Programme Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat, established to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region. ESCAP supports its member states through policy-oriented research, analysis, and capacity-building assistance to address development priorities. The Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM), a regional institution under ESCAP, focuses on sustainable agricultural mechanization to achieve internationally agreed development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals. CSAM facilitates policy dialogue, information exchange, and cooperation among stakeholders, and engages in capacity building across the region.

Job Overview:
The Programme Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Head of CSAM, contributing to the formulation and implementation of the Centre's work programme. The role involves planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating substantive projects and technical cooperation programmes. The incumbent will assist in organizing expert meetings, preparing speeches, and managing outreach activities to raise awareness of the Centre's work. The Programme Officer will also serve as Programme Manager for various regional initiatives, ensuring integration across different programmes and supporting junior staff. This position requires a proactive approach to mobilizing funding resources and maintaining relationships with member states and international organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the Head of CSAM in formulating and implementing the Centre's work programme, ensuring effective execution and timely reporting.
• Plan, develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate substantive projects and technical cooperation programmes.
• Formulate proposals for development strategies and policies for intergovernmental bodies.
• Attend international, regional, and national meetings to engage with representatives of other institutions.
• Organize expert group meetings and seminars on development issues.
• Prepare speeches and presentations for the Head of CSAM and senior management.
• Serve as Programme Manager for regional initiatives such as ReCAMA and ANTAM.
• Facilitate South-South cooperation and assist in developing programmes for Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.
• Conduct outreach activities to raise the Centre's profile among stakeholders. 1
• Plan and manage research studies on sustainable agricultural mechanization. 1
• Assist in organizing Governing Council meetings and preparing official documentation. 1
• Maintain close working relations with member states and international organizations to foster partnerships. 1
• Support the Head in enhancing institutional capacities and provide guidance to staff. 1
• Undertake official missions to member states as part of technical cooperation activities. 1
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of the Centre.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Agriculture, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Relevant training in Intergovernmental Meetings Management is desirable.
• Relevant training in ERP systems, such as Umoja/SAP, is also desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Agriculture, Engineering, or Business Administration. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in these fields along with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Relevant training in intergovernmental meetings management and ERP systems is considered an asset.

Experience:
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in programme management in the field of agricultural mechanization is required. Candidates should have at least five years of experience managing agricultural engineering and climate change resilience programmes in the Asia-Pacific region. Experience in formulating standards within the agricultural sector in the United Nations Common System is also required. Additionally, three years of experience in maintaining relationships with stakeholders at a regional executive level is desirable. Experience in promoting gender equality and organizational visibility is a plus.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations, but proficiency in French is not mandatory for this role.

Additional Notes:
The position is funded from extra budgetary resources, with an initial appointment for one year. Extensions are subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. The United Nations promotes diversity and gender equality, encouraging women candidates to apply. Staff members are expected to adhere to the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, and the organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities may be provided upon request.