Programme Assistant

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policy oriented research and analysis, normative support and technical assistance and capacity building, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

APCTT promotes the exchange of knowledge through the organization of capacity building activities such as international conferences, workshops, training programmes and study tours, among others, for the policymakers and other related stakeholders. It provides information related to technology and innovation policies and recent trends on technologies through its publications. At the request of the member States, APCTT provides assessment of technology needs and roadmaps, country level consultations, advisory services, and support to creating enabling policies to assist technology-based entrepreneurs.

In promoting regional cooperation among the member States in the area of technology transfer, APCTT facilitates establishment of international networks on specific technologies and deepens cooperation with technology transfer institutions/ technology business incubators. It collects information from networks’ members for technologies for sustainable development.

This position is located in APCTT. The incumbent reports to the Head, APCTT.

**Responsibilities**:
Under the overall supervision of the Head, APCTT, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions:

- Assists in the coordination of programme/project planning and preparation work for, typically, a medium-size and complex component of the APCTT’s programme/project initiatives; monitors status of programme/project proposals and receipt of relevant documentation for review and approval.
- Compiles, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on specific programmes/project and related topics or issues.
- Reviews project documents, especially cost plans/budgets, for completeness and compliance with relevant rules and procedures prior to submission for final approval and signature; identifies inconsistencies; distributes project documents to relevant parties upon approval.
- Reviews budget revisions; verifies availability of funds; ensures necessary approval and entry in computerized budget system.
- Serves as focal point for administrative coordination of programme/project implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with focal points of APCTT, project counterparts, and diverse organizational units. Initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions for, e.g. recruitment and appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, APCTT governing council sessions, international conferences, regional seminars/training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services, etc. Ensure posting of APCTT’s activities on the website.
- Compiles, summarizes and enters data on project delivery; drafts related status reports, identifying shortfalls in delivery, budget overruns, etc., and brings to the attention of the Head of APCTT. Drafts correspondence on budget-related and other issues and prepares and updates periodic reports, briefing notes, graphic and statistical summaries, accounting spreadsheets, etc.
- Provides general office assistance to the office of the Head, APCTT; responds to complex information requests and inquiries; reviews, logs, responds and routes incoming correspondence; sets up and maintains physical and electronic files/records; organizes meetings, workshops, prepare draft minutes and monitor follow-up actions; formats, proofreads and edits outgoing letters, documents and reports; handles routine administrative tasks, such as maintaining attendance records, etc.
- Provides guidance/training to new/junior staff.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for