNIDO employment website for details on how to apply: www.careers.unido.org
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: internship@unido.org
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