Economic Affairs Officer, P-3

UN DESA - United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs

New York, United States

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is in the Development Research Branch (DRB) of the Economic Analysis and Policy Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Division is mandated to provide strategic and policy support to Member States in the areas of economic and development policies. The Economics Affairs Officer reports to the Senior Economic Affairs Officer in the Development Research Branch.

Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Chief of the Development Research Branch, the Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Economic or sector analysis:

Undertakes research and analysis of emerging development issues with global implications to provide inputs for publications that the Branch is assigned to prepare.
Interprets, applies and, as necessary, adapts econometric models to determine trends, patterns, and relationships and to analyse the effects of alternative policies and assumptions.
Identifies and uses appropriate data sources for analytics projects.
Drafts specified inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on selected global, regional, national or sector aspects of economic development.
Identifies and analyses policy proposals made elsewhere relating to assigned topics.
Attends international, regional, and national meetings to collect information and to hold discussions with colleagues in other institutions and keeps abreast with the academic research on the emerging development issues.
Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues.
Prepares various research-based inputs for presentations by senior management.

Intergovernmental support:

Assists in the preparation of inputs for SG reports and reports to intergovernmental bodies.
Follows intergovernmental meetings and prepares summary reports.
Prepares inputs to statements, briefing notes and talking points by Senior Management to such meetings.
Assists in the organization of panels, round tables, side events, etc. on development issues for intergovernmental processes.

Technical cooperation:

Participates in missions on development issues, usually as a member of a team.
Organizes training seminars for national experts.
Contributes to the preparation of material for the approval of regional, country or sector technical cooperation projects.

General:

Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’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 economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Excellent analytical skills with the ability to analyze, model and interpret data in support of decision-making, and convey information succinctly to management. 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.
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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in economics or related field is required. A first-level university degree 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 five 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 preparing publications in development studies commensurate to the years of professional experience is required. Experience in servicing expert group meetings and intergovernmental processes on issues related to the position is desirable. Experience in tools managing version control such as Git is desirable. Experience with databases, especially at the household level, and with programming languages (e.g., Python, R, Stata) 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 another UN official language is an advantage.

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