International Consultant - Technical Lead, Gender-Responsive STI Policy

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is a part of the United Nations Secretariat and was established in 196

• Its mission is to promote the integration of developing countries into the world economy, with a focus on trade, investment, and sustainable development. UNCTAD operates in over 190 countries and employs a diverse workforce dedicated to fostering economic growth and development. The organization aims to provide a platform for dialogue and policy-making among member states, facilitating the exchange of ideas and best practices to address global economic challenges.

Job Overview:
The position of International Consultant - Technical Lead for Gender-Responsive STI Policy involves overseeing the methodological and substantive work of a Development Account project aimed at conducting gender assessments across three beneficiary countries. The consultant will be responsible for developing a coherent methodological framework that ensures the assessments are evidence-based and tailored to the specific national contexts. This role requires a strong focus on stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and the translation of findings into actionable policy recommendations. The consultant will also lead the preparation of national gender assessments and contribute to the development of training packages for inclusive and gender-responsive STI policymaking. The work is expected to be home-based, with a project duration from December 15, 2026, to June 30, 2029.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will have a range of responsibilities including:

• Developing and applying a common methodological framework for gender assessments across three countries, ensuring methodological coherence and adaptation to national contexts.
• Providing substantive and methodological guidance to international and national consultants, ensuring integration and comparability of contributions.
• Leading fact-finding and analysis, including desk research and stakeholder consultations.
• Preparing draft and final national gender assessments, incorporating inputs and translating findings into actionable recommendations.
• Contributing to national validation workshops and refining assessments based on stakeholder feedback.
• Developing a comprehensive training package on gender-responsive STI policymaking and participating in training activities.
• Providing technical guidance for translating assessment recommendations into policy options and national action plans.
• Leading regional capacity-building workshops and synthesizing lessons learned for presentation in policy forums.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in fields such as economics, public policy, development studies, STI policy, gender studies, or related areas. A PhD is desirable. Additionally, at least ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in STI policy, digital transformation, or gender-responsive policy analysis is required. Demonstrated experience in gender-responsive analysis and the development of policy assessment methodologies is essential. Experience in providing technical guidance to multidisciplinary teams and familiarity with UN technical assistance projects is also desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree, specifically a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as economics, public policy, development studies, STI policy, gender studies, or social sciences. A PhD in a related field is considered an asset and may enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in areas related to STI policy, digital transformation, or gender-responsive policy analysis. Experience in developing countries and familiarity with the complexities of UN technical assistance projects are highly desirable. Previous work experience in Southeast Asia/ASEAN and with the United Nations is also advantageous, as it demonstrates an understanding of the regional context and the operational environment of UN agencies.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory, with excellent drafting skills required for the position. A proven record of publications in English is desirable, indicating the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in written form. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is also considered desirable, as it may enhance communication and collaboration within the UN system.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based, with an expected duration from December 15, 2026, to June 30, 202

• It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization is committed to ensuring a transparent and fair recruitment process, and it does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.