Programme Officer - Technology Transfer Policy (APCTT)

Host entity: ESCAP India

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Innovation, foresight, change management, Legal affairs, Data science, information management, Artificial Intelligence

Application deadline: 15/09/2026

Mission and objectives

The Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) is a regional institution and subsidiary body of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), based in New Delhi, India. APCTT serves ESCAP member States and associate members across Asia and the Pacific and supports them in strengthening national innovation systems and capacities to develop, transfer, adapt, apply and commercialize technologies. The Centre promotes regional cooperation, policy support, knowledge exchange and capacity-building for technology transfer and innovation, with particular attention to innovative and emerging technologies that contribute to climate action, resilience and sustainable development.

Assignment context

APCTT is strengthening its regional programme on technology transfer to support technology transfer offices (TTOs), innovation agencies, research institutions and other technology-transfer stakeholders across Asia and the Pacific. The programme is intended to strengthen institutional capacities, facilitate peer learning and regional cooperation among TTOs, and improve the evidence base for technology-transfer policy and practice.

The UN Volunteer will support two closely connected workstreams. The first is the Technology Transfer Programme, including capacity-building activities for TTOs and the development and operation of a regional TTO Network. The second is APCTT's research and knowledge-product work on technology transfer, with the Asia-Pacific Technology Transfer Report as a flagship output. The assignment will help connect programme implementation with evidence generation so that lessons, country experiences and stakeholder needs identified through the network can inform regional analysis, and findings from the analysis can in turn support future programme design and capacity-building activities.

Task description

Under the supervision of the designated APCTT Officer, the UN Volunteer will support the planning, implementation and further development of APCTT's technology transfer portfolio. The incumbent will undertake the following tasks:

1) Technology Transfer Programme and TTO Network
• Support the design, coordination and implementation of capacity-building activities for technology transfer offices (TTOs) and related institutions in ESCAP member States, including workshops, training programmes, peer-learning activities and expert exchanges.
• Support the establishment, operation and expansion of a regional TTO Network, including stakeholder mapping, member engagement, preparation of network activities, follow-up and documentation of outcomes.
• Liaise with TTOs, government agencies, universities, research institutions, innovation agencies and other relevant partners to identify capacity needs, good practices and opportunities for regional cooperation.
• Contribute to country and regional mapping of technology-transfer institutions, programmes, policies and support mechanisms.
• Prepare substantive inputs, background notes, concept notes, agendas, presentations, meeting records and other materials required for programme activities.
• Support linkages, where relevant, between the TTO Network and APCTT's technology-information and technology-transfer platforms and services.
• Track implementation progress, participant feedback and programme results, and contribute to monitoring, reporting and follow-up actions.

2) Research and Knowledge Products on Technology Transfer
• Support the development of the Asia-Pacific Technology Transfer Report, including research design, literature and policy review, data collection, stakeholder surveys and interviews, and compilation of country experiences and case studies.
• Collect, organize and analyse qualitative and quantitative information on technology-transfer ecosystems, institutional arrangements, policies, TTO capacity, technology commercialization and cross-border technology transfer in Asia and the Pacific.
• Draft and edit analytical inputs, country profiles, case studies, charts, tables and sections of reports and related knowledge products.
• Coordinate inputs from experts, member States and partner institutions and support peer-review, validation and publication processes.
• Help develop related knowledge products, such as policy briefs, TTO profiles, case-study collections and regional or country-level analytical materials.
• Maintain structured research files and datasets that can support future editions of the report and subsequent APCTT programming.

3) Programme Coordination and Other Related Functions
• Support communication and coordination with APCTT partners and participating institutions.
• Contribute to internal planning, reporting and knowledge management related to the technology transfer portfolio.
• Perform other related substantive tasks as required within the scope of the assignment.

Skills and experience

• At least 3 years of professional experience at the national and/or international level in technology transfer, innovation policy, technology commercialization, research and innovation management, capacity-building, international development, or other relevant programmes.
• Experience working with technology transfer offices, universities, research institutions, innovation agencies or public-sector science, technology and innovation programmes is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct policy and programme research, collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative information, and synthesize findings into clear analytical products. Knowledge of technology-transfer processes, TTO functions, intellectual property commercialization, innovation ecosystems or related areas is an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with government officials, universities, research institutions, TTOs, private-sector stakeholders, experts and international organizations across different cultural and institutional settings.
• Demonstrated ability to use generative AI tools to support research, drafting, data analysis is desirable. Experience with AI-assisted development of lightweight tools, dashboards, or prototypes is desirable.
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work with minimum supervision and to work under tight deadlines.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Building Trust
• Commitment and Motivation
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Communication
• Creativity
• Ethics and Values
• Integrity
• Planning and Organizing
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Self-Management
• Working in Teams

Living conditions

The assignment will be based in New Delhi. New Delhi is the capital city of India and experiences a diverse climate and distinct living conditions influenced by its weather, infrastructure, and culture. It is a melting pot of cultures, languages, and cuisines, reflecting the diverse nature of India. Overall, living in Delhi offers a mix of modern urban life with deep-rooted traditions and challenges typical of a large, bustling metropolis.

The UN Volunteer will be based at the APCTT/ESCAP Office in New Delhi, working in a professional, multicultural environment with access to the broader UN India system. New Delhi has an established expatriate and diplomatic community and offers a wide range of cultural, social and recreational activities.

The Conditions of Service, available here: https://explore.unv.org/cos, outline the policies and rules governing UN Volunteer assignments.

Full information on entitlements at the duty station can be accessed here: https://app.unv.org/calculator.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.