Economic Affairs Officer

Org. Setting and ReportingThe position is located in the International Tax and Development Cooperation Branch (ITDCB) of the Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO) of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. 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 work of the branch supporting the work of the United Nations Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters and related policy and capacity support, which is a particular focus of this post. The incumbent reports to the Senior Economic Affairs Officer in ITDCB. More information can be found at: https://financing.desa.un.org ResponsibilitiesUnder the supervision of the Senior Economic Affairs Officer, the Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Economic or sector analysis • Develops socio-economic databases and qualitative information necessary for specified recurrent or ad hoc assignments. • Drafts specified inputs for technical papers and undertake substantive policy analysis of issues related to international taxation and economic development. • Identifies and analyses policy proposals made elsewhere relating to topics on including transfer pricing, base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS), taxation of increasingly digitalized and globalized economy, tax-related illicit financial flows, tax aspects of transitioning from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources and other emerging international tax issues; and prepares relevant reports, background papers and parliamentary documentation for the Secretary- General and for intergovernmental bodies. • Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, panel discussions, round tables, seminars and briefings (in-person and/or virtual) on the topics related to financing for sustainable development, including through administration support, note taking, and report writing. • Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations on topics related to the FSDO process for senior staff of the Secretariat. Intergovernmental support • Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies. • Follows intergovernmental and inter-agency meetings, and inter-agency and prepares summary reports and, if requested, prepares inputs for reports of the intergovernmental bodies. • Prepares inputs to statements by members of the Bureau and Secretariat staff to such meetings. • Assists in the formulation, organization and management of strategies, policies and procedures for keeping under review actions taken by Governments and the major institutional stakeholders involved in various tax issues. General • Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of FSDO's programme of the work. • Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in financing for sustainable development and in the areas of domestic resource mobilization and taxation, in particular; Ability to conduct independent research and in-depth analysis on economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources; Familiarity with issues in international tax policy and administration, including transfer pricing; Familiarity with relevant international taxation developments, including an understanding of the work and role of the United Nations Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters; 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in economics, macroeconomics, accounting, tax law, business administration 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. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA 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 at the national and international levels, involving both analytical and policy development work in the field of international taxation, is required. Experience in negotiation, application or interpretation of bilateral tax treaties in a national authority is required. Experience in intergovernmental processes in the economic and social fields at the multilateral level is desirable. Experience in planning and delivering capacity development activities in developing countries in the area of tax and domestic resource mobilization is desirable. Experience with national tax policy-making is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThe United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31st July 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Angola, Belize, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam,China,Cuba,Germany,Hungary,Indonesia,Israel,Japan,Kuwait,Libya,Malta,Micronesia (Federated States of),Monaco, Oman, Panama ,Paraguay, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Turkmenistan, United States of America. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.