Economic Affairs Officer

This post is located in the Section of Transport Facilitation and Economics of the Transport Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the P-4 Economic Affairs Officer and the overall supervision of the Chief of Section, the incumbent participates in the preparation and servicing of all intergovernmental meetings in the field of road transport and road safety, as well as in their follow up, including all work concerning the legal instruments administered by those bodies. In more detail, the incumbent will:

Participate in the preparation, servicing and follow-up of the biannual sessions of the Working Party on Road Traffic Safety. This involves drafting agendas and reports of meetings as well as writing and/or submitting an average of 15 working documents per session. Material for documents is obtained in consultation with Governments, international and non-governmental organizations. Servicing of sessions involves ensuring the most efficient running of the meeting by assisting the Chairman and other delegates, and introducing items when required.
Participate in the preparation, servicing and follow-up of the annual sessions of the Working Party on Road Transport. Description as above. Drafting/submitting an average of 12 working documents per session.
Assists Governments in acceding to, adhering to, revising and updating international legal instruments including the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic (and related Protocol), the 1968 Conventions on Road Traffic and on Road Signs and Signals and the European Agreements Supplementing them, the European Agreement on Main International Traffic Arteries (AGR), the European Agreement concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International Road Transport (AETR), and the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR) as well as the non-binding Consolidated Resolutions on Road Traffic (R.E.1), Road Signs and Signals (R.E.2) and the Facilitation of International Road Transport (R.E.4). This function involves capacity building and technical assistance in the subject areas, as well as the preparation of documentation for relevant intergovernmental meetings, posting them on the Internet, communicating amendment proposals to the Office of Legal Affairs in New York and providing information to Governments on the content of legal instruments and the procedures involved in accession to them.
Participate in the preparation, servicing and follow-up of Ad hoc and expert-group meetings mandated by the Working Party on Road Traffic Safety, Working Party on Road Transport and Inland Transport Committee.
Participate in fund raising, as well as in UNECE awareness raising campaigns.

Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Good knowledge of legal instruments related to road traffic safety and of related international programs. Ability to organize fund-raising campaigns and events as well as to implement, manage and monitor projects.
PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Proven ability to plan and organize in an efficient manner the work of international meetings and his/her own work; ability to work with tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent activities.
COMMUNICATION: Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to present issues and positions to justify the decisions taken by the relevant bodies. Ability to deal with conflicting circumstances in servicing intergovernmental meetings and negotiate compromises to reconcile varying points of view.
TEAMWORK: Good interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to develop and maintain excellent working relationships with counterparts, government officials, and representatives of intergovernmental organizations and NGOs of different national and cultural backgrounds. Ability to maintain excellent working relationships with counterparts.

Education
University degree economics, law, civil engineering or social sciences, preferably with a specialization in transport is required. Other university degrees would be acceptable if supported by specific experience in the fields of road transport or road safety.

Work Experience
A minimum of five years of practical experience in the fields of road transport or road traffic safety at both national and international levels, with stress on the latter is required. Specific experience in rolling out road safety improvement programmes as well as working experience in road transport operations or infrastructure management is a valuable asset. Experience in working with not-for-profit organizations, charities and foundations in support of fund raising as well as implementing and monitoring related projects and initiatives is desired.

Languages
Excellent oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of French and/or Russian is a valuable asset.

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