Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations General Assembly resolution 71/251 established the Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries and adopted its Charter on 23 December 2016. The objectives of the Technology Bank are : a. To strengthen the science, technology and innovation capacity of least developed countries, including the capacity to identify, absorb, develop, integrate and scale up the deployment of technologies and innovations, including indigenous ones, as well as the capacity to address and manage intellectual property rights issues; b. To promote the development and implementation of national and regional science, technology and innovation strategies; c. To strengthen partnerships among science, technology and innovation-related public entities and with the private sector; d. To promote cooperation among all stakeholders involved in science, technology and innovation, including researchers, research institutions and public and private sector entities, within and between least developed countries, as well as with their counterparts in other countries; e. To promote and facilitate the identification and utilization of and access to appropriate technologies by the least developed countries, as well as their transfer to the least developed countries, while respecting intellectual property rights and fostering the national and regional capacity of the least developed countries for the effective utilization of technology in order to bring about transformative change. The Technology Bank’s work is guided by the Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which sets out three core verticals of engagement: i) High-Impact Policy and Technical Advisory Services; ii) Capacity Building for Transformation; iii) Knowledge Services for Results. This position is located in the Programme Unit of the Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries, Gebze, Türkiye. The Economic Affairs Officer reports to the Economic Affairs Officer, P-4.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Economic or sector analysis • Designs and conducts research and analyses on science, technology and innovation and technological needs in the least developed countries and substantively contributes in the drafting of relevant reports including the Technology Needs Assessments. • Monitors, assesses and reports on persistent and emerging issues in science, technology and innovation and technology transfer, and their policy implications for sustainable development in the least developed countries. • Develops databases and qualitative information necessary and relevant for recurrent or ad hoc assignments pertaining to science, technology and innovation for sustainable development in the least developed countries. • Interprets, applies and, as necessary, adapts econometric models to determine trends, patterns and relationships and to analyse the effects of alternative policies and assumptions. • Drafts specified inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on selected global, regional, national or sector aspects of economic development and science, technology and innovation. • Keeps abreast of latest trends and developments in the area of assignment and prepares substantive inputs on issues to senior officials and colleagues. • Identifies and analyses policy proposals made elsewhere relating to digital transformation, emerging technologies and science, technology and innovation. • Attends and makes presentations in international, regional, and national meetings to collect information and to hold discussions with colleagues in other institutions. • Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on science, technology and innovation . • Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff. Intergovernmental support • Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies on science, technology and innovation and the work of the UN Technology Bank. • Assists in the organization of panels, round tables etc. on issues pertaining to sustainable technological development in least developed countries for intergovernmental processes. • Represents the organization at international, regional and national meetings, follows up on deliberations at intergovernmental meetings and prepares relevant reports. Technical cooperation • Participates in technical cooperation activities and missions, usually as a member of a team, on issues pertaining to science, technology and innovation. • Researches and develops project proposals for technical cooperation programmes . • Manages the implementation of technical cooperation projects in the area of science, technology and innovation. General • Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the Programme unit’s services. • Supports junior staff, reviewing their work and providing feedback. • 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 in different sectors of economic and sustainable development and conduct research and analysis of persistent and emerging issues in science, technology and innovation. Ability to conduct independent research and draft reports on economic and science, technology and innovation topics , determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skills in data analysis and interpretation in support of decision-making and conveying resulting information to management. 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. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 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. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, science, technology and innovation or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

A PhD in related field is desirable. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes, including areas related to science, technology and innovation, is required. Experience providing policy analysis or advisory to government counterparts in developing countries, particularly least developed countries, on issues related to science, technology and innovation is required. Experience in conducting independent research on science, technology and innovation topics, including assessing the suitability, validity and accuracy of data from multiple sources is desirable. Field experience conducting substantive missions or implementing science, technology or innovation programmes in Africa or in least developed countries is desirable. Two years or more of experience working in the United Nations Common System or a similar multilateral institution is desirable. 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable

Languages

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available for 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. 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.