ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThe position is located in the Office of the Director, Division on Investment and Enterprise of the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD). ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, and under the supervision of a Senior Economic Affairs Officer, the incumbent will undertake the following: 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 in the area of investment policies for development and investment financing strategies and draft resulting reports. • Develops draft policy recommendations pertaining to investment for development and investment financing strategies. • Formulates proposals for development investment financing 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 investment for development issues. • Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff. 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), and the Investment, Enterprise and Development Commission and subsidiary bodies • Represents organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings. Technical cooperation: • Designs and monitors technical cooperation projects and partnerships on investment financing strategies. • 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 investment for 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 within the Division, at UNCTAD and/or UN level, in 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 investment for development and financing for development and financing for development. Ability to conduct independent research on policies and strategies on investment for development and financing for sustainable development 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. • 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. • 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or related field. A relevant first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA 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. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in research and analysis, capacity-building and consensus-building in the area of investment financing for development is desirable. Experience in designing and managing partnerships in support of investment financing for development is desirable. Experience dealing with sustainable investment in the digital and green sectors is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and French are required. Either Arabic or Spanish or Chinese (Mandarin) or Russian 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).