Economic Affairs Officer, P4

Economic Affairs Officer, P4

UN ECLAC - Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

Santiago, Chile

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the International Trade and Integration Division. This position is usually focused on a sub-specialty such as macroeconomics, development economics, international economics (trade, finance and investment), public economics, environmental economics, gender economics or a specific economic sector or sectors. The Economics Affairs Officer reports to the Chief of the International Trade and Integration Division. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the five regional Commissions of the United Nations. It was founded in 1948 with the purpose of contributing to the region's economic and social development. Its mission includes the design, monitoring and evaluation of public policies and the provision of advisory services, expertise and training to Governments, as well as support for regional and international cooperation and coordination activities.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the duties of an Economic Affairs Officer are likely to fall mainly into one of the three functional areas identified below.

Economic or sector analysis:

• Monitors economic developments in a defined area and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the United Nations;
• Designs and conducts studies of selected issues in economic development and draft resulting reports;
• Develops draft policy recommendations pertaining to area of work;
• Formulates proposals for development strategies, policies and measures for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and others;
• Attends international, regional, and national meetings to hold discussions with representatives of other institutions;
• Organizes expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues;
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff;
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Intergovernmental support:

• Provides substantive support on economic issues to intergovernmental bodies (such as the General Assembly, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Economic and Social Council, the Trade and Development Board, the regional commissions or subregional economic integration bodies in LAC);
• Represents organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings.

Technical cooperation:

• Designs and monitors technical cooperation projects;
• Design and undertake in depth cooperation activities with emerging economies;
• Undertakes missions to member states, either alone or as a participant in a diverse team, as part of the Organization’s technical cooperation activities;
• Prepares global, regional, national or sector analyses that provide a basis for advising national governments on economic development issues;
• Conducts training seminars and workshops for government officials and others;
• Formulates technical modalities for the evaluation of individual technical cooperation projects.

General:

• Supports junior staff, reviewing their work and providing feedback;
• Participates in intra- and inter-Departmental undertakings of broader concern to represent the views or interests of the organizational unit;
• Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s service;
• Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development, in particular in relation to international trade and investment. Ability to conduct independent research on economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Ability to identify and develop sources for data collection. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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;
• 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) in economics, international trade or related field is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

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

Work Experience

• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area is required. Three years of experience dealing with international trade and integration in Latin America and the Caribbean is required. Experience working in an international organization is desirable. Experience in international negotiations is desirable. Experience in institutional relationship with national governments, NGOs and international organizations and bodies is desirable. 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat and Spanish is a working language of ECLAC. For the position advertised, fluency in both English and Spanish is required; Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

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