Programme Management 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 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) is a regional institution under ESCAP that 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 is involved in setting testing standards and protocols, promoting regional agro-business and trade, and capacity building across the region. The organization operates in multiple countries across the Asia-Pacific region, working with various stakeholders to enhance agricultural practices and sustainability.

Job Overview:
The Programme Management Officer position is located within the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) at ESCAP. The incumbent will report directly to the Head of CSAM and will be responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of assigned programs and projects. This role involves planning and managing specialized teams to provide substantive support to regional and subregional initiatives. The officer will monitor and analyze program/project development, review relevant documents in both English and Chinese, and identify issues that require corrective actions. The position also entails conducting consulting assignments, facilitating workshops, and assisting clients in developing action plans for managing change. The officer will engage in research, policy development, and data collection initiatives, preparing various written outputs such as reports and publications. Additionally, the role includes strengthening partnerships with stakeholders, conducting outreach activities, and coordinating budget-related activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will perform a variety of functions under the supervision of the Head of CSAM, including:

• Participating in the development, implementation, and evaluation of assigned programs/projects;
• Planning and managing specialized teams to provide substantive support to regional/subregional programs;
• Monitoring and analyzing program/project development and implementation;
• Reviewing relevant documents and reports in English and Chinese;
• Identifying problems and proposing corrective actions;
• Liaising with relevant parties, particularly within the host country;
• Performing consulting assignments and facilitating workshops;
• Researching and analyzing information from diverse sources;
• Assisting in policy development and preparing evaluations; 1
• Undertaking survey initiatives and designing data collection tools; 1
• Preparing written outputs such as background papers and reports; 1
• Supporting partnerships with stakeholders; 1
• Conducting outreach activities and training workshops; 1
• Participating in field missions and drafting mission summaries; 1
• Coordinating budget and funding activities; 1
• Collecting and analyzing data to identify trends; 1
• Documenting requirements for data analysis; 1
• Performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics, agricultural machinery, environmental science, engineering, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, and approaches relevant to the agricultural sector, as well as the ability to identify and analyze issues and participate in their resolution. Strong analytical and evaluative skills are essential, along with the ability to conduct independent research and analysis. Candidates should also exhibit professionalism, accountability, and effective planning and organizing skills.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as business administration, management, economics, agricultural machinery, environmental science, engineering, or a related discipline. In cases where candidates hold a first-level university degree, they must also have qualifying experience that compensates for the lack of an advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in managing multilateral agricultural projects or programs is required. If the candidate holds a first-level university degree, a minimum of seven years of experience is necessary. Desirable experience includes at least two years in managing large-scale multilateral agricultural projects with international cooperation initiatives, as well as three years in the United Nations Common System or similar organizations, focusing on developing partnerships with donors and government agencies. Experience in managing programs related to security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, poverty reduction, and agricultural mechanization is also desirable, along with familiarity with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as Umoja/SAP or PeopleSoft/Inspira.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position are English and Chinese (Mandarin). Candidates must demonstrate proficiency at UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking for both languages. English and Chinese are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, and proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the organization.

Additional Notes:
Candidates must be Chinese nationals, and the appointment is on a local basis. The initial appointment is for a period of one year, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. The position is full-time, and candidates residing within commuting distance of the ESCAP CSAM office will be prioritized. If no suitable local candidates are identified, Chinese nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, but they will be responsible for any travel and relocation costs. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and candidates must adhere to the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.