ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OFFICER (Temporary Job Opening)

This position is located in the Innovation and Research Coordination Unit in the Office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Economic Affairs Officer reports to the Chief of the Unit.

Within delegated authority, the duties of the Economic Affairs Officer include the following: Economic or sector analysis

• Develops socio-economic databases and qualitative information necessary to monitor the consequences of economic shocks with global or regional implications on trade, investment, finance and sustainable development
• 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.
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.

Intergovernmental support

• Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies.
• Follows interagency and intergovernmental meetings and prepares summary reports.
• Prepares inputs to statements for staff participation to such meetings.

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.

• Professionalism: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development. Ability to conduct independent research on the effects of shocks with regional or global implications on trade, investment, finance and sustainable development, 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.
• 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 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 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 with quantitative research on trade policy, and development is desirable. Experience working with trade databases and quantitative analysis using Stata and R is desirable. Experience in producing analysis on reports on the effects of economic shocks with regional or global implications on trade and development is desirable. Experience working in international organization is desirable. Experience on research communication, including data visualization is desirable.

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

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