Senior Economic Affairs Officer - P5

United Nations
New York - United States
S: Competitive

This position is located in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Division for Sustainable Development (DSD) in New York. The Senior Economic Affairs Officer will report to the Chief of Emerging Issues Branch.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Leads or participates in analysis and the formulation of possible strategies, policies and actions in the areas of oceans, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and sustainable development, for adoption by the international community.
• Leads or participates in the identification of new or emerging sustainable development issues of potential concern to the international community, particularly those relating to oceans and SIDS.
• Prepares and finalizes reports and other documents on oceans, SIDS, sustainable development for issuance by the United Nations.
• Prepares speeches for senior staff.
• Represents the Branch and Division and makes presentations on oceans, SIDS and sustainable development issues at various fora of intergovernmental, interagency, multistakeholder or other nature.
• Provides direct substantive support on oceans, SIDS and sustainable development issues to UN intergovernmental bodies on oceans and sustainable development by offering strategic advice, giving technical guidance and assisting in developing a consensus.
• Manages the branch's contribution to the preparation, organization and management of meetings of intergovernmental bodies.
• Contributes to the formulation of the strategic framework plan, the programme of work and the budget of the Branch and participate in the formulation of the organization's overall programme of work and other similar endeavours.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Proven knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to sustainable development and, in particular, on issues related to oceans and SIDS. Demonstrated ability to support formal and informal intergovernmental processes and apply good judgment. Proven ability to analyze complex data and produce reports leading to sound policy recommendations for achieving sustainable development especially in the context of oceans and SIDS; Solid understanding of the political environment and the programmes and activities of the UN system in implementing the sustainable development agenda; Ability to think strategically, to identify key emerging sustainable development issues and related policy implications. 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in oceanography, marine biology, sustainable development, economics, public policy, natural resources management, engineering, law, social sciences or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in policy formulation or related work in a broad range of sustainable development programmes. Experience servicing intergovernmental bodies required. Experience working on issues related to oceans, and SIDS desirable. Experience drafting reports for intergovernmental bodies desirable. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree recognised by the United Nations.

Languages

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

Job summary