Economic Affairs Officer, P3

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the Director, Financing for Sustainable Development Office, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The incumbent reports to the Director in the Office of the Director. The Financing for Sustainable Development Office provides effective secretariat support for sustained follow-up to and implementation of the outcomes of the International Conferences on Financing for Development and the delivery of the means of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. For more information, please visit https://financing.desa.un.org/

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Economic or sector analysis:
  • Develops socio-economic databases and qualitative information necessary for specified recurrent or ad hoc assignments.
  • Interprets, applies and, as necessary, adapts econometric models to determine trends, patterns and relationships and to analyse the effects of alternative policies and assumptions.
  • 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.
  • Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues. 
  • Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.
  • Provide substantive and practical support to the Director in implementing the Mission’s mandate;
• Intergovernmental support:
  • Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies.
  • Follows intergovernmental meetings and prepares summary reports.
  • Prepares inputs to statements by members of the Bureau and Secretariat staff to such meetings.
  • Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with Member States, the broader UN family, donors and other national and international partners on coordination and policy matters;
  • Assists in the organization of panels, round tables 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.
  • Prepares documentation for technical cooperation programmes and projects.
  • Contributes to the preparation of material for the approval of regional, country or sector technical cooperation projects.
  • Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects.
  • Assist in formulating, implementing, and reporting on the Office’s work plan, and including through support to planning and budgetary process. Assist with media liaison and manage website improvements;
  • Serve as a focal point on operational and coordination issues as required;
  • Support the organization and management of the Director’s meetings and official missions, prepares written summaries and monitor follow-up activities, as appropriate;
  • Efficiently select, analyze, classify, and store in internal records relating to the overall work related to the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and work with the relevant teams to develop project proposals. Support the Director in convening meetings he is responsible for chairing;
• 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.
  • Manages the work programme of the Office of the Director and supports the Director in ensuring smooth implementation of the work of the Branches.
  • – Supervises the work of general service staff in the Office of the Director
  • Collaborates with the Chiefs of Section to determine and prioritize extra-budgetary resources.
  • Bring to the attention of the Director all matters requiring personal attention, assist in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled, and ensure appropriate follow-up, as directed.
  • Support internal coordination, monitoring and planning of the work of the Office while maintaining a functional relationship with the DESA Office of the Under-Secretary-General, Executive Office, and other United Nations offices and entities.
  • Facilitate the flow of information between the Branches;
  • Coordinate incoming and outgoing correspondence of the Director; drafts correspondence for the Director’s signature.

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. 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 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.

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 managing regular budget and extrabudgetary resources is desirable. Experience working in an Office of Director or similar front office setting is desirable.

Languages

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

Application instructions

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