The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has announced multiple international career opportunities for experienced professionals seeking to contribute to sustainable development, climate action, economic transformation, regional cooperation, and public administration across the Asia-Pacific region.

These positions span senior leadership roles, programme management opportunities, and specialized consultancy assignments. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to work with one of the most influential regional bodies of the United Nations while helping member states achieve sustainable development goals and long-term economic resilience.

Applications are currently open for four positions, with deadlines ranging from 8 June to 4 July 2026.

About ESCAP

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) serves as the regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat.

ESCAP works to:

• Promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth
• Strengthen regional connectivity
• Support climate action initiatives
• Enhance policy development and implementation
• Facilitate technical cooperation among member states
• Advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Through policy research, technical assistance, capacity-building programmes, and regional cooperation initiatives, ESCAP supports countries in addressing emerging economic, environmental, and social challenges.

1. Head, Subregional Office for North and Central Asia (D-1)

Location

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Application Deadline

27 June 2026

Position Overview

ESCAP is seeking an experienced international development leader to head its Subregional Office for North and Central Asia (SONCA).

The selected candidate will oversee ESCAP’s engagement with:

• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Georgia
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Russian Federation
• Tajikistan
• Turkmenistan
• Uzbekistan

As the organization’s senior representative in the subregion, the successful candidate will lead policy dialogue, regional cooperation initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and strategic programme implementation.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent ESCAP throughout North and Central Asia
• Lead subregional development programmes
• Support implementation of the Special Programme for Economies of Central Asia (SPECA)
• Provide policy advice to senior UN leadership
• Build partnerships with governments, development partners, civil society, and academia
• Manage budgets, staffing, and programme delivery
• Support regional sustainable development initiatives

Qualifications

Applicants should possess:

• Master’s degree in Economics, Social Sciences, or a related field
• Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience
• Significant international-level experience
• Strong policy formulation and programme management expertise
• Experience working with governments and international organizations

Why Apply?

This role offers a unique opportunity to influence development policy and regional cooperation across one of the world’s most strategically important regions.

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2. Programme Officer (P-3)

Location

Bangkok, Thailand

Application Deadline

23 June 2026

Position Overview

ESCAP is recruiting a Programme Officer to support the implementation of the Energy Transition for Green Growth and Prosperity Programme.

This multi-year initiative focuses on accelerating sustainable energy transitions, promoting green industrial development, and supporting economic transformation throughout Asia-Pacific countries.

The successful candidate will work within the Financing for Development Section of the Macroeconomic Policy and Financing for Development Division.

Key Responsibilities

• Support programme implementation and evaluation
• Coordinate technical assistance projects
• Conduct policy research and analysis
• Support high-level advisory groups and donor engagement
• Organize workshops and stakeholder consultations
• Prepare reports, studies, and policy papers
• Contribute to financing and energy transition initiatives
• Support regional cooperation programmes

Areas of Focus

The role will contribute to work related to:

• Energy transition financing
• Green growth
• Sustainable development
• Regional cooperation
• Power grid interconnection
• Social development
• Artificial intelligence and economic transformation
• Macroeconomic policy

Qualifications

Applicants should have:

• Master’s degree in Finance, Economics, Energy, International Relations, Business Administration, Political Science, or related fields
• Minimum five years of relevant professional experience
• Experience in financing energy transition projects
• Experience supporting international development initiatives
• Strong research and analytical capabilities

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity for mid-career professionals interested in sustainable finance, energy transition, and international development.

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3. Director of Administration (D-1)

Location

Bangkok, Thailand

Application Deadline

04 July 2026

Position Overview

ESCAP is seeking a highly experienced executive leader to serve as Director of Administration.

The position oversees all major administrative operations supporting ESCAP and various UN entities across the Asia-Pacific region.

This is one of the most senior administrative leadership positions within ESCAP.

Key Responsibilities

The Director will lead operations covering:

• Human resources management
• Finance and budgeting
• Procurement
• Information technology services
• Conference services
• Real estate management
• Central support services
• Travel and transport services
• Host country relations

The role also includes supporting major UN reform initiatives, modernization programmes, operational efficiency projects, and organizational transformation efforts.

Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Human Resources, Management, or related fields
• Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible administrative experience
• Experience leading large multi-functional teams
• Strong knowledge of UN systems and procedures
• Expertise in organizational transformation and operational management

Why Apply?

This position offers an opportunity to shape administrative excellence and operational innovation across one of the UN’s largest regional commissions.

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4. Expert in Transport Finance (Consultant)

Duty Station

Bangkok, Thailand

Work Location

Fiji

Application Deadline

08 June 2026

Contract Duration

22 June 2026 – 31 December 2026

Position Overview

ESCAP is recruiting a national consultant to support the development of Fiji’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 3.0 Costed Implementation Plan (CIP).

The consultancy forms part of ESCAP’s regional project aimed at strengthening member states’ capacity to implement low-carbon and climate-resilient transport systems.

The assignment will help transform Fiji’s climate commitments into actionable and financially viable transport investments.

Project Goals

The consultant will contribute to:

• Low-carbon transport development
• Climate-resilient transport planning
• Sustainable transport financing
• Climate mitigation strategies
• Green transport investment pipelines
• NDC implementation

Key Responsibilities

Sector Analysis

• Analyze Fiji’s transport mitigation targets
• Review transport decarbonization strategies
• Assess policy priorities

Project Pipeline Development

• Identify transport mitigation projects
• Estimate CAPEX and OPEX requirements
• Assess investment gaps
• Prioritize climate investments

Policy and Technical Support

• Draft transport chapters for the Costed Implementation Plan
• Develop monitoring and reporting frameworks
• Integrate climate and gender considerations

Stakeholder Engagement

• Participate in consultations and workshops
• Present technical findings
• Support validation processes

Qualifications

Applicants should possess:

• Advanced degree in Transport, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Climate Change, Energy Studies, or related fields
• At least seven years of experience in:
  • Sustainable transport
  • Climate change mitigation
  • Transport decarbonization
  • Transport finance
  • Transport policy analysis
• Knowledge of Fiji’s climate policies and institutional framework
• Strong expertise in transport modelling and GHG accounting

Why Apply?

This consultancy provides a unique opportunity to directly contribute to Fiji’s climate transition strategy and support sustainable transport investments with long-term environmental and economic impact.

Click here for more and to apply

 

Important Application Deadlines

Applicants should carefully note the following deadlines:

1. Expert in Transport Finance – 08 June 2026
2. Programme Officer (P-3) – 23 June 2026
3. Head, Subregional Office for North and Central Asia (D-1) – 27 June 2026
4. Director of Administration (D-1) – 04 July 2026

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to submit applications well before the closing dates.

Why Consider a Career with ESCAP?

Working with ESCAP provides professionals with the opportunity to:

• Influence regional and global development policy
• Collaborate with governments and international organizations
• Support climate action and sustainable development initiatives
• Build experience within the United Nations system
• Contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
• Work in diverse multicultural environments
• Lead impactful projects affecting millions of people across Asia and the Pacific

For professionals seeking meaningful international careers, these ESCAP vacancies represent exceptional opportunities to create lasting impact while advancing their careers within the United Nations system.

 

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