Economic Affairs Officer, P-3

UN ESCAP - United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Bangkok, Thailand

Org. Setting and Reporting

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policy oriented research and analysis, normative support and technical assistance and capacity building, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region. This position is located in the Transport Research and Policy Section, in the Transport Division. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Transport Research and Policy Section.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Transport Research and Policy Section, and overall supervision of the Director, Transport Division, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions:

Economic or sector analysis

Develops socio-economic research and compiles qualitative information necessary for recurrent or ad hoc assignments related to emerging issues in transport policy and development in Aisa and the Pacific;
Drafts specified inputs for technical papers and analytical studies including various transport flagship publications on selected regional, sub-regional, national or sector aspects related to transport policy and development;
Identifies and analyses policy proposals related to transport policy and development;
Assists and/or conducts the organization and servicing legislative meetings, expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on transport policy and development issues;
Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff;
Undertakes surveys, designs data collection tools, analyses and interprets responses, identifies problems and prepares conclusions.

Intergovernmental support

Prepares, assists, provides inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies and to the existing and new intergovernmental agreements on transport;
Follows and assists intergovernmental meetings and prepares summary reports;
Prepares inputs to statements by members of the Bureau and Secretariat staff to such meetings;
Assists in the organization of panels, round tables etc. on development issues for intergovernmental processes.

Technical cooperation

Participates in missions on transport policy and transport development issues;
Organizes training seminars for national experts;
Prepares documentation for technical cooperation programmes and projects;
Contributes to the preparation of material for the funding and approval of regional, country or sector technical cooperation projects;
Monitors, supports, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation or capacity building programmes and projects, as relevant to his/her field of work.

General

Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the Section’s services;
Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development. Ability to conduct independent research on transport topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing sources for data collection. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management;
Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable;
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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in transport, economics, management, law, engineering is required. A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in transport development area is required;
Experience in the United Nations Common System or international organizations similar to UN Common System is desirable;
Experience in intergovernmental processes is desirable;
A minimum of one year of work experience in the Asia-Pacific region as demonstrated by living and working in the region outside of home country is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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