Senior Economic Affairs Officer

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

Org. Setting and Reporting
The position is located in the Office of the Director of the Division on Investment and Enterprise, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Senior Economics Affairs Officer usually reports to the Director of the Division on Investment and Enterprise.

Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the duties of a Senior Economic Affairs Officer are likely to fall mainly into one of the first three functional areas identified below but all are also likely to embrace a number of programme support responsibilities.

ECONOMIC OR SECTORAL ANALYSIS:
• Leads or participates in the formulation, organization and management of mandated programmes of economic analysis and the formulation of possible economic strategies, policies and actions for adoption by the international community.
• Leads or 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, and designs and develops programmes to address them.
• Supervises a team of staff economists undertaking this work.
• Commissions economic studies and analyses that cannot be undertaken internally.
• Conceives, plans and manages expert group meetings, seminars and similar consultations that contribute to the finalization of the work unit's outputs.
• Finalizes reports on development for issuance by the United Nations.
• Prepares speeches for senior staff and makes presentations on economic issues for specialist or non-specialist audiences.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT:
• Provides direct substantive support on development issues to intergovernmental bodies by offering strategic advice, giving technical guidance and assisting in developing a consensus.
• Manages the work unit's contribution to the preparation and management of meetings of intergovernmental bodies.
• Represents the organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings on development issues.

TECHNICAL COOPERATION:
• Develops and maintains relations with senior officials of member governments and ensures a response to requests for advice and/or assistance on issues and policies related to investment for development and the development of the private sector.
• Negotiates with donor and recipient governments on technical assistance programmes and projects.
• Organizes and coordinates cooperation among Member States on economic programmes or issues.
• Leads or participates in technical cooperation missions.

PROGRAMME SUPPORT:
• Functions as the head of the Office.
• Contributes to the formulation of the medium-term plan, the programme of work and the budget of the Division and participates in the formulation of the organization's overall programme of work and other similar endeavours.
• Attends to various administrative matters concerning the Division. •Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Division, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies
• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in investment and private sector development. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; 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 AND 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) in economics or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional 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 economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles and programme management in the area of international investment and enterprise development. Experience in dealing with the intergovernmental, legislative and oversight bodies of the United Nations, as well as the United Nations policies, regulations and rules is required.

Languages
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Job summary