UNIDO ScaleX Programme Expert

Job title: UNIDO ScaleX Programme Expert

Company: United Nations Industrial Development Organization


Job description: ​​Requisition ID: 5221
Grade: ISA-Specialist
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 1 year with the possibility of extension
Application Deadline: 24-Mar-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXTThe 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 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 in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.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, Regional Offices and Hubs 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 Directorate manages the functions of the Ethics and Accountability Unit (COR/EAU), the Risk Management and Compliance Unit (COR/RCU), the Divisions of Financial Resource Management (COR/FIN) and Human Resources Management (COR/HRM), as well as the following Services: Procurement Services (COR/PRO); Digitalization, Innovation and TC Optimization Services (COR/DIT); Facility Management Services (COR/BMS); and Asset Management and Logistics Services (COR/AML). The Directorate also manages personnel security and safety matters. The Directorate ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant organizational entities in all Directorates across the Organization.UNIDO InnoLabThe position is located under the Innovation Lab (COR/DIT/LAB). The UNIDO Innovation Lab (InnoLab) focuses on enabling organization-wide platform for advancing industrial innovation and digital transformation, with a dual mandate:

• Supporting internal UNIDO teams by integrating innovation methodologies and digital tools into technical cooperation projects and policy work.
• Designing and implementing standalone innovation programmes that leverage emerging technologies, new business models, and multi-stakeholder partnerships to scale transformative industrial solutions globally.

As part of its portfolio, InnoLab leads ScaleX, UNIDO’s new flagship global innovation acceleration programme, aimed at de-risking market entry and scaling for startups, scaleups, and SMEs in emerging and frontier markets. ScaleX provides structured pathways to commercial adoption and investment readiness through:

• Real-world testbeds, where companies can validate their technologies and business models in live market conditions.
• Policy sandboxes, enabling regulatory experimentation to help governments adapt policies and create conducive environments for innovation.
• Corporate-backed validation, engaging multinational enterprises (MNEs), local industry leaders, and development finance institutions (DFIs) to accelerate technology adoption and commercialization.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIESUnder the supervision of the Head of the UNIDO Innovation Lab, the ScaleX Programme Expert will be responsible for leading the development, implementation, and expansion of the ScaleX programme. The incumbent will coordinate multi-stakeholder partnerships, oversee testbeds and policy sandboxes, and support the overall strategic direction of the programme. In particular, the incumbent will perform the following key functions:Programme Development and Implementation

• Co-lead the design and operationalization of ScaleX, ensuring the programme framework aligns with UNIDO’s strategic priorities and the needs of target markets.
• Develop and refine structured models for testbeds and policy sandboxes to support SMEs in scaling innovative industrial solutions.
• Oversee the selection and engagement of startups, scaleups, and SMEs participating in ScaleX initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

• Manage partnerships with relevant public and private sector stakeholders, including governments, multinational enterprises, development finance institutions, and innovation hubs.
• Foster collaborations with policymakers to facilitate regulatory adaptation and policy sandboxing mechanisms.
• Represent ScaleX in relevant international forums and innovation-focused events.

Testbed and Policy Sandbox Coordination

• Oversee the establishment and operation of testbeds in selected pilot countries, ensuring their sustainability and scalability.
• Develop methodologies for tracking and evaluating the impact of testbeds on technology adoption and SME growth.
• Guide host governments in implementing policy sandbox initiatives to create enabling environments for scaling industrial innovations.

Resource Mobilization and Funding Strategy

• Co-develop a resource mobilization strategy to secure co-financing from public and private sector partners.
• Identify funding opportunities from development partners, multilateral institutions, and impact investors to support programme expansion.
• Monitor funding utilization, ensuring financial sustainability and compliance with UNIDO guidelines.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Co-define key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of ScaleX testbeds and policy sandboxes.
• Develop periodic reports, case studies, and policy recommendations based on programme insights.
• Ensure continuous learning and adaptation by incorporating feedback from stakeholders and participants.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTSEducation: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in business administration, innovation management, international development, industrial policy, engineering, or a related field is required.Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in managing innovation acceleration programmes, industrial development initiatives, or startup ecosystems is required.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing market access and scaling programmes for startups, SMEs, or corporate innovation initiatives is required.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and managing public-private partnerships, particularly with multinational enterprises, investors, and government agencies is required.
• Familiarity with testbeds, policy sandboxes, or regulatory innovation frameworks is desirable.
• Experience in resource mobilization, including securing co-financing from donors, development finance institutions, and private sector partners is desired.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.REQUIRED VALUES AND COMPETENCIESCore 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.orgNOTE: 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

Expected salary:

Location: Wien

Job date: Sun, 02 Mar 2025 07:08:25 GMT

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