PRINCIPAL ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the Executive Secretary in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), based in Geneva, Switzerland. The incumbent will report directly to the Executive Secretary and Under-Secretary-General of UNECE.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: Assists and advises the Executive Secretary on substantive policy issues, strategic initiatives, sustainable development challenges and trends and related processes with an impact on the work of UNECE, by undertaking the following functions: - Prepares reports, policy notes and strategic papers on cross-cutting economic and sustainable development issues in UNECE’s priority areas of work. - Coordinates and oversees the preparation of policy reports of the Executive Secretary for consideration by Member States at sessions of the Commission and its Executive Committee on cross-cutting issues and interdisciplinary activities, such as SDGs, climate change, gender, Financing for Development (FfD), as well as on general socio-economic and related matters not falling within the mandates of substantive Divisions. - Coordinates and oversees the preparation of substantive analytical inputs to the reports of the UN Secretary General for the UN General Assembly, ECOSOC and other intergovernmental fora, including UNECE contributions to global conferences and summits, along with progress reports on UNECE contribution to the implementation of their results. - Leads the preparations for the annual session of the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE region and its follow-up at the global level. - Leads UNECE’s work on the implementation of the reform of the UN development system(UNDS) in the framework of the Regional Collaborative Platform (RCP) - Drafts, contributes to, and oversees the preparation of policy statements and speeches of the Executive Secretary at international conferences and meetings, along with draft policy statements and messages of the UN Secretary-General or the Deputy Secretary-General to such forums and conferences. - Coordinates the substantive preparation of annual reports of UNECE and analytical inputs thereto. - Coordinates and oversees the preparation of Country Profiles, focusing on the socio-economic situation, developments and challenges of UNECE member States, including for the bilateral visits of the Executive Secretary and other high-level UN officials, as required. - Engages actively with other UN Regional Commissions and oversees the preparation of UNECE substantive inputs to joint reports/studies and policy papers on crosscutting and interdisciplinary issues. - Proactively develops and maintains liaison and interaction with other international organizations, civil society representatives, local authorities, regional and national research institutions and think tanks, as well as the academic community with a view to, inter alia, identifying possible synergies, engagement strategies, opportunities for collaboration and joint activities and building and strengthening partnerships. - Follows current economic developments in the UNECE region and in the world economy at large and identifies new or emerging development issues of potential concern to UNECE, particularly those of a regional nature. - Proactively develops policy and strategy for successful implementation of Secretary General strategic initiatives (including, inter alia, women’s economic empowerment and gender mainstreaming, multilingualism, UN 2.0 (including strategic foresight), and disability inclusion. - Provides accountable leadership as Chief of the Sustainable Development and Policy Unit.

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrated ability to assimilate, analyze, and synthesize material across a broad spectrum of economic sectors. Excellent knowledge of socio-economic developments, trends and challenges, along with solid knowledge of policy instruments to address such challenges, in particular in the UNECE region. Proven knowledge of the UN development system and demonstrated knowledge of global and regional intergovernmental processes. Excellent analytical skills and drafting ability. 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. 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. 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 the 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. Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction. Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. 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 that 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 international economics, socio-economic policy development, or related fields is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least fifteen (15) years of relevant experience in the area of international economic relations, socio-economic development or related policy development is required. Five years of experience in provision of policy advice on complex matters is required. A minimum of five years of demonstrated experience in preparing and editing analytical reports, studies, and publication is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat and Russian is a working language of ECE. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 Nov 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral and/or geographical move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral and/or geographical moves in their Candidate Profile (CP) and motivation statement.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.