Regional Adviser on Connectivity

Organizational Context

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), a regional development arm of the UN Secretariat, promotes sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity. This role is based in the Subregional Office for North and Central Asia (SONCA) in Almaty, Kazakhstan, reporting to the Head of SONCA and covering eight countries in the subregion.

Job Purpose

This role supports ESCAP's mandate by providing policy advice and technical assistance to governments in North and Central Asia on connectivity, particularly in trade and transport, under the SPECA framework. The incumbent will monitor trends, analyze best practices, and contribute to policy development and capacity building initiatives. The position aims to foster regional economic cooperation, support the achievement of SDGs, and enhance the effectiveness of SPECA programmes through research, analysis, and stakeholder engagement. The role also involves contributing to resource mobilization and ensuring gender mainstreaming in all activities.

Responsibilities

Provide policy advice to governments and stakeholders on connectivity, trade, and transport, supporting the SPECA programme. Monitor and analyze trends and best practices in regional economic cooperation, preparing policy notes. Contribute to the design and redesign of national policies and strategies for regional cooperation and SDG achievement. Participate in the development and implementation of capacity-building programmes and projects. Monitor gender mainstreaming in all SPECA-related actions. Make substantive contributions to workshops and events, developing training materials and knowledge products. Support resource mobilization by developing project proposals and engaging with partners. Undertake additional assignments as required to support the SPECA Programme of Work.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in connectivity, project/programme management, or administration within the UN system is required. Four years of advisory work in developing countries, experience in international technical cooperation and capacity development, and experience preparing policy notes and reports are also required. Experience advising governments in Central Asia or transition economies is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, technical expertise in economic development and capacity building, project proposal development, donor familiarity, capacity development concepts, RBM/M&E, knowledge brokering, partnership building, resource mobilization, gender mainstreaming, effective communication, and client orientation.

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