Individual Contractor – Tour Guide

Result of Service

A better understanding among the public of the work of the United Nations and the Vienna-based organizations; client satisfaction with the VIC guided tours.

Work Location

Vienna

Expected duration

2.-12.2026, extendable

Duties and Responsibilities

Once recruited, the contractor will, under the supervision of the Chief of Visitors Service, serve as a UN tour guide in Vienna. The contractor will carry out the following activities: • Conduct guided tours of the Vienna International Centre for children and adults in accordance with given concepts/scripts for the different tour formats • Provide visitors with basic facts on the United Nations as an organization and its presence in Vienna • Explain exhibits, displays and audiovisual material used for tours • Provide up-to-date information on the work of the United Nations and its priority issues including the Sustainable Development Goals • Answer questions about the United Nations • Participate in promotional activities • If requested support the Service’s tour dispatching operation • Perform other small tasks to support Visitors Service operations as assigned by the supervisor or tour dispatcher • If requested travel to conduct official functions. Additionally it is expected from the contractor that he/she: • Shows professionalism in work and behaviour, actively engages in teamwork to facilitate smooth tour operations, and uses resources provided by the UN in accordance with the UN standards and regulations • Attends formal training sessions and staff meetings and keeps him/herself informed on UN-related developments using the information provided by the Visitors Service, other UN sources and the media • Adheres to the uniform dress code for tour guides • Maintains a minimum availability of one hundred weekdays per calendar year during which he/she is able to conduct tours if required. Tour guides may be photographed or filmed during the conduct of their duties. By signature of their contract tour guides give consent for UNIS Vienna to publish the resulting images for promotional purposes. Please note: This is an individual contractor position. Work time is assigned on a flexible schedule of shifts throughout the contract period, paid at a gross hourly rate of currently EUR 28.50 per hour. Tour guides are asked to maintain availability to be scheduled for shifts as needed on 100-150 weekdays over the course of the calendar year. Shifts are usually assigned through a weekly roster based on tour guide availability and client needs. Actual work time can be seasonal and depends on bookings and the budget available for tour operations. Total work time is estimated to range from approximately 300-500 hours per year, but cannot be guaranteed. Individual contractors are responsible for their own social security and income taxation. This recruitment will be subject to GA approval of the UN Proposed Programme Budget for 2026 and its disbursement. Recruitment is further subject to successful participation of selected candidates in a two-week, intensive induction programme tentatively scheduled for February 2026. The induction programme provides in-depth training on presentation and tour content through briefings, practice sessions and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities about the work of the Vienna-based UN organisations. This training is conducted at no cost to candidates; neither is participation paid.

Qualifications/special skills

High school diploma or equivalent is required A proven interest in, and good knowledge of, the work and structure of the United Nations is required. Excellent presentation and communication skills, flexibility and good judgement are required. A high degree of professionalism, client-orientation, teamwork and technological awareness are desirable strengths. Applicants require full (unlimited) access to the Austrian labour market for the period of their engagement as tour guide. Proof may be requested prior to issuance of the contract.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and German is required. Fluency in an additional language is an advantage. Due to the current needs of the Service, fluent speakers of Arabic, Chinese, French, Hungarian, Russian or Spanish are especially encouraged to apply.

Additional Information

The Visitors Service of the UN Information Service in Vienna seeks to enhance public understanding of the work and role of the United Nations and its Vienna presence through guided tours and lectures, while generating income for the Organization, as mandated by UN Member States. The Service usually welcomes more than 50,000 visitors per year. Tour guides come from a variety of geographical and language backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of the UN membership. Guided tours are conducted by tour guides in different languages in accordance with the daily work plan and needs of the Service. A large proportion of visitors are children and young people. Tours expected to be offered next year include a general “The UN in Vienna” tour for all audiences, an inter-active tour for high school groups on the Sustainable Development Goals, special programmes for younger children, a focus tour on art in the Vienna International Centre, and virtual tours if required. More information: http://www.unvienna.org/visit

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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