TEAM ASSISTANT

Org. Setting and ReportingThe Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) forms part of the United Nations Secretariat and, like the other regional commissions, operates under the supervision of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. ESCWA comprises 21 Arab countries in Western Asia and North Africa. ESCWA provides a framework for the formulation and harmonization of sectoral policies for member countries, a platform for congress and coordination, a home for expertise and knowledge, and an information observatory. ESCWA activities are coordinated with the divisions and main offices of the Headquarters of the United Nations, specialized agencies, and international and regional organizations, including the League of Arab States and its subsidiary bodies, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. This position is in Cluster 3: 'Shared Economic Prosperity' of ESCWA. Cluster 3 acts as a pioneer and multi-stakeholder regional platform for deliberation, consensus-building, peer learning, and policy solutions on inclusive fiscal policy, public finance management, illicit financial flows, and trade development, to achieve a basic standard of living for all people in the Arab region through sustained and integrated economic development. Cluster 3 also supports member States in complying with the commitments made in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. The Team Assistant reports to the Senior Economic Affairs Officer under the overall direction of the Cluster Leader, Shared Economic Prosperity. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Team Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: • Performs a wide range of research and office functions. • Responds or drafts responses to routine correspondence and other communications with the relevant ministry in Saudi Arabia, Consultant and Trade experts use a standard word processing package to produce a wide variety of large, complex documents and reports on international trade issues. • Carries out consistent, accurate research for supporting Saudi Arabia on issues related to international trade and regional integration, compiles and organizes information and reference materials from various sources for reports, work plans, studies, briefings, meetings/conferences related to XB project, etc. Generates a variety of simulation exercises using trade simulations and economic modeling techniques, validates and interprets model outputs, and contributes to technical reports, assessment papers, and policy briefs on trade and economic issues. • Proofreads documents and policy briefs and edits texts for accuracy, grammar, punctuation, and style, and for adherence to established standards for format. • Provides administrative and logistics support to meetings, boards, committees, conferences, etc. • Assists in the maintenance of websites by scanning, converting, and posting a variety of documents onto the site. • Assists in the preparation of presentation materials using appropriate technology/software. • Performs data entry and extraction functions. • Reviews, records, distributes, and/or processes mail and other documents; follows up on impending actions. • Updates and maintains large distribution lists; monitors, prepares and distributes various materials, reports, where possible using electronic formats; handles arrangements for printing and translation as necessary; coordinates courier services, etc. • Performs general administrative tasks and arranges for meetings and other events, reservations, budget follow-up, monitoring, and spending plan etc., (e.g. requisitions, purchase orders, travel requests, contracts, expenditure authorizations, visa applications, etc.). • Maintains files (both paper and electronic) and databases for the work unit. • Assists in providing software support and coordinates with IT and modelling teams to test system robustness, resolve functional and data-related issues, implement enhancements to simulation tools, and improve performance of databases and interfaces • Provides guidance to less experienced staff on general office processes and procedures, computer applications, etc. • Assists with the collection and analysis of global trade and economic data from multiple sources (international databases, national statistics, GTAP…) to ensure accuracy and consistency of the model’s inputs, including the construction and updating of global and regional databases for calibrating the trade model, as well as the preparation of technical presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning, and decision-making. • Assists with visualizations and developing training materials such as user guides and methodological notes to support national teams in using the new trade simulators. • Performs other duties as assigned. Competencies• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of general office and administrative support including administrative policies, processes and procedures. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. • 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. • CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. EducationA high school diploma or equivalent is required. A first-level university degree in economics, finance, or a related field is desirable. The minimum required years of relevant experience is reduced to one (1) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Job - Specific QualificationA first-level university degree in economics, finance, or a related field is desirable. Work ExperienceAt least three (3) years of experience in general office support or a related area is required. At least two (2) years of experience in global trade data analysis is required. At least one (1) year of experience in the use of GTAP and MacMap databases for global and regional trade analysis is desirable. At least two (2) years of experience with Global CGE modeling software (GAMS, GEMPACK) and statistical software such as Stata, R, or Python is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, Arabic and English are 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).