Result of Service

Objective: This role will focus on automating the workflows of key pilot projects that improve event planning and stakeholder management, among other pilot solutions in other critical areas of ESCAP’s work. The aim is to streamline operations and create replicable models to be used by other teams to implement automation solutions within their own projects. This support is designed to enable personnel to focus on higher-value tasks while improving efficiency, reducing human error, and increasing overall productivity. The expert will suggest solutions, design, implement, and integrate automated workflows with existing corporate systems using Microsoft automation tools such as Power Platform. They must be able to gather requirements, plan automation projects, communicate with stakeholders, and manage progress while aligning with business goals.

Work Location

Remotely

Expected duration

9 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region. The ESCAP secretariat supports inclusive, resilient and sustainable development in the region by generating action-oriented knowledge, and by providing technical assistance and capacity-building services in support of national development objectives, regional agreements and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ESCAP also provides support to partners at the national level. To deliver on its mandate, easily adapt to change, and increase the impact of its work, ESCAP seeks to continuously innovate its knowledge products, culture, and internal processes. ESCAP’s corporate innovation efforts are led by an inter-divisional team that promotes internal innovation activities to shape the organization’s culture, help reshape ESCAP’s products and services, promote greater cross-collaboration among Divisions, and expose personnel to digital tools, Human Centred Design (HCD) and Design Thinking methodologies. This position is located in the Division of Administration and operates at the organization-wide level under the supervision of the Office of the Executive Secretary. The incumbent reports directly to the Innovation Team members. The Innovation Team is committed to supporting ESCAP personnel by helping them implement their ideas for business process automation to streamline their work. Many have expressed interest in automated workflows but lack the technical expertise to create them. To address this need, the team is expanding its support to include process automation in close collaboration with the Information Management, Communication, and Technology Section (IMCTS). The team is looking to hire a contractor with knowledge and experience in business process automation using Microsoft AI-powered low-code tools like Power Platform. The contractor will support the development of select automated solutions. Proactivity, leadership, creative thinking to identify possible solutions, communication, and client orientation are critical skills for this role. The position is remote, but with compatible working hours with Thailand. The IC will receive a monthly fee upon successful completion of the assignments for the month delivering its services on a full-time basis (Monday-Friday). (9 months from 15 December 2024 to 14 September 2025). The monthly fee ranges from USD 2,000 to 3,000, depending on the candidate’s professional experience at the time of assessment. Responsibilities In close collaboration with and under the supervision of the Innovation Team, the contractor supports: 1. Assessment of Current Processes: Analyze existing workflows for the projects selected by the Innovation Team to understand their current structures, challenges, and improvement opportunities. Conduct detailed consultations with relevant stakeholders to gather requirements and identify areas suitable for automation. 2. Design of Automated Solutions: Develop comprehensive automation strategies and propose digital solutions tailored to each project’s specific needs. The expert should design scalable, efficient, and user-friendly systems. 3. Development and Implementation: Build and deploy the automated systems, ensuring that they integrate seamlessly with existing processes and platforms. The expert is responsible for managing the entire development lifecycle, from prototyping to final implementation. 4. Testing and Quality Assurance: Conduct rigorous testing of the automated solutions to identify and fix any issues or bugs. The expert should ensure that the systems meet quality standards and perform consistently in real-world conditions. 5. Training and Knowledge Transfer: Provide training and user guides for team members who will interact with the new automated systems. Empower colleagues with the knowledge and skills required to effectively use and maintain these systems. 6. Documentation: Develop detailed technical documentation for the automated systems, including architecture diagrams, process flows, and integration points. Documentation should be clear enough to allow for future updates or troubleshooting by other IT professionals. 7. Adherence to Security Standards: Ensure that the automated systems comply with organizational security policies and standards. The expert should implement security measures to safeguard data integrity and confidentiality.

Qualifications/special skills

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field is required. Advanced certifications in Microsoft Power Platform are an asset Minimum of three years’ experience with the Microsoft Power Platform, focusing on designing and managing automated workflows using Power Automate, Power BI, Power Pages, and Power Apps to enhance data processes and stakeholder interactions. Proficiency in integrating automation solutions with SharePoint, Dataverse, Microsoft Teams, and Azure is required. Proven ability to transform manual data entry and reporting, optimize data extraction, and improve dashboard functionality and visualization tools. Strong project management and communication skills are essential for setting priorities, gathering requirements, and aligning projects with organizational goals.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, excellent English communication skill is required. Knowledge of the other working language is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.