Senior Economic Affairs Officer

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Policy Analysis and Development Branch of the Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO) in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Financing for Sustainable Development Office provides effective secretariat support for sustained follow-up to and implementation of the outcomes of the International Conferences on Financing for Development and the delivery of the means of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. More information can be found at: https://financing.desa.un.org/. The Senior Economic Affairs Officer reports to the Chief of the Policy Analysis and Development Branch of the Financing for Development Office. ResponsibilitiesUnder the supervision of the Chief of Policy Analysis and Development Branch of the Financing for Development Office, the Senior Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Economic or sectoral analysis: • Leads or participates in the formulation, organization and management of mandated programmes of economic analysis on financing for sustainable development issues with a particular focus on public financial management, international tax cooperation, and public expenditure, and the formulation of possible economic strategies, policies and actions for adoption by the international community. • Leads or participates in the identification of new or emerging development issues of potential concern to the international community on financing for sustainable development, with a particular focus on public financial management, international tax cooperation and public expenditure, particularly those of a regional or global nature, and designs and develops programmes to address them. • Supervises a team of staff economists undertaking this work. • Commissions economic studies and analyses that cannot be undertaken internally. • Conceives, plans and manages expert group meetings, seminars and similar consultations that contribute to the finalization of the work unit’s outputs. • Finalizes reports on development for issuance by the United Nations. • Prepares speeches for senior staff and makes presentations on economic issues for specialist or non-specialist audiences. Intergovernmental support: • Provides direct substantive support on development issues to intergovernmental bodies (such as the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, and the intergovernmental committee for the purpose of drafting terms for reference for a United Nations framework convention on international tax cooperation by offering strategic advice, giving technical guidance and assisting in developing a consensus. • Manages the work unit’s contribution to the preparation and management of meetings of the intergovernmental committee. • Represents FSDO at international, regional and national meetings on financing for sustainable development issues. 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 the suitability, validity, and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Ability to develop economic policies and make recommendations on their implementation. 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. • 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 an 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. • 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 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. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of ten 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 policy analysis on fiscal policy issues and international tax cooperation is required. At least five years of experience in research and policy analysis on global or regional financing for sustainable development policies is desirable. Experience in publications on global or regional financing for sustainable development policies is desirable. Experience servicing intergovernmental negotiations or supporting intergovernmental discussions is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French 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).