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 placed within the Programmes Unit, which is responsible for the delivery of flagship initiatives, including Technology Needs Assessments, technology transfers, and targeted country support by capacity building. The Unit works across sectors and partners to translate identified technology needs into concrete interventions that align technology solutions with development priorities in LDCs.

Within this context, the UN Volunteer will support the Technology Bank’s work by contributing to the identification, assessment and prioritization of technologies suitable for transfer; assisting in the design of implementation and capacity-building strategies; and supporting dialogue and partnership development between technology providers, centres of excellence, private sector actors and recipient institutions in LDCs.

Building on the findings of Technology Needs Assessments, which have identified priority technologies to accelerate progress in key sectors, the assignment will focus on advancing technology transfer and designing capacity-building initiatives that facilitate knowledge exchange, strengthen national capabilities and reduce the technological divide.

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), providing integrated analytical, technical and operational support across the full project cycle of science, technology and innovation capacity-building and technology transfer initiatives, with a particular focus on agriculture, health, digital transformation and emerging technologies in least developed countries (LDCs):
• Conduct background research, landscape analysis and desk reviews to support the design of STI capacity-building and technology transfer projects, drawing on Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs), national development strategies and sectoral priorities in LDCs.
• Support technology scouting and horizon scanning efforts by identifying, screening and assessing emerging and existing technologies with high potential for transfer, scale-up and sustainable impact in LDC contexts.
• Contribute to the mapping and assessment of technological solutions in priority sectors, including agriculture, health, digital transformation and SME digitalization, with attention to feasibility, affordability, scalability and institutional readiness.
• Prepare technical summaries, concept notes, background papers and analytical briefs outlining technology options, adaptation pathways and capacity-building requirements, aligned with inclusive growth, gender equality, and youth empowerment objectives.
• Support the development of nationally driven and multi-country project proposals based on TNA findings, translating identified priorities into concrete, investment-ready initiatives.
• Provide technical and operational support to the implementation of STI capacity-building and technology transfer projects.
• Support the coordination and delivery of capacity-building activities, including trainings, peer-learning exchanges and South–South and triangular cooperation initiatives, in collaboration with partner institutions and centres of excellence.
• Assist in the preparation of implementation plans, workplans, technical inputs and coordination materials to ensure timely and effective project delivery in line with approved objectives, budgets and timelines.
• Contribute to the development of technology briefs, policy notes, toolkits and guidance materials to support technology adoption, governance and scale-up in LDCs.
• Support stakeholder engagement with governments, the private sector, academia, innovation hubs and UN system partners to facilitate partnerships, matchmaking and knowledge exchange for technology transfer and STI ecosystem strengthening.
• Assist in the substantive monitoring of programme and project implementation, including tracking outputs and outcomes against results frameworks and indicators of achievement.
• Contribute to the preparation of progress reports, internal briefs, donor reports and knowledge products documenting lessons learned, best practices and emerging insights from implementation.
• Participate in technical missions, workshops and consultations in LDCs and partner countries, providing substantive support and follow-up as required.
• Support senior management in strategic engagement related to STI capacity building and technology transfer, including preparation for high-level meetings, donor consultations, technical missions and inter-agency coordination.
• Contribute analytical inputs, briefing notes and presentations to inform strategic decision-making, resource mobilization efforts and positioning of the Technology Bank’s capacity-building portfolio.
• Performs other duties as required.