Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries is the UN entity that supports the least developed countries build science, technology and innovation capacity to transform their economies, eradicate poverty and foster sustainable development. The office is located in Gebze, Turkey. The Director reports to the Under-Secretary-General of United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), who also serves as the first and second reporting officer of the Managing Director. For more information, please see https://www.un.org/technologybank/ The Technology Bank was established with a United Nations General Assembly resolution 71/251. Its Charter was adopted in 2016, and it became operational at the end of 2018. Its specific objectives are to: • Strengthen the science, technology and innovation capacity of the 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. • Promote the development and implementation of national and regional science, technology and innovation strategies. • Strengthen partnerships among science, technology and innovation-related public entities and with the private sector. • Promote cooperation among all stakeholders involved including researchers, research institutions, and public entities within and between least developed countries, as well as with their counterparts in other countries. • Promote and facilitate the identification, utilization, and access of appropriate technologies by least developed countries, as well as their transfer, while respecting intellectual property rights and fostering the national and regional capacity of the countries for the effective utilisation of technology to bring about transformative change. The Doha Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries for the decade 2021-2030, adopted by the General Assembly in March 2022, has reinforced the mandate of the UN Technology Bank by reaffirming that the Technology Bank will serve as “a focal point for the Least Developed Countries to strengthen their science, technology and innovation capacity towards building sustainable productive capacities and promoting structural economic transformation”.

Responsibilities

The primary role of the Managing Director is to provide vision, overall direction, strategic planning and management of the Technology Bank, building partnerships, and mobilization of resources for its activities. The Managing Director is overseen by the Technology Bank’s Governing Council and is responsible to the Council for the Bank’s direction, administration, programming, and coordination with other UN and non-UN partners. Within delegated authority, under the overall guidance of the Council, the Managing Director will be responsible for the following duties: • Directs and manages the Technology Bank. • Contributes to the formulation of the Technology Bank's overall strategies and policies by participating in various sessions of the Council, and prepares documents on policy issue, including preparation of the three-year strategic plans, annual work programmes, amongst others. • Provides leadership to the development of innovative projects to benefit the least developed countries in the area of science, technology and innovation responding to the current and emerging needs of the LDCs. • Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Technology Bank under his/her supervision, determining priorities, and allocating resources, in consultation with the Council, for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. • Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Technology Bank, ensuring timely and effective implementation of programme activities, strengthens collaboration and co-ordinates with the United Nations System, including Resident Coordinator Offices and UN Country Teams, donors and agencies, as appropriate . • Coordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. Reports to the Council and intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in annual reports. • Ensures that the outputs produced by the Technology Bank maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Technology Bank under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. • Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative and resource mobilization tasks necessary for the functioning of the technology Bank, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates. • Oversees the recruitment of staff for the Technology Bank, taking due account of geographical and gender balance and other institutional values and regularly informs the Council on decisions taken to increase the number of staff. • Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision; fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Technology Bank and across organizational boundaries. Provides effective direction, guidance and supervision to a diverse team of professional and supports staff and manages performances to ensure that work programme and activities adhere to high quality standards. Secures financial and in-kind contributions from member states, donor agencies, multilateral financial institutions, and the private sector, and aligns these resources with identified needs. • Establishes and manages high level of partnerships to expand funding opportunities, diversify revenue sources, and strengthen the Technology Bank’s financial base. • Develops and implements a resource mobilization strategy with an emphasis on both traditional and non-traditional partners by building an ongoing portfolio of projects to present to potential partners connected to the mandate and comparative advantage of the Technology Bank. • Implements strong communications and outreach strategies to boost the visibility and profile of the Technology Bank across client countries, development partners, and in critical constituencies. • Represents and positions the Technology Bank at international, regional, interagency meetings, seminars and conference; provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. • Performs other related duties as requested by the Council of the Technology Bank.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of economic, social, and developmental benefits of science, technology and innovation, particularly in the context of Least Developed Countries, including knowledge of structural economic challenges, productive capacity constraints and the policy frameworks required for sustainable development. Knowledge of international development, capacity development, and technical assistance principles; sound knowledge of management policies, regulations, rules and procedures applicable to capacity development programmes/projects and technical assistance activities; familiarity with modern project management and quality control practices and procedures. Shows ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others and shows knowledge of project management, including project development modalities. Shows ability to apply rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Demonstrated ability to deal with complex issues with diplomacy and tact. High-level diplomatic and representational skills are essential. 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 Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. 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. Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly. Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM); science, technology, and innovation; natural or social sciences; economics; international relations, political science, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

Over fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in international development, science, innovation and technology (STI) policy, innovation eco-systems, digital transformation, capacity development, administration, human and financial resources management, or related areas, out of which at least 5 years at the senior level, is required. A minimum of ten years of experience managing the administration, including project design and implementation of programmes supporting the socio-economic development of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) is required. Proven experience (at least 7 years) in successfully leading extensive resource mobilization efforts and building partnerships is required. Sound managerial experience, including the oversight of human and financial resources and experience in results-based budgeting at the international level is required. A minimum of five years of experience in developing and managing capacity building and technical assistance projects in science, technology and innovation (STI) in support of sustainable development in LDCs is desirable. Relevant work experience in the United Nations Common System or comparable international or non-governmental organization is desirable.

Languages

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The appointment against this position is limited to the UN-TBLDC. The post is funded under extra-budgetary funds. The extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. 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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter.

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.