ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OFFICER (Technical Advisor)

This position is located in the Resources Management Section (RMS) of the Energy, Housing and Land Management Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The incumbent is under the direct supervision of the P5, Chief of Section (RMS) and the general supervision of D1, Director, Energy, Housing and Land Management Division.

Under the direct supervision of the P-5, Chief of Section (RMS), and the general supervision of the Director, Energy, Housing and Land Management Division, the incumbent is responsible for supporting the implementation of the project “Strengthening Circular Resource Systems”; and for carrying out concrete, result-oriented activities that are to be developed under the project with the active participation of UNECE member States, national and international government policymakers and analysts; regional and municipal authorities; regulatory authorities; industries and sectoral associations in construction, metals, technology minerals, EV/battery value chains and recycling; small and medium-sized enterprises in circular value chains; academic and research institutions; non-governmental organisations; professional associations; and other organisations specialising in sustainable resource management and circularity in the resource sector. Within delegated authority, the incumbent will carry out the following duties:

Economic or sector analysis

• Develops databases and qualitative information necessary for development of a new methodology for measuring and reporting the material flows and impacts of resources in a circular economy using the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) and the United Nations Resource Management System (UNRMS);
• Interprets, applies and, as necessary, adapts econometric models to determine trends, patterns and relationships to reduce the demand for virgin materials and the associated carbon emissions in different sectors and contexts.
• Drafts specified inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on resource management.
• Identifies and analyses policy proposals made elsewhere relating to sustainable management resources, with a focus on circularity, closed-loop material flows and material efficiency.
• 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 sustainable resource management and circularity issues.
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff and project partners.

Intergovernmental support

• Identifies governance gaps and provides substantive support to governments of the project’s beneficiary States with the aim to strengthen their national capacities to implement UNRMS for circular, low-carbon and sustainable resource systems using innovative technologies, policies and business models.
• Prepares inputs for reports related to the project to intergovernmental bodies, in particular the Committee on Sustainable Energy and the Expert Group on Resource Management.
• Follows intergovernmental meetings of relevance to the project and prepares summary reports.
• Assists in the organization of panels, round tables etc. on issues related to the project for intergovernmental processes.

Technical cooperation

• Participates in missions on sustainable resource management and circularity issues, usually as a member of a team, as part of the project’s implementation activities.
• Organizes training seminars for national experts and other stakeholders in the project’s beneficiary countries.
• Prepares case studies on integrated resource management, based on UNFC and UNRMS, and other technical documentation for implementation of the project.
• Contributes to the preparation of material for the approval of regional, country or sector technical cooperation projects.

General

• Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the project and the work unit’s services.
• Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns in sustainable resource management and governance and circularity and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

• Professionalism: Deep knowledge of matters related to sustainable resource management, closed-loop material flows and circularity. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
• Planning & 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.
• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, engineering, geology, materials science, environmental science or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in the specified fields of study in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or a related area is required. At least two years of progressively responsible experience in energy and resource management research, analysis, and policy formulation is required. Experience working with UNECE member States is desirable. Experience working with the United Nations Resource Management System (UNRMS) and the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC), including a published case study on UNRMS or UNFC, is desirable. Two years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Russian is desirable.

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