Economic Affairs Officer - P4

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
Geneva - Switzerland
S: Competitive

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Trade Negotiations and Commercial Diplomacy Branch , Division on International Trade in Goods and Services and Commodities, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head, Trade Negotiations and Commercial Diplomacy Branch, the Economic Affairs Officer will perform the following duties:

Economic or sector analysis:
• Monitors economic developments in the international trading system and domestic trade policies and regulations in particular in respect of multilateral and regional trade negotiations and development impact through, inter alia, attendance in meetings of various WTO bodies, sub-regional integration groupings of developing countries, and draws policy options for developing countries and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the United Nations.
• Designs and conducts policy oriented studies of selected issues in economic development and international trade and the international trading system, including multilateral trade negotiations (including on market access and rules on agricultural and non-agricultural products and services) as well as bilateral and regional trade agreements, trade policy formulation and implementation and new and emerging issues of international trade of interest to developing countries and LDCs and draft resulting reports.
• Interprets and applies results of econometric modelling to analysis of trade and economic prospects and policies.
• Develops draft policy recommendations pertaining to area of work.
• Formulates proposals for development strategies, policies and measures including on trade policy and trade negotiations issues for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and others.
• Attends international, regional, and national meetings to hold discussions with representatives of other institutions.
• Organizes expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues relating to international trade, international trading system, trade policies and trade negotiations.
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.

Intergovernmental support:
• Provides substantive support on trade policy, trade negotiations, international trading system economic and legal issues to intergovernmental bodies (such as the General Assembly, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Economic and Social Council, the Trade and Development Board, Trade and Development Commission, and expert meetings including on services, trade policy and trade negotiations and international trading system).
• Represents organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings.

Technical cooperation:
• Designs, backstop 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.

General:
• Supports junior staff, reviewing their work and providing feedback.
• Participates in intra- and inter-Departmental undertakings of broader concern to represent the views or interests of the organizational unit.
• 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 and trade and development theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development. Ability to conduct independent research on trade policy formulation and implementation, international trading system and trade negotiations and economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Good understanding of WTO Agreements. 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. Proven publication record.

• 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. Good presentation skills.

• 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 or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with 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 research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes and in the international trading system, trade policy formulation and implementation, and multilateral and regional trade negotiations of interest to developing countries. Experience with coordinating and servicing intergovernmental meetings and with trade-related technical cooperation programmes.

Languages

Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of French and Spanish is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Job summary