Economic Affairs Officer - P3

United Nations
Incheon City - Korea, South
S: Competitive

Org. Setting and Reporting

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote regional cooperation for inclusive and sustainable economic and social development in the Asian and Pacific region. The role of ESCAP as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support Member States, through its analytical, normative and technical cooperation work, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

ESCAP Subregional Office for East and North-East Asia (SOENEA) covers the following six countries: China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia, Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation. ESCAP-ENEA is established to enhance multilateral cooperation in North-East Asia in areas including trade and transport facilitation, environment, energy, disaster risk reduction and social inclusion, serving as the development arm of the United Nations in North-East Asia.

This position is located in the East and North-East Asia Office of ESCAP, Incheon and reports to the Head of Office.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Office, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions:

Economic or sector analysis

• Develops socio-economic databases and qualitative/quantitative information necessary for major ESCAP publications including the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific and other specified current or ad hoc assignments.
• Designs and conducts studies of selected issues on sustainable development in ENEA economies and draft resulting reports.
• Drafts inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on selected global, regional, national or sector aspects of economic development.
• Interprets, applies and as necessary adapts econometric models to determine trends, patterns and relationships and to analyse the effects of alternative policies and assumptions.
• Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues.
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.
• Attends international, regional and national meetings to collect information and to hold discussions with stakeholders and colleagues in other institutions.

Intergovernmental support

• Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies.
• Follows intergovernmental meetings and prepares summary reports.
• 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.
• Prepares documentation for technical cooperation programmes and projects.
• Contributes to the preparation of material for the approval of regional, country or sector technical cooperation projects.
• Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects.
• Collaborate closely with ESCAP Divisions and subregional offices in developing and implementing joint projects.

General

• Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit's services.
• Develops partnerships and networks in support of ENEA economies.
• Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development with a focus on trade, transport and integration issues is required. Ability to conduct independent research, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources is desirable. Shows skills in developing sources for data collection. 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

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Economics or 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 research and policy analysis on the economic, trade and/or regional integration is required. Experience working with governments in ENEA as well as publications in these fields are desirable.

Languages

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

Job summary