Requisition ID: 7992
Grade: Intern
Category: Internship
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Country: Austria
Duty Station: Vienna
Entry Date: As soon as possible
Internship Duration: 3-6 months
Application Deadline: 04-Sep-2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)
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 all relevant organizational entities within UNIDO, the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, ensures the Organization's application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to environment, energy, Micro, Small and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs), and digitalization. The Directorate also oversees the Organization's normative contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through industrial policy advice and capacity development. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute to effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results, scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.
The Directorate is responsible for the Division of Industrial Policy Advice and Capacity Development (TCS/IPC), and technical Divisions of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG), Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA), Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP); MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI). Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, TCS collaborates closely with IET 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.
This internship position is located under the Division of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI) which promotes digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence as well as associated technologies as part of innovation ecosystems consisting of productive capacities in manufacturing, services and digital firms, with the purpose to advance the competitiveness of industries and manufacturing firms in Member States. It helps industries to benefit from the rapid progress in digital and convergent technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), ensuring a smooth transition towards safe and secured cyber- physical industrial systems and a smart society and mitigating any negative adverse effects on employment and quality of work. Through the Division's services, the productive transformation is the key, by integrating industrial businesses, dynamic entrepreneurship, and acceleration services, and by applying technological innovation to smart manufacturing, smart energy, smart agribusiness and others, in developing countries, transition and emerging economies, with emphasis in developing countries to provide the opportunity to technologically catch up instead of falling behind industries in more advanced countries.
The Intern shall work under the direct supervision of an officer designated by the Chief of the Division of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI) and shall be engaged as follows:
- Exposed to the regular core functions of the Division and as such shall have the opportunity to observe the day-to-day operations and engage in on-the-job training in specific actions delegated by the Supervisor.
- Engaged in a specific self-contained assignment described below:
- Support the preparation of the joint UNIDO–IBM–Oxford Insights publication introducing the AI & Digital for Industry Navigator (AIDIN) and its underlying methodology, foreseen for a soft launch at UNGA81 (New York, September 2026), including by conducting desk research and literature reviews, preparing first drafts of background inputs, assisting with the consolidation of partner contributions, and supporting reference checking, formatting and editorial follow-up;
- Provide organizational support for the preparation of UNIDO’s engagements at UNGA81, including the high-level side event co-hosted by UNIDO and IBM and UNIDO’s participation in the Digital Cooperation Day, by assisting with meeting documentation, preparing first drafts of agendas, invitation lists, speaker briefing materials and follow-up notes, and supporting event logistics, as guided by the supervisor;
- Assist the project team in supporting the piloting of the AIDIN platform in selected countries, including through the collection, verification and structuring of country-level AI and digital readiness data and indicators, and by helping prepare and maintain related documentation and progress notes;
- Support further GDC-related tasks of the Division, in particular in relation to UNIDO’s engagement under GDC Objective 2 on an inclusive digital economy, including by preparing first drafts of briefing inputs, presentations, summaries and notes on AI, innovation and digital economy topics;
- Support the preparation of materials for activities of AIM Global (Global Alliance on AI for Industry and Manufacturing), including meeting documentation, presentations and knowledge exchange products, in particular in preparation of the AIM Global Action Forum (Vienna, November 2026) and the formal launch of AIDIN;
- Provide general organizational and administrative support, including assisting with the organization of meetings, technical events and webinars, preparing notes and summaries, and helping maintain documentation on ongoing activities and partnerships;
- Perform other related tasks as assigned by the supervisor.
- Other Special emerging Projects that may enhance the learning experience of the Intern.
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: Information systems, computer science, data science, digital innovation, economics, public policy, international development or another discipline relevant to AI and digital transformation. A demonstrated interest in AI, digital transformation, data analysis or digital economy topics — for example through coursework, academic research, prior internships or extracurricular activities — is required.
Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.
Other skills: Proficiency in standard office software (MS Office) is required. Familiarity with data analysis, data visualization or basic programming (e.g., Python or R) is desirable. A demonstrated interest in AI governance, responsible AI or digital transformation policy, particularly in the context of developing countries, is desirable.
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 VALUES AND BEHAVIORS AND FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCE
Core Values
Excellence – Deliver high-quality results; continuously improve performance
Integrity – Uphold ethical standards; act transparently and responsibly
Inclusion – Promote respect, diversity, and fairness
Humility – Show self-awareness; value others’ contributions
Humanity – Act with compassion; align work with sustainable development
Core Behaviors
Connect & Collaborate - Build trust through communication and teamwork; Share knowledge and embrace diversity
Analyse & Plan - Use data and evidence for decision-making; Plan proactively and prioritize effectively
Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Take ownership and deliver quality outputs; Align work with UNIDO mission and objectives
Learn and Develop - Continuously develop skills; Seek feedback and share knowledge
Adapt and Innovate - Respond flexibly to change; Embrace innovation and new approaches
Functional Competence
Continuously develop and maintain expertise
Stay informed of industry trends and best practices
Apply knowledge to improve results and decision-making
Adopt new tools and technologies
Take ownership of professional development
LEARNING ELEMENTS
Become acquainted with the most up-to-date technical, economic and industrial developments in the relevant field of specialization of the Division of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI). Furthermore, intern is expected to deepen their knowledge in the fields of new product/services and process design.
Gain experience in the area of digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
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: [email protected]
