Programme Management Specialist

The UN Technology Bank became operational in 2018 and serves the 45 least developed countries (LDCs) and former least developed countries for up to five years after their graduation from the category.

The UN Technology Bank supports national and regional technological efforts, reinforces partnerships across sectors and helps nations identify and use appropriate technologies to transform their economies and improve livelihoods.

Headquartered in Gebze, Turkey, the UN Technology Bank actively engages with national, regional and international partners to deliver its programme and projects helps least developed countries build the science, technology and innovation capacity that they need to promote the structural transformation of their economies, eradicate poverty and foster sustainable development.

Website: https://www.un.org/technologybank/

The UN Volunteer will be hosted by the UN Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries, an entity dedicated to strengthening the science, technology and innovation capacities in the 44 LDCs. The assignment supports the Technology Bank’s work on identifying, assessing, and facilitating the transfer of appropriate technologies that drive climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, value chain development, and digital inclusion.

Building on the Technology Needs Assessments, which have identified priority technologies to fast-track development in key sectors, the UN Volunteer will help advance technology transfer and design capacity building initiatives that support knowledge exchange and reduce the technological divide. The assignment includes analytical, programmatic, and partnership-building responsibilities, contributing directly to the Technology Bank’s Strategic Plan and to the 2030 Agenda, particularly SDGs 8, 9, 13 and 17.

Under the direct supervision of the Economic Affairs Officer, the UN Volunteer Specialist will contribute to the work of the UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), with a focus on advancing access to technologies that support climate resilience, inclusive development, and sustainable livelihoods in LDCs. The UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Support research and analysis on Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs) to identify priority technology gaps and demands across LDCs, with a focus on sectors that contribute to sustainable development and climate resilience (e.g., agriculture, water, environmental monitoring).
• Assist in technology scouting efforts, including background research, documentation review, and use of screening criteria to help identify technologies with high transfer potential and developmental relevance for LDCs.
• Contribute to the mapping and assessment of existing technologies and solutions with high transferability and relevance for LDCs, particularly in priority sectors such as climate adaptation, agriculture, health, and digitalization.
• Support the preparation of technical summaries, briefs, and background papers on identified technologies, outlining their suitability, scalability, and possible adaptation pathways in alignment with national development plans and climate strategies.
• Support the design of technology transfer projects that promote resilience, sustainability, and inclusive access to innovation, including drafting project proposals, developing concept notes, and preparing background documentation aligned with national development strategies and sectoral priorities.
• Contribute to the design and coordination of capacity-building activities aligned with the emerging technology needs and priorities of the LDCs, promoting South-South and triangular cooperation and knowledge exchange.
• Contribute to the preparation of technology briefs, policy notes, and technology transfer toolkits, identifying adaptation mechanisms, scalability potential, and sustainability considerations in the LDC context.
• Identify potential technology providers, including private sector actors, research institutions, and innovation hubs, and facilitate matchmaking and partnership development between technology holders and recipient countries.
• Support the development of strategic partnerships with institutions in both developing and developed economies, including centers of excellence and innovation platforms, to mobilize expertise, resources, and co-development opportunities.
• Support the engagement with stakeholders across the UN system, governments, academia and the private sector to promote collaborative networks and strengthen cooperation for technology transfer and innovation exchange.
• Assist in the substantive monitoring of the various programmes and projects, and contribute to the development of results frameworks and knowledge products.
• Prepare high-quality analytical outputs, including contributions to flagship publications, project documents, internal reports, background papers, and presentations.
• Participate in technical missions to LDCs and other relevant countries.
• Support senior management in strategic engagement efforts, including missions, technical meetings, donor consultations, and high-level events.
• Perform other duties as required.


Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
- Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day, 5th of December).
- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
- Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities (for instance at https://vra.unv.org),
- Contribute articles/wrjte-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
- Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
- Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.