Economic Affairs Officer - P3

United Nations
New York - United States
S: Competitive

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the Director 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 supervision of the Director of the Division, the incumbent is responsible for the following duties:
• Assists the Director in all activities related to the work programme, budget and administrative matters, including the preparation of the Strategic Framework, Proposed Programme Budget, and Programme Performance Report, as well as the management of trust funds and support to the implementation of the development account projects as executed by the Division.
• Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources on topics relevant to the Division's work programme and coordinates various written outputs (e.g., draft background papers, analysis, section of reports and studies, inputs to policy briefs).
• Serves as focal point to the Office of the Under-Secretary-General of DESA, including coordination of the Division's inputs to various department-wide exercises and reports. Serves as focal point to the intergovernmental processes, including following intergovernmental deliberations relevant to the work of the programme of the Division and reporting to the Director on all relevant developments.
• Provides substantive support to meetings and seminars, proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparing documents and presentations.
• Undertakes outreach activities such as drafting inputs for the divisional website and other promotional material.
• Provides other support to the Director, such as but not limited to assisting in fund-raising activities for mobilizing voluntary contributions from public and private sources to the Trust Fund and liaising with non-governmental stakeholders in the UN's work in economics.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of international policy-making process and intergovernmental process at the United Nations. Knowledge and understanding of concepts and approaches relevant to results-based budgeting and programme management. Familiarity with UN Secretariat policies, guidelines, processes and protocols. Ability to organize meetings, build partnerships with outside collaborators. 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.

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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field. 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, including experience in programme planning and management. Experience with IMDIS is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of a second UN official language is an advantage.

Job summary