Junior Innovation, Data and Communication Contractor

Job Posting Organization:
The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is a regional intergovernmental platform established to support inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development across the Asia-Pacific region. ESCAP plays a crucial role in generating action-oriented knowledge and providing technical assistance and capacity-building services to support national development objectives and regional agreements. The organization is dedicated to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and operates with a mission to foster collaboration among member states and partners. ESCAP's secretariat is known for its inclusive approach and works to adapt to changing circumstances to enhance the impact of its initiatives. The organization is comprised of a diverse team of professionals and operates in multiple countries across the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on innovation and knowledge sharing.

Job Overview:
The Junior Innovation, Data and Communication Contractor will play a vital role in supporting the Innovation Team at ESCAP by fostering a culture of innovation within the organization. This position is designed to enhance the impact of ESCAP's work by implementing innovative practices and methodologies that improve the quality of services provided to stakeholders. The contractor will be responsible for designing and executing training programs that promote Design Thinking and Human Centered Design methodologies among ESCAP personnel. Additionally, the contractor will assist in the development of communication materials and strategies to increase engagement and outreach, ensuring that ESCAP's innovative efforts are effectively communicated to a wider audience. The role requires collaboration with various teams to innovate knowledge products and improve user satisfaction through digital tools. The contractor will also be involved in organizing innovation events and competitions, contributing to the overall mission of ESCAP to continuously innovate and adapt its processes and products.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Junior Innovation, Data and Communication Contractor will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Designing and implementing innovation activities and training programs for ESCAP personnel to foster a culture of innovation.
• Supporting ESCAP teams in innovating their knowledge products using digital tools to enhance user-centricity and satisfaction.
• Assisting the Innovation Team in developing varied communication materials and strategies to enhance engagement and outreach.
• Creating visibility and communication materials such as flyers, branding, and videos to support outreach strategies.
• Maintaining and refining a Sharepoint page for knowledge management and outreach efforts, including the creation of automated systems for team operations.
• Preparing and reviewing the seed funding exercise for innovative projects at ESCAP.
• Conducting preparation work for the annual ESCAP innovation mapping exercise and the Inno awards.
• Organizing innovation events, labs, calls, and competitions within the organization.
• Setting up and maintaining ESCAP Communities of Practice in priority innovation topics. 1
• Conducting innovation monitoring and evaluation activities to measure progress against annual KPIs, including maintaining an automated data collection system. 1
• Supporting any other strategic initiatives and activities as identified by the Innovation Team.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in Innovation, Economics, Information Technology, Communications, or a related field, or be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent). Additionally, candidates should have at least one professional experience supporting corporate innovation activities, with internship experience being acceptable (minimum of 2 months). Proven experience in organizing innovation events or training programs, such as hackathons or open innovation challenges, is required. Professional experience in data analysis and strategies is desirable, with internship experience also being acceptable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in a relevant field such as Innovation, Economics, Information Technology, or Communications. Alternatively, candidates may be in the final year of their Bachelor's degree program. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the principles of innovation and communication strategies necessary for the role.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least one professional experience related to corporate innovation activities, which can include internships lasting a minimum of 2 months. Experience in organizing innovation events and training programs is crucial, as is familiarity with data analysis and strategies, which can also be gained through internships.

Languages:
Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral, are mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is expected to be 9 months, with an initial contract of 4 months (September to December 2025) followed by a possible extension of 5 months (January to May 2026). The contractor will receive a total fee of USD 22,000, paid monthly at USD 2,000 upon successful completion of assignments. Additional lump sums of USD 2,000 will be provided for specific deliverables. The contractor has the option to work remotely or be based in Bangkok, with the understanding that Bangkok's time zone working hours must be respected for team collaboration. If the contractor chooses to relocate to Bangkok, ESCAP will assist with visa procedures, but travel provisions are not included in the contract. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.