Senior Ecomonic Affairs Officer - P5

United Nations
New York - United States
S: Competitive

Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Policy Analysis and Development Branch of the Financing for Development Office (FFDO) in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Financing for Development Office provides secretariat support for follow-up to and implementation of the outcomes of the International Conferences on Financing for Development and the means of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. More information can be found at: http://www.un.org/esa/ffd/. The Senior Economic Affairs Officer reports to the Chief of Policy Analysis and Development Branch of the Financing for Development Office.

Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Chief of Policy Analysis and Development Branch of the Financing for Development Office, the Senior Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
•Lead or participate in the formulation of proposals for development strategies, policies and measures for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and others; as well as develop draft policy recommendations pertaining to area of work.
•Lead in the monitoring of economic developments and identification of recurrent and emerging issues related to other thematic areas of the Monterrey Consensus, Doha Declaration and Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development, as well as related outcomes.
•Design and conduct studies of selected issues in Financing for Development; engage in economic analysis; draft inputs to Secretary-General reports, technical papers and publications.
•Take a leading role in organizing the Inter-Agency Task Force on Financing for Development (IATF), including planning for its reports, website and meetings; take the lead on assigned chapters of the IATF report and the related areas of the IATF website, including working with agencies, compiling inputs, and editing and drafting chapter material; take the lead on specific IATF work-streams.
•Organize and manage expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on the topics related to FfD, including drafting reports and summaries, overseeing note-taking and other administrative support as needed.
•Prepare speeches and other inputs for presentations on topics related to the FfD process and related areas by senior staff and review inputs of junior staff and provide feedback.
•Provide substantive support and policy analysis, research and technical advice on issues relating to the FfD follow-up process to the intergovernmental process. Provide direct substantive support to the General Assembly and ECOSOC meetings withing the FfD follow-up process and review and coordinate substantive inputs to ensure coherence and coordination. Service meetings within the FfD follow-up process as required.
• Participate in international and regional conferences, inter-agency consultations and expert group meetings to collect and exchange information, deliver presentations and hold discussions with colleagues from the other institutional and non-institutional stakeholders in the FfD process.
•Perform other related duties as assigned by the Chief, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the FfDO's outputs.

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 develop economic policies and make recommendations on their implementation. 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.

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.

Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; Clearly communicates links between the Organization's strategy and the work unit's goals; Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; Empowers others to translate vision into results; Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in economics or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area is required. Experience in economic development, including on issues related to development finance, including international public finance is required. A minimum of five years of experience in engaging with intergovernmental activities and processes on economic policy issues is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Job summary