INTER-REGIONAL ADVISER ON NATIONAL ACCOUNTS AND SUPPORTING ECONOMIC STATISTICS

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Economic Statistics Branch of the Statistics Division (SD), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Inter-regional Adviser (IRA) will work under the direct supervision of the Chief, Economic Statistics Branch, and the overall guidance of the Director, Statistics Division. The Division is mandated to provide leadership / strategic / policy support to developing countries in the area of national accounts and supporting economic statistics. More information on the Statistics Division can be found on: https://unstats.un.org . The services of the IRA aim to ensure the provision of high-level technical expertise, the transfer of knowledge from global entities to Governments on policy-related issues and development strategies and the formulation, assessment or evaluation of projects and programmes. The IRA is a member of DESA’s IRA Network. The services of the IRA need to comply with intergovernmental guidance on the use of the Regular Programme on Technical Cooperation (RPTC), when appropriate, and with strategies and guidance concerning capacity development activities endorsed by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and supported by the Capacity Development Programme Management Office (CDPMO). ResponsibilitiesUnder the direct supervision of the Chief of Branch and the overall guidance of the Director, the incumbent is responsible for the following: Mandatory tasks: • Provides high-level policy advice online and/or through short-term field missions to Governments and other relevant stakeholders in developing countries upon their request on aspects of national accounts and supporting economic statistics and the implementation of the System of National Accounts and related standards for macroeconomic, business, trade and price statistics and economic statistics related SDG indicators. • Monitors, studies and analyzes the trends and best practices on national accounts and supporting economic statistics and prepares policy advisory notes to inform governments as well as feed into the intergovernmental process. • Provides leadership in the design/redesign of national policies and strategies upon requests from developing countries for national accounts and supporting economic statistics and for the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and/or other relevant international norms and standards. • Provides leadership in the design of capacity development programmes, projects and activities at national, regional and global levels and contributes to implementation, monitoring and evaluation as well as reporting on these initiatives. • Provides leadership in the implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels. • Makes substantive contributions to global/regional/sub-regional/national workshops, seminars, colloquia, and other training events, including proposals concerning agenda topics, possible participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.. • Provides leadership in the Department’s resource mobilization strategies, notably as far as extra-budgetary funding is concerned. • Assumes other tasks in the area of expertise and in line with capacity development guidance as requested by the supervisor. Optional tasks (as appropriate): • Develops and updates training materials for the areas covered in capacity development activities for the use by different stakeholders. • Undertakes survey initiatives; guides design of data collection instruments; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions. • Liaises with relevant professional networks and makes relevant external capacity development resources available to DESA. • Establishes and nurtures close relationships with various stakeholders in view of creating partnerships and an active network on the national accounts and supporting economic statistics. • Provides inputs for the normative and advocacy functions of the Division based on the capacity development expertise. Competencies• Professionalism: In general: a) Shows pride in work and achievements; b) demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; c) is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; d) is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; e) shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; d) remains calm in stressful situations. In particular, DESA is looking for staff with the following technical competence: 1) a strong commitment to high-level technical expertise with capacity building in the relevant specialty of national accounts and supporting economic statistics; 2) proven ability in preparing robust project proposals; 3) familiarity with the policies, programmes and activities of potential donors, including member states, UN funds and programmes, global funds, International Financial Institutions etc.; 4) familiarity with concepts and approaches related to capacity development and conversant with Result-based Budgeting/Result-based Management (RBB/RBM) approaches and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) approaches; 5) proven ability to be a broker of knowledge and brokering issues close to DESA normative analytical mandates; 6) proven ability in building partnerships with national institutions and other organizations involved in the development process; 7) proven ability in mobilizing resources; 8) taking responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • Teamwork: a) Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; b) solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; c) places team agenda before personal agenda; d) supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; e) shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. • Planning and Organizing: a) Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; b) identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; c) allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; d) foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; e) monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; f) uses time efficiently. • 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. • Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, mathematics, economics, or related field or related field. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience at the national level or within the UN development system in the development and implementation of national accounts and supporting economic statistics standards is required. A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the compilation and dissemination of national accounts at the national level is required. Experience in international technical cooperation, capacity development, and advisory work in developing countries, preferably in more than one region, is required. Experience in the organization and management of large statistical programmes in a national statistical agency and/or international statistical agency is required. Experience in the development and maintenance of related databases is desirable. Experience in producing written reports on the analysis of economic data and statistics is desirable. Experience in participating and/or conducting methodological work on national accounts is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. 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).