Economic Affairs Officer [Temporary]

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 Sustainable Energy Development and Utilization Section, in the Energy Division. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Sustainable Energy Development and Utilization Section.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Sustainable Energy Development and Utilization Section, and overall supervision of the Director, Energy Division, the incumbent is required to support the organization of the Second session of Committee on Energy, which will be convened in late 2019 and to perform the following functions:

Economic or sector analysis:
• Monitors social, economic and environmental developments of the energy sector and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the Energy Division.
• Designs and conducts studies of energy issues in economic development and drafts resulting reports.
• Develops draft policy recommendations pertaining to the implementation of SDG7.
• Formulates documentation and proposals for development strategies, policies and measures for presentation to the Committee on Energy.
• Attends international, regional, and national meetings to hold discussions with representatives of other institutions.
• Organizes expert group meetings and seminars on energy issues.
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.

Intergovernmental support:
• Provides substantive support on economic issues to intergovernmental bodies such as the Commission, the Committee on Energy and ad-hoc meetings.
• Represents Energy Division at international, regional and national meetings.

Technical cooperation:
• Designs and monitors technical cooperation projects on energy connectivity and sustainable energy development.
• Assists in the implementation of initiatives to support member States on SDG7 and connectivity, including the SDG7 Roadmap Toolkit. Undertakes missions to member States, either alone or as a participant in a diverse team, as part of ESCAP’s technical cooperation activities.
• Prepares regional, national or sector analyses that provide a basis for advising national governments on sustainable energy development and energy connectivity.
• Conducts training seminars and workshops for government officials and others.
• Formulates technical modalities for the evaluation of individual technical cooperation projects.

General:
• Supports junior staff, reviewing their work and providing feedback.
• Participates in intra- and inter-Departmental undertakings of broader concern to represent the views or interests of the Energy Division.
• Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s service.;
• Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Professionalism: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development relevant to the energy sector. Ability to conduct independent research on sustainable energy, energy connectivity and economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Ability to identify and develop 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.

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.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, energy, environment, and sustainable development or related field. 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.

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area.

Experience in energy demand and supply modelling, regional energy market policy analysis is desirable. Experience in drafting analytical studies and reports on issues relevant to sustainable energy development in Asia and the Pacific and/or development of methodology on SDG7 implementation scenarios is desirable. Experience within the United Nations Common System or international organization is desirable.

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.

Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

This is a temporary position and will be available for six months initially. If selected, an internal candidate will be on temporary assignment to the post; an external candidate will initially be offered a temporary appointment. Any extension of appointment is subject to satisfactory performance and continued availability of the post.

ESCAP is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality within the Secretariat. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

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.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.

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.