Senior Economic Affairs Officer, P-5

UNCTAD - United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Geneva, Switzerland

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Economic Cooperation and Integration among Developing Countries (ECIDC) Branch, Division on Globalization and Development Strategies (DGDS), in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), in Geneva.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Head of the ECIDC Branch, the incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks:

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 in the area of South-South Cooperation.
Leads or participates, in the area of South-South Cooperation, in the identification of new or emerging development issues of potential concern to the international community, particularly those of a regional nature, and designs and develops programmes to address them.
Commissions economic studies and analyses in this area that cannot be undertaken internally.
Conceives, plans and manages expert group meetings, seminars and similar consultations that contribute to the finalization of the ECIDC Branch’s outputs.
Finalizes reports on development issues in this area for issuance by the United Nations.
Prepares speeches for senior staff and makes presentations on economic issues for specialist or non-specialist audiences in the area of South-South Cooperation.

Intergovernmental support

Provides direct substantive support on South-South Cooperation issues to relevant intergovernmental bodies, as required.
Manages the ECIDC Branch’s contribution to the preparation of meetings of intergovernmental bodies, as required.
Represents the organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings on South-South Cooperation 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 economic issues and policies
Negotiates with donor and recipient governments on technical assistance programmes and projects.
Leads or participates in technical cooperation missions.

Programme support

Contributes to the formulation of the medium-term plan, the programme of work and the budget of the ECIDC Branch and participates in the formulation of the ECIDC Branch’s overall programme of work and other similar endeavours.
Attends to various administrative matters concerning the ECIDC Branch.
Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in areas relating to the economic cooperation and integration among developing countries and sustainable development. Ability to conduct independent research on economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources in these areas. Ability to develop economic policies and make recommendations on their implementation in these areas. 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.
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.
BUILDING TRUST: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidences in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to theirs; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with 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 economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area is required. Experience in the management of technical cooperation projects and/or in South-South Cooperation or related areas is desirable.