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ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OFFICER [Temporary]

Geneva

  • Organization: UNCTAD - United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
  • Location: Geneva
  • Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Economics
    • Economic
    • Social and Development
    • Economic Affairs (and Sustainable Development)
  • Closing Date: Closed

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Commodities Branch, Commodity Research and Analysis Section, Division on International Trade and Commodities, of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Economic Affairs Officer will report to the Chief of Commodity Research and Analysis Section.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the duties of the Economic Affairs Officer will include:

Economic or sector analysis
•Compiles socio-economic databases and qualitative information necessary for specified recurrent or ad hoc assignments.
•Monitors developments in commodity markets (agricultural; minerals, ores and metals; and energy).
•Interprets, applies and, as necessary, adapts statistical and econometric models to determine trends, patterns and relationships and to analyse the effects of alternative policies and assumptions. Conducts research and contributes to the preparation of analytical and policy reports on issues relating to production of and trade in commodities, including research on the interactions between commodities and climate change; and identifies their implications for development.
•Attends international, regional, and national meetings to collect information and to hold discussions with colleagues in other institutions.
•Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues.
•Prepares speeches, presentations, and other inputs for presentation by senior staff.

Intergovernmental support
•Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies.
•Follows intergovernmental meetings and prepares summary reports.
•Prepares inputs to statements by members of the Bureau and Secretariat staff to such meetings.
•Assists in the organization of panels, round tables etc. on development issues for intergovernmental processes.
•Represents UNCTAD to meetings organized by other institutions on subjects relating to the work programme;

General
•Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s services.
•Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM:
Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development, with specific knowledge of issues relating to commodities and development.
Knowledge of the interactions between commodities, climate change, and economic development. Ability to conduct independent research on economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in compiling quantitative and qualitative data relevant for the research. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of issues relating to commodities and development; 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.

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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A 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 is required.
Experience conducting quantitative research as it pertains to commodities is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required;Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Special Notice

This position is initially temporarily available until 29 February 2020. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. A staff member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and above categories on a temporary appointment, and placed on a position authorized for one year or longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the end of his/her current service. This provision does not apply to staff members holding temporary appointments and placed on positions authorized for one year or more in duty stations authorized for peacekeeping operations or special political missions.

United Nations Considerations

According 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.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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 Fee

THE 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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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