Chief Trade Information Section, P-5

UNCTAD - United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Geneva, Switzerland

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the Trade Analysis Branch in the Division of International Trade and Commodities (DITC) at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The future incumbent will head the Trade Information Section and will report to the Chief of the Branch (TAB).

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief of the Trade Information Section will be responsible for the following functions:

Leads the implementation of UNCTAD’s Non-Tariff Measures and Voluntary Standards Programme.
Coordinates with the Trade Policy Research Section and other units in the Division on International Trade and Commodities in conducting studies and analysis on trade issues in accordance with intergovernmental work programme.
Provides policy guidance to the Chief of Branch, on conceptual strategy development and management of the implementation of overall strategies and intra and inter-divisional policies and procedures.
Plans and oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Section; ensures that substantive work programmes and programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion, coordinating diverse projects in the Section, and, in liaison with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate.
Manages, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Section under his/her responsibility, which includes the development of trade databases, analytical tools and dissemination portals, including the Trade Analysis and Information System (TRAINS). Co-ordinates the work carried out by the Section; provides programmatic and substantive reviews of databases and drafts prepared by others.
Provides substantive input in the preparation of position papers and reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate.
Contributes to the reporting 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 Section maintain high-quality standards; that data are correct; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Section under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
Prepares inputs for the work programme of the Branch, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, 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.
Recruits staff for the Section taking due account geographical and gender balance and other institutional values.
Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.
Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Section and across organizational boundaries.
Represents the Organization at inter-agency meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive-related issues.
Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or hold programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.

Competencies

Professionalism: Expert knowledge in the areas of trade and trade policy data (tariffs, non-tariff measures, and voluntary standards), and market access for goods. Knowledge about economic quantitative and statistical methods, and data processing. Ability to analyze, interpret and present data in a simple and convincing manner. Advanced knowledge of sustainable development. 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. 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.
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.
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.
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 the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in economics, statistics or related area is required. A first-level university degree in economics, statistics or a related area in combination with two additional years of 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, and application of economic principles in development programmes or a related area is required.
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the compilation and analysis of trade related policy data is required.
Experience in leading data processing teams is desirable.
Experience in applied economic development research is desirable.
Experience in fund raising and implementing technical cooperation projects in the area of trade is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

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