Economic Affairs Officer, P-4
UN DESA - United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
New York, United States
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the International Tax and Development Cooperation Branch (ITDCB) of the Financing for Sustainable Development Office of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The incumbent reports to the Senior Economic Affairs Officer. The FSDO works to advance policy and action on financing for sustainable development to support Member States and other stakeholders in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development: by providing thought leadership and agenda-shaping, promoting multi- stakeholder dialogue, identifying policy options and best practices, and offering strategic advice and support for capacity development in key areas; this includes the branch workstream on international development cooperation and its role as Secretariat of the Development Cooperation Forum (DCF). A core function of the Economic and Social Council, the DCF reviews the latest trends, progress and emerging issues in international development cooperation, and encourages coherence and coordination across diverse actors and activities.
Responsibilities
Under the general supervision of the Senior Economic Affairs Officer of the International Tax and Development Cooperation Branch, the Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- Reviews, monitors and produces analysis and provides advice on trends in international development cooperation policy, identifying emerging trends and issues, including in relation to adaptation of institutions and policies in support of priorities of developing countries, the mobilization and optimal use of all means of implementation, and the quality, effectiveness and impact of development cooperation for sustainable development; - Designs and conducts studies and surveys of selected issues on development cooperation related issues;
- Drafts reports to the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council and supports Member States in their consultations and deliberations on these issues;
- Formulates proposals for development strategies, policies and measures for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and others;
- Organizes formal and informal conferences, symposiums, panels, roundtables, interagency meetings, and expert group meetings on international development cooperation at the global, regional and national levels;
- Initiates and helps coordinate strategic communications, outreach and resource mobilization activities related to the work of the Unit, Branch and Office. Intergovernmental support
- Represents the Branch or Office in interdepartmental and inter-agency meetings, working groups and task forces and participate in international, regional and country level meetings and initiatives as appropriate, including to support wider and more effective uptake of DCF policy guidance on international development cooperation;
- Follows meetings of ECOSOC and the General Assembly on development cooperation and prepares summary reports;
- Drafts statements to be made by members of the Bureau of intergovernmental bodies and senior Secretariat staff to such meetings.
Technical cooperation:
- Designs, implements and monitors technical cooperation and capacity development projects;
- Undertakes missions to member states, either alone or as a participant in a diverse team, as part of the Organization's technical cooperation and capacity development activities
- Prepares global, regional, national or sector analyses that provide a basis for advising national governments on economic development issues;
- Formulates technical modalities for the evaluation of individual technical cooperation projects;
- Initiates and strengthens partnerships within the UN system to scale up scope and enhance impact of 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 Unit, Branch and Office.
- Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the Office'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. 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. 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in economics or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- A minimum of 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. Experience in research and drafting of analytical reports on international development cooperation is required. Experience in servicing intergovernmental bodies is desirable. Experience in implementing UN capacity development projects is desirable. Experience within an International Organization 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 the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
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