Economic Affairs Officer - P4

United Nations
Suva - Fiji
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 sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP's role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policy oriented research and analysis, normative support and technical assistance and capacity building, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

The post is based in the Subregional Office for the Pacific (SOP) in Suva, Fiji. The Office provides a subregional platform that links the work of ESCAP and the needs of the Pacific island developing States in their efforts to achieve sustainable development.

Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Head of SOP, the incumbent will have the following duties and responsibilities:

•Monitors economic developments in the Pacific, particularly related to follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the United Nations.
•Designs and conducts studies of selected issues in economic development and the development and use of economic indicators for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
•Develops policy recommendations pertaining to national planning and statistical systems for follow-up and review of economic development in the Pacific.
•Formulates proposals for development strategies, policies and measures for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and other fora.
•Organizes expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on economic issues related to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
•Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.
•Represents organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings.
•Designs and monitors technical cooperation projects.
•Undertakes missions to member states, either alone or as a participant in a diverse team, as part of the Organization's technical cooperation activities.
•Prepares global, regional, national or sector analyses that provide a basis for advising national governments on economic development issues.
•Conducts training seminars and workshops for government officials and others.
•Formulates technical modalities for the evaluation of individual technical cooperation projects.
•Supports junior staff, reviewing their work and providing feedback.
•Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit's service.
•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. Ability to conduct independent research on economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Ability to identify and develop 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.

•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 economics, statistics, social science or a field related to sustainable development. A first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in economic or sustainable development research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic and social development monitoring and statistical capacity development or related area. Expertise in the areas related to indicator development and use in policy formation is desirable. Experience working on sustainable development issues in the Pacific 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.

Job summary