Chief, Trading System, Services and Creative Economy Branch (Economic Affairs)

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Division on International Trade and Commodities (DITC) of the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Geneva. The Chief of the Trading System, Services and Creative Economy Branch reports to the Director of DITC. The future Chief of the Trading System, Services and Creative Economy Branch (TSCB) formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Branch. Oversees the management of activities undertaken by TSCB in the areas of international trading system, multilateral and regional trade negotiations involving developing countries; ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the Branch, within UNCTAD and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegate authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: • Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of TSCB. Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units under the Branch and by other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system; provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others. • Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. • Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports. • Maintains effective relations with Member States (Geneva-based Missions and capitals) in order to identify their specific needs in the area of trade negotiations and systemic issues and provide policy and legal advice in that regard. • Oversees the Branch’s provision of strategic advice, technical guidance and assistance in developing a consensus on development 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 and the subsidiary bodies of each). • Ensures that the outputs produced by the Branch maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. • Ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. • Assists the Director in preparing the work programme of the Branch, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. • Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Branch, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance, interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting. • Recruits staff, taking due account of gender and geographical balance. • Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision. • Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Division and across organizational boundaries. • Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars. • Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. • Represents the Division at international, regional or national meetings. Competencies• Professionalism: In-depth knowledge and understanding of: (i) systemic, economic and legal issues in international trade and the interface between trade and development in International Trade and Policy and (ii) developing countries' trade policies and negotiation strategies at national, regional or multilateral level. Strong research analytical capabilities. In depth knowledge of current issues at the World Trade Organization (WTO), regional integration processes, including South-South trade. Ability to effectively engage with member States to identify their needs and respond accordingly to the needs articulated. Ability to build consensus. Demonstrates expertise in the design, development, and delivery of training programs and courses aimed at building capacity in trade policy and related disciplines. Ability to prepare, produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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. • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. • Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. • Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. • Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary. EducationAn advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in economics, public administration, law, social sciences or related fields 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 QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in international economics and development or related field is required. Experience in the management of financial and human resources of a programme of significant size is required. Eight years of experience in international trade is desirable. Experience building consensus in the context of multilateral negotiations is desirable. Experience leading research teams on economic trade issues is desirable. Experience leading capacity building and technical assistance programmes on economic development is desirable. Experience in fund raising and establishing partnerships is desirable. Experience developing training courses for public officials in trade policy and trade-related areas is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Arabic or Spanish or Russian or Chinese (Mandarin) is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).