Consultant - Research Commercialization and Equity Framework

Organizational Context

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) seeks a consultant to support FATA University and Kohat University in developing frameworks for research commercialization and equity. This role will involve policy development, capacity building, and advising on endowment funds to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the universities.

Job Purpose

The consultant will lead the development of a comprehensive policy paper on Faculty and University Equity for public universities. This includes proposing practical options for faculty equity participation, establishing clear principles for student ownership and benefit-sharing, and advising on the governance and utilization of endowment funds to support incubation centers and early-stage ideas. The role also involves designing and delivering structured training sessions for faculty and students on research, innovation, and commercialization, aiming to strengthen research governance, innovation ecosystems, and commercialization linkages within the universities. The ultimate goal is to create actionable frameworks that promote research commercialization and equitable benefit-sharing.

Responsibilities

The consultant will prepare an inception workplan and conduct a desk review of relevant documents and university contexts. Key responsibilities include leading the development of a policy paper on Faculty and University Equity, covering participation, revenue sharing, IP ownership, and conflict-of-interest safeguards. The consultant will propose practical equity participation options for faculty and principles for student benefit-sharing. Advising universities on establishing and governing endowment funds for incubation activities is crucial. Conducting consultations with stakeholders, designing and delivering training sessions on research, innovation, and commercialization, and supporting universities in developing research agendas are also key duties. The role concludes with developing tools and templates, promoting inclusive participation, coordinating with UNODC, and preparing progress reports and a final consultancy report.

Work Experience

A minimum of 2 years of experience in higher education leadership, research governance, institutional development, innovation systems, commercialization, or faculty development is required. Experience in advising on university-level benefit-sharing, research commercialization, incubation support, or related policy frameworks is desirable. Proven experience in designing and delivering capacity-building sessions on research, innovation, and commercialization is also desirable.

Skills

Policy development, research commercialization, equity framework design, innovation systems, higher education management, capacity building, stakeholder consultation, endowment fund advisory, intellectual property awareness, research governance, strong communication and drafting skills in English, fluency in Urdu.

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