Chief, Entreprise Branch (Economic Affairs)

The position is located in the Division on Investment and Enterprise of the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Head of the Enterprise Branch reports to the Director of the Division on Investment and Enterprise.

The Head of the Enterprise Branch formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Branch; oversees the management of activities undertaken by it; ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and; coordinates work in the different areas both within the Division and Department, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate. S/he will be performing the following duties:

• Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Enterprise Branch under his/her responsibility. Coordinates the work carried out by different work units under the Branch (sustainability, accounting and corporate governance, entrepreneurship and business facilitation) and by other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system; provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others.
• Coordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly, the Trade and Development Board, the Commission on Investment and Enterprise and the Intergovernmental Working Group on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting and other policy-making organs, as appropriate.
• Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues related to sustainability issues, accounting, entrepreneurship and the facilitation of business, as appropriate.
• Ensures that the outputs produced by the Enterprise Branch maintains high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
• Assists the Director in preparing the work programme of the Division, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
• Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Enterprise Branch, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.
• Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Branch and across organizational boundaries.
• Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on sustainability, accounting and entrepreneurship issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars.
• Represents in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on sustainability, accounting, entrepreneurship and business facilitation issues, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.

• Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised, related to the mobilization of resources for sustainable development, including accounting and corporate governance, as well as entrepreneurship and business facilitation. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Ability to mobilize support from a wide range of partners and stakeholders and to build and maintain partnerships. 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.
• 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.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
• 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.
• Building Trust: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to others; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Specialization in business management or enterprise development is desirable.

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles and programme management in the area of enterprise development, the development of private sector or related fields is required. Prior experience in sustainable resource mobilization is required. Experience in leading the management of programmes and their teams in an international organisation is desirable. Experience in facilitating intergovernmental or legislative processes in an international organization is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Spanish or Chinese (Mandarin) or Arabic or Russian is desirable.

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