Economic Affairs Officer - P3

United Nations
Bangkok - Thailand
S: Competitive

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

ESCAP is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality within the Secretariat. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

This is a temporary position and will be available until 29 October 2017. If selected, an internal candidate will be on temporary assignment to the post; an external candidate will initially be offered a one-year appointment. Any extension of appointment is subject to satisfactory performance and continued availability of the post.

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 economic and social development in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP's role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership, through its analytical, normative and technical cooperation, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

The objective of the Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Division (IDD) is to strengthen information and communications technology (ICT) connectivity and enhance regional cooperation and capacity with the goals of improved management of disaster risk reduction and the associated socioeconomic risks, towards an inclusive and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific.

The ICT and Development Section (IDS) provides analytical support and promotes regional policy dialogue and partnerships for improved ICT connectivity, with a focus on policy cooperation for infrastructure development and, inclusive and resilient development. IDS promotes integrated and people-centred approaches by providing member States (in particular to least developed countries and countries with special needs) with socioeconomic analysis on rapid advances in ICT, emerging trends, new forms of social networking and communication, and new digital divides. IDS also provides policy options and recommendations on digital inclusion and on fostering an inclusive and resilient knowledge society in Asia and the Pacific.

This position is located in the IDS and the incumbent reports to the Chief of IDS.

Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Director of IDD, and direct supervision of the Chief of IDS, the Economic Affairs Officer is responsible for the following duties:

Economic analysis
• Works with socioeconomic databases and qualitative information necessary for regular and ad hoc analysis of regional digital connectivity trends and challenges.
• Analyses new digital trends and identifies new information sources on ICT for development.
• Carries out research and analysis on ICT policies for sustainable development, including aspects related to ICT infrastructures.
• Drafts inputs for policy papers and analytical studies on selected global, regional, national or sector aspects, including those related to the global dialogue processes overviewing the role of ICT for development.
• Identifies and analyses implications of cross-sectoral developmental policies.
• Regularly updates regional maps of critical information related to ICT.
• Attends international, regional, and national meetings to coordinate and share information with colleagues in other institutions.
• Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on ICT issues.
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.

Intergovernmental support:
• Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies, including the Committee on Information and Communications Technology, Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction, the annual session of the ESCAP Commission, and the Asia-Pacific Disaster Report.
• 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.

General:
• Establishes and sustains partnerships with stakeholders including within ESCAP, with other relevant international organizations and research institutions.
• Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit's services.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development. Ability to conduct independent research on economic topics, including ICT for development. Determines suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing sources for data collection and quantitative analysis. 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.

• Planning and 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.

• 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, social sciences or related field. A relevant or related first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with an additional two 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 at the international level in development policy, research and analysis, policy formulation, economic research and analysis, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area is required. Experience in analyzing trends and policy challenges emerging in the digital economy and knowledge societies is desirable. Experience in analyzing ICT infrastructure markets, mapping socio-economic data and/or in managing geographic information systems is an advantage.

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