Junior Innovation, Data and Communication Contractor

Job Posting Organization:
The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region. Established to support inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development, ESCAP generates action-oriented knowledge and provides technical assistance and capacity-building services to support national development objectives and regional agreements. The organization plays a crucial role in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and works closely with partners at the national level. ESCAP's corporate innovation efforts are led by an inter-divisional team that promotes internal innovation activities to shape the organization's culture and enhance its products and services. The organization operates across multiple countries in the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on fostering collaboration and innovation among its divisions and personnel.

Job Overview:
The Junior Innovation, Data and Communication Contractor will play a vital role in supporting ESCAP's innovation initiatives and enhancing the impact of its work in the region. This position is designed to help innovate ESCAP's work culture and improve the effectiveness of the Innovation Team. The contractor will be responsible for designing and implementing innovation activities, coaching, and training programs that target ESCAP personnel, fostering a culture of innovation, and building capacities in Design Thinking and Human Centered Design methodologies. The contractor will also assist in innovating knowledge products using digital tools, enhancing engagement and outreach through various communication materials, and supporting the development of visibility and communication strategies. The role requires collaboration with the Innovation Team and involves a range of responsibilities aimed at improving ESCAP's products and services for stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Junior Innovation, Data and Communication Contractor will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Designing and implementing innovation activities, coaching, 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 satisfaction.
• Assisting the Innovation Team in enhancing engagement and outreach through diverse communication materials and strategies.
• Developing visibility and communication materials such as flyers, branding, and videos to support outreach strategies.
• Maintaining a Sharepoint page for knowledge management and outreach efforts, including creating 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 next 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
• Participating in 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, at least one year of professional experience supporting corporate innovation activities is required, along with proven experience in organizing innovation events or training programs, such as hackathons or open innovation challenges. Professional experience in data analysis and strategies is desirable, and internship experience (minimum 2 months) is acceptable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in relevant fields such as Innovation, Economics, Information Technology, or Communications. Alternatively, candidates may be in the final year of their Bachelor's degree program or equivalent. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of innovation and communication within the context of ESCAP's mission.

Experience:
The position requires at least one year of professional experience in supporting corporate innovation activities. This experience should include organizing innovation events and training programs, demonstrating the candidate's ability to foster a culture of innovation within an organization. Additionally, experience in data analysis and strategies is desirable, with internship experience being acceptable as a substitute for professional experience.

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 expected duration of the contract is 9 months, starting from September 15, 2026, to June 16, 202

• The contractor has the option to work remotely or be based in Bangkok, with the requirement to respect Bangkok's time zone for collaboration. If the contractor chooses to relocate to Bangkok, the ESCAP team will assist with visa procedures, although travel provisions are not included in the contract. The contractor may relocate at their own expense. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.