Senior Economic Affairs Officer United Nations -
New York, NY
This position is located in the Development Strategy and Policy Analysis Unit of the Development Policy and Analysis Division (DPAD), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Senior Economics Affairs Officer will report to the Chief of the Development Strategy and Policy Analysis Unit.
Responsibilities
The Senior Economic Affairs Officer is responsible for the following duties:
1. Identifies emerging development issues of potential concern to the international community, particularly those relating to the macroeconomic and structural policy challenges of developing countries, linked to the internationally agreed development goals;
2. Undertakes analysis on key crosscutting policy challenges, including those linked to climate change and conflict;
3. Formulates, organizes and undertakes studies and writes policy briefs on those development issues, identifying corresponding strategies, policies and actions for adoption by the international community;
4. Provides high-level inputs to policy briefs and resolutions for the intergovernmental process;
5. Takes shared responsibility for policy research and reporting, among others for the Department's flagship report World Economic and Social Survey, and commissions economic studies and analyses that cannot be undertaken internally;
6. Conceives, plans and manages expert group meetings and similar consultations that contribute to this work;
7. Prepares speeches for senior staff and makes presentations on development issues for specialist or non-specialist audiences; 8. Represents the Office at international, regional and national meetings on development issues;
8. Initiates and develops links with other UN agencies, academic research networks and development practitioners on issues related to the main tasks;
9. Contributes to the formulation of the medium-term plan, the programme of work and the budget of the Division;
10. Attends to various administrative matters concerning the Division, supervises and gives leadership to the work of other economists in the Division assigned to work with the Principal Officer.
Competencies
Professionalism: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in quantitative and qualitative analysis of economic development policy issues. Ability to conduct independent research on economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Ability to assess economic policies and make recommendations on their implementation. Ability to apply and interpret up-to-date statistical and quantitative techniques for economic analysis. Shows pride in work and in
achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of economic analysis; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, and shows persistence and professionalism when faced with difficult problems or challenges.
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.
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.
MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES
Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. 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.
Judgment/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; makes tough decisions when necessary.
Education
Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in macroeconomics, international economics, development economics or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A Ph.D. in economics or related field is desirable.
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. Experience in the application of principles and concepts of economics in various contexts, especially from a developmental perspective required. At least ten years experience in providing in-depth quantitative and qualitative analysis of a wide range of development issues is required. Experience publishing policy-oriented papers, academic articles and books at the international level is required. Experience in servicing expert group meetings on issues relevant to the position is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of a second official UN language is an advantage.
Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include other assessment methods, including review of publications. Only successful candidates who have passed the first round assessment will be contacted to undergo the second round of assessment (Competency-based interviews).
Special Notice
- Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
- This vacancy is subject to availability of post. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
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.
United Nations - 30+ days ago
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