Senior Economic Affairs Officer - P5

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

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Responsibilities

As part of an integrated team and under the overall supervision of the Secretary-General of UNCTAD, through the Chief, Office of the Secretary-General of UNCTAD, the incumbent undertakes the following functions:

• Provides direct support to the Secretary-General of UNCTAD (UNCTAD/SG), including by liaising with various stakeholders on behalf of the UNCTAD/SG;
• Contribute to OSG's capacity for providing macroeconomic policy advice and guidance, through building two-way linkages between the analytical work and the capacity development work of the divisions, identifying opportunities for joint collaboration and coherence within the Organization;
• Propose innovative approaches to create synergies and complementarities with key partners such as the UN funds, programmes and specialized agencies, including global economic governance entities;
• Leads and participates in the identification of new or emerging development issues of potential concern to the international community, particularly those of a regional or global nature, with a view of providing authoritative advice and substantive support to the Secretary-General of UNCTAD;
• Conceives plans and manages task force meetings, seminars and internal and external consultations that contribute to the finalization of substantive outputs through UNCTAD wide consensus around the SG's priorities;
• Oversees the preparation of statements, speeches, reports, background notes and other inputs to the UNCTAD/SG with a view to giving authoritative clearance;
• Supports the UNCTAD/SG in meetings and interactions with representatives of Member States, sister agencies and other stakeholders, including UNCTAD staff as necessary;
• Provides substantive support to the UNCTAD/SG during missions and meetings, and ensure follow-up to decision made;
• Assists the UNCTAD/SG in ensuring the mainstreaming of a gender perspective at all levels of UNCTAD's work;
• Provides direct substantive support on development issues to intergovernmental bodies by offering strategic advice giving technical guidance and assisting in developing a consensus;
• Assists in managing and supervising day to day functioning of the Office of the Secretary General of UNCTAD (OSG), including by overseeing the policy clearance of various UNCTAD outputs and the management of incoming and outgoing correspondence;
• Assists in managing the staff of the OSG, particularly those providing direct support to the Secretary-General of UNCTAD;
• Undertakes other functions as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrated intellectual leadership, strategic focus, capacity to identify options and articulate trade-offs and strong analytical skills. Ability to conduct research on economic topics in order to prepare various outputs for senior officials, such as statements, speeches and communication items. Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of international economic development issues as they relate to the work of UNCTAD; strong understanding of economic-related intergovernmental and regional process; 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.

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.

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.

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 improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced University degree (Masters' degree or PhD) in economics, preferably with specialization in macroeconomic policies. 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 ten years of progressively responsible professional experience dealing with economic development-related issues, including a track record of dealing with macroeconomic policy issues and challenges. Substantial international experience and exposure to relevant intergovernmental or regional processes are also required.

Languages

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

Job summary