Economic Affairs Officer, P3

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the New York Office of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The incumbent supports UNCTAD’s engagement with the United Nations System for the integrated treatment of trade and development and interrelated issues in the areas of finance, technology, investment and sustainable development. The future incumbent will be under the direct supervision of the Chief, UNCTAD New York Office and will receive the overall guidance of the Director of the Office of the Secretary-General of UNCTAD.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the duties of the Economic Affairs Officer include:

Economic or sector analysis:

• Develops socio-economic databases and qualitative information necessary for specified recurrent or ad hoc assignments on the basis of existing UNCTAD work and in coordination with UNCTAD substantive divisions;
• Interprets, applies and, as necessary, adapts econometric models to determine trends, patterns and relationships and to analyse the effects of alternative policies and assumptions on the basis of existing UNCTAD work and in coordination with UNCTAD substantive Divisions;
• Drafts specified inputs from the perspective of ongoing processes in New York for technical papers and analytical studies on selected global, regional, national or sector aspects of economic development;
• Identifies and analyses policy proposals made elsewhere relating to assigned topics;
• Attends international, regional, and national meetings to collect information and to hold discussions with colleagues in other institutions;
• Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues;
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by the Secretary General or Deputy Secretary General of UNCTAD, Chief of the New York Office, or as required, by UNCTAD Directors;
• Provides advice on the definition of a communication and outreach stream to UNCTAD stakeholders in New York with colleagues responsible for communications in the UNCTAD secretariat and with substantive Divisions.

Intergovernmental support:

• Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies;
• Follows intergovernmental meetings, liaises with member State delegates and prepares summary reports, in particular to identify key issues of strategic importance from UNCTAD’s perspective, and to advise the Chief of the New York Office and, as required, UNCTAD senior management;
• Prepares inputs to statements by members of the Bureau and Secretariat staff to such meetings;
• Assists in the organization of panels, round tables etc. on development issues for intergovernmental processes.

Technical cooperation:

• Participates in missions on development issues, usually as a member of a team;
• Organizes training seminars for national experts member State delegates and other stakeholders in New York, in cooperation with UNCTAD Divisions.

General:

• Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work of the UNCTAD New York Office;
• Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally;
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Sound knowledge of international economic development issues from a multilateral perspective. Excellent knowledge of the political context of development policy-making. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in economics or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area is required;
• At least two years of experience participating or providing direct support to intergovernmental negotiations on development issues in the United Nations, or other similar intergovernmental bodies with membership of both developing and developed countries, is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in English is required. Fluency in either French or Spanish is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Application instructions

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