Economic Affairs Officer (Technology and Innovation), P-4

UN ESCAP - United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

New Delhi, India

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.

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.

Apply Now

Don't forget to mention IntJobs when applying.

Share this Job