Org. Setting and Reporting

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policy oriented research and analysis, normative support and technical assistance and capacity building, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region. The Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) is an ESCAP regional institute. The objectives of the Centre are to assist Members and Associate Members of ESCAP through strengthening their capabilities to develop and manage national innovation systems; develop, transfer, adapt and apply technology; improve the terms of transfer of technology; and identify and promote the development and transfer of technologies relevant to the region. The mission of the Centre will be reoriented to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with a focus on the transfer of technologies, particularly innovative and emerging technologies, for addressing climate change and achieving sustainable development goals which are relevant to the Asian and Pacific region. This position is located in the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT). The incumbent reports to the Head, APCTT.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head, APCTT, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions: Economic or sector analysis: • Monitors socio-economic developments in the mandated thematic area of APCTT and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the APCTT, including those related to Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), technology transfer, climate relevant and environmentally sound technologies and technologies related to the fourth industrial revolution. • Designs and conducts studies on the above issues in the context of economic development and drafts reports, including support to the production of Centre’s publications. Identifies and supervises the work of consultants for the Centre’s publications. • Interprets and applies results of the above research results to analyse policies of member States. • Develops background notes and draft policy recommendations pertaining to the mandated thematic area of APCTT. • Formulates proposals for Centre’s development strategies, policies and measures for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and others. • Attends international, regional, and national meetings to hold discussions with representatives of other institutions. • Organizes expert group meetings, seminars, capacity building programmes and conferences at international level on development issues under the Centre’s mandate; prepares, including drafting concept notes, and identifying resource person. • Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff. Intergovernmental support: • Provides substantive support to intergovernmental bodies (such as the Governing Council sessions of APCTT, relevant Committees, and Commission sessions). • Represents APCTT at international, regional and national meetings. Technical cooperation: • Designs, implements and monitors technical cooperation projects under the mandate of APCTT, fosters partnerships and supports resource mobilization efforts. • Undertakes missions to member States, either alone or as part of team, for APCTT’s activities. • Prepares global, regional, national or sector analyses on thematic issues covered by APCTT mandate that provide a basis for advising national governments on relevant issues. • Conducts regional training seminars and workshops for government officials and others. Drafts concept notes, programmes and secures resource persons. • Formulates technical modalities for the evaluation of individual technical cooperation projects and for external evaluations, including the preparation of reports. General: • Supports and supervises junior staff and consultants, reviewing their work and providing feedback. Supports the Head of APCTT in a variety of programmatic, operational and administrative tasks necessary for delivery of APCTT’s services, including serving as Officer-in-Charge. • Participates in intra- and inter-Departmental undertakings, including the UN Country Team meetings of broader concern to represent the views or interests of APCTT. • Performs other related duties as required, including overseeing website and social media. • Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts to prepare Centre’s publications and technical cooperation project activities related to STI policy, technology transfer and commercialization, support to technology-based SMEs, trends on environmentally sound technologies and technologies related to the fourth industrial revolution. Ability to conduct independent research on economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Ability to identify and develop sources for data collection. Ability to develops and fosters partnerships with public and private sector institutions on fundraising purposes. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in technological change, environment, economics, engineering, technology cooperation or related field is required. A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Ph.D degree in technology related field is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in socio-economic research and analysis, design, implementation and monitoring of technical cooperation projects, and policy advice is required. Experience in organizing international expert group meetings, seminars, and conferences is required. Experience in working on climate or fourth industrial revolution technology and innovations, and/or technology transfer and facilitation related research and/or projects is desirable. International experience working in the Asia-Pacific region, outside the candidate’s country of nationality, is desirable. Experience in the United Nations common system or in international organizations similar to those in the United Nations common system is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage. Knowledge of a regional language is an advantage.

Assessment

Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. ESCAP is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality within the Secretariat. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. Pursuant to section 6.9 of ST/AI/2010/3/Rev. 1, interns, consultants, individual contractors and gratis personnel may not apply for or be appointed to any vacancy in the Professional or higher categories within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. This post is funded from extra budgetary resources. The initial appointment is for a period of one year. Extension of appointment is subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.