Chief - Global Economic Monitoring Unit - D1

United Nations
New York - United States
S: Competitive

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Global Economic Monitoring Unit of the Development Policy and Analysis Division (DPAD), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Division is mandated to provide analysis of global economic trends and macroeconomic policies, and analysis of strategies and policies for long-term development, and serve as the Secretariat for the Committee for Development Policy. The incumbent reports to the Director of the Division.

Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Director of the Development Policy and Analysis Division, the incumbent is responsible for planning, organizing and supervising all the activities of the Unit, managing its human and financial resources, and assisting the Director in coordinating and implementing the Department's activities on development policy and social and economic information. In this regard the incumbent:
(a) Plans and supervises the preparation of economic studies and documents on the world economy, including assigned reports for the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council and inputs to the Department's major flagship publications;
(b) Leads the publication of the World Economic Situation and Prospects, including the coordination of related activities with the UNCTAD, five UN Regional Commissions, and other offices;
(c) Manages the Secretariat's participation in Project LINK, an international network of institutions engaged in national economic forecasting, including drafting LINK Global Economic Outlook, Report of the LINK Meeting, modelling work, and providing technical support to such institutions in developing countries, where feasible;
(d) Oversees responding by the Unit to requests for information and economic analyses or particular issues and country situations, including statements, position papers, briefing papers, talking points, and contributions to the UN system country-focused groups convened outside DESA;
(e) Manages the Unit's human and financial resources, including providing guidance and support to staff and identifying the need for consultants and other non-staff resources;
(f) Prepares those portions of the strategic framework, programme budget and related material that pertain to the Unit;
(g) Represents the Unit in internal and external meetings and conferences relating to the work of the Unit and, as required, on other matters; and
(h) Advises and assists the Director on substantive and management questions and assumes responsibility on his/her behalf, as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of global macroeconomic issues, particularly, global trends in output, employment, inflation, trade, international finance, monetary policy and fiscal policy, as well as international economic linkages across countries. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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.

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.

Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in economics or related area. 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 fifteen years of progressively responsible experience undertaking global economic analyses, preferably in a policy-oriented environment. At least ten years of experience in the application of macroeconomics, international economics, and econometrics is required. Experience in providing intellectual and managerial leadership to a team of economic analysts and demonstrated supervisory skills is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other official United Nations languages is desirable.

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