Result of Service

Under the direct supervision of the responsible project officer, and the overall guidance of the Chief of Section the Individual Contractor will work at ESCAP premises in Bangkok, Thailand, to support the preparation of activities and materials under the project. The duties of the Individual Contractor will include: 1. Support the design and set-up of an Autonomous Vehicles Partnership as a permanent platform for peer-to-peer learning sessions and regional exchange, to foster dialogue between policymakers, industry players, and other stakeholders. Support in establishing partnerships with academic and research institutions and leading private sector players to leverage their expertise in AV technology and remain up to date on technology and business model developments in the future. 2. Support the preparation and conduct of one regional meeting (hybrid format). 3. Develop and disseminate knowledge products on autonomous vehicles during a regional or global event. Knowledge products include relevant gender analysis, and lessons learned from a regional study covering the opportunities and challenges for greener, more inclusive and safer transport and resulting policy implications, to be developed under the project. 4. Maintain and update the project files and materials, including consultant materials and reports, data sheets; contact lists and related documents.

Work Location

Bangkok

Expected duration

15Mar2025-14Dec2025

Duties and Responsibilities

ESCAP supports its member States in developing efficient, environmentally sustainable, safe and inclusive transport networks and services, in line with the Regional Action Programme on Sustainable Transport Development in Asia and the Pacific (2022-2026). As part of this mandate, ESCAP has been implementing comprehensive capacity development and technical assistance programmes on, among others, the use of digital and automated technologies to improve traffic efficiency, connectivity, and safety, sustainable urban transport and inclusive and low-carbon transport. Within the context of these activities, ESCAP is implementing the project “Automating the Future: Autonomous Vehicles for Greener and more Inclusive Transport – Policy Implications for Asia and the Pacific” in the period 2025-2027. Autonomous vehicles (AVs, including RoboTaxis) utilize a suite of innovative technologies and have the potential to disrupt the conventional set-up of road-based transport along multiple dimensions, especially in urban areas. AVs could contribute to significantly lowering carbon emissions, reduce traffic congestion, improve transport accessibility, and thereby contribute to more sustainable, just and environmentally friendly transport systems across the diverse and rapidly urbanizing Asia-Pacific region. While AVs are piloted in countries like the USA, China, and the Republic of Korea, member States in the Asia-Pacific region face challenges due to underdeveloped regulatory frameworks. As private AV fleet operators push this technology into the market, often under ride-hailing or ride-sharing models, there is a critical need for well-defined regulations. Unresolved questions around, for instance, liability in the event of AV-related accidents hinder the ability of policymakers and the private sector to fully realize the potential of AVs. Against this background, ESCAP Transport Division is seeking to engage an individual contractor, to work at the ESCAP premises, with the objective of developing an Autonomous Vehicles Partnership as a permanent platform for peer-to-peer learning sessions and regional exchange, to foster dialogue between policymakers, industry players, and other stakeholders; to conduct one regional meeting and support the development and dissemination of knowledge products on autonomous vehicles during a regional/global event. Knowledge products include relevant gender analysis, and lessons learned from a regional study covering the opportunities and challenges for greener, more inclusive and safer transport and resulting policy implications.

Qualifications/special skills

University degree in economics, business, engineering, international relations or related discipline. Required: (i) Experience on transport related topics in Asia and the Pacific, preferably on digital transport solutions or low carbon transport (ii) Demonstrated ability in drafting and editing materials on transport and/or international development issues, preferably in Asia-Pacific (iii) Familiarity with the Sustainable Development Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals and indicators Desirable: (i) Experience in the UN secretariat or other UN common system entity; (ii) Experience or familiarity with the UN editorial manual

Languages

Fluency in written and oral English is required.

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.