Responsibilities

This position is located in the Secretariat of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Under the overall guidance of the Secretary-General of UNCTAD, the incumbent directs, manages and provides substantive leadership to the Division on International Trade in Goods and Services, and Commodities, including: -Developing policy approaches and proposals in the field of international trade, in consultation with the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary General of UNCTAD. -Defining and implementing the work programme of the Division, determining priority areas for the research, intergovernmental and technical cooperation activities. -Supervising and organizing the substantive servicing of intergovernmental meetings on areas of competence for the Division, including the clearance of policy papers. -Advising senior government officials on behalf of the Secretary-General of UNCTAD regarding issues and policies related to the work of the Division, and in particular those to be discussed and negotiated in the intergovernmental bodies of UNCTAD. -Oversees the administration and human resources management of the Division, including the preparation and management of the resources from the regular budget and extra-budgetary sources, PAS procedures and vacancy management. -Represents UNCTAD at high-level international meetings and contributes substantively to discussions and their outcome.

Competencies
Professionalism: In-depth knowledge of international trade issues, including of trade negotiations and their implications for development and for UNCTAD's work. Thorough knowledge of international economic issues and their implications for development. Communication: Excellent oral communication and drafting skills. Ability to communicate effectively with senior officials regarding substantive issues. Planning and organizing: Ability to plan and organize work, requiring an in-depth understanding of its strategic direction and ability to integrate the work of the Division into the work programme of the organization. Vision: Proven capacity to identify strategic issues, opportunities and risks in relation to international trade and the work of UNCTAD in this field. Leadership: Proven ability to provide strategic direction and ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve goals. Demonstrated capacity to provide the managerial and intellectual leadership to the Division. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all the areas of work, and demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Managing Performance: Ability to delegate appropriate responsibility and to ensure that goals, roles and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Supports creativity and initiative, and is able to motivate staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Economics or related field is required. A post graduate degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in Economics or related field is desirable. A first-level university degree, in combination with qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

Over 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience at the national and international levels dealing with international trade and development.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language, particularly French, is an advantage.
Other Skills

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

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

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

How to apply

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2006/3 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark.

Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary.