Economic Affairs Officer, P4

Economic Affairs Officer, P4

UN ESCAP - United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

New Delhi, India

Org. Setting and Reporting

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policy-oriented research and analysis, normative support and technical assistance and capacity building, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

The position is located in the Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia (SOSSWA) in New Delhi, which serves 10 countries within the subregion, namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Türkiye.

The incumbent reports to the Senior Economic Affairs Officer and Deputy Head.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Economic Affairs Officer and Deputy Head, and overall supervision of the Head, ESCAP Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions:

Economic or sector analysis:

• Monitors issues related to sustainable development and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the United Nations in South and South-West Asia;
• Designs and conducts studies of selected issues in the subregion relating to sustainable development, including in climate action, environment, energy, transport, and ICT sector, integrating cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, leaving no-one behind and partnerships;
• Develops draft policy recommendations pertaining to various areas of sustainable development;
• Formulates proposals for development strategies, policies and measures for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and others, including the South and South-West Asia Sustainable Development Forum;
• Attends international, regional, subregional and national meetings to hold discussions with representatives of government, UN entities, subregional intergovernmental organizations, academic institutes, private sector and civil society;
• Organizes expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues;
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff;
• Collaborates with Divisions and Regional Institutions in ESCAP and UN Country Teams in undertaking abovementioned tasks.

Intergovernmental support:

• Provides substantive support on sustainable development issues to intergovernmental bodies, including the South and South-West Asia Sustainable Development Forum;
• Represents SOSSWA at international, regional and national meetings.

Technical cooperation:

• Designs and monitors technical cooperation projects;
• 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 sustainable 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: Knowledge of economic development and in particular on cross-border connectivity and economic integration development programme. Ability to identify issues, formulate options and make conclusions and recommendations. 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 the 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.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or related field is required;
• A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in research and analysis, policy formulation, technical cooperation and application of sustainable development principles in policies and programmes is required;
• Working experience in the subregion, outside one’s own country, is desirable;
• Experience in establishing partnerships with key stakeholders, including academic institutions, civil society and/or the private sector is desirable;
• Experience in the United Nations Common System or international organizations is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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