Chief of Unit - Committee for Development Policy Secretariat

United Nations
New York - United States
S: Competitive

Special Notice
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Appointment at the United Nations is subject to mandatory adherence to the United Nations Financial Disclosure Programme.

Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Committee for Development Policy Secretariat in the Development Policy and Analysis Division (DPAD), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Division is mandated to provide analysis of global economic trends and macroeconomic policies, and analysis of strategies and policies for long term development, and serve as the Secretariat for the Committee for Development Policy. The incumbent will report to the Director, DPAD.

Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Director and with delegated authority, the Chief of Unit will be responsible for the following.

•Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Unit under his/her supervision, including providing quantitative and qualitative analyses, particularly for its work relating to the list of least developed countries (LDCs) in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Unit including tasks related to direct responses to intergovernmental matters such as economic sanctions and development; monitoring of policies and actions towards Sustainable Development Goals achievement; the global partnership for development; graduation prospects of LDCs economic issues of post-conflict situations; and maintaining the database for monitoring the conditions of LDCs with respect to the triennial review of the LDC category.
•Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Unit on such issues as economic sanctions and development; maintaining data bases for the monitoring of the development progress of LDCs according to the LDC criteria and the goals of the Istanbul Plan of Action and for LDC-specific support measures and co-ordinates the work carried with other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system as appropriate;
•Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Second Committee, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate.
•Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.
•Ensures that the outputs produced by the Unit maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Unit under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
•Assists the Director in preparing the work programme of the Unit, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
•Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Unit, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance, interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
•Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical balance.
•Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.
•Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Unit and across organizational boundaries.
•Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars.
•Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
•Represents the Division at international, regional or national meetings.

Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Demonstrated record of management, technical leadership skills, and publications on core issues of development and development policy. 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.

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.

Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in economics, or related field. A first-level university degree in any of these fields, 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 fifteen 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 with programme/project planning, analysis and/or budgeting is required. Experience with high level development policy research/practice is desirable. Experience drafting policy on sustainable development issues is desirable. Experience working in multicultural and multidisciplinary settings 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 French is desirable.

Job summary