Chief, Competition and Consumer Policies Branch (Economic Affairs), D-1

Chief, Competition and Consumer Policies Branch (Economic Affairs), D-1

UNCTAD – United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Geneva, Switzerland

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Competition and Consumer Policies Branch, in the Division on International Trade and Commodities (DITC) of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. The Chief of the Competition and Consumer Policies Branch will report to the Director of the Division on International Trade and Commodities and will receive the overall guidance of the Deputy Secretary General of UNCTAD.

Responsibilities

• Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Branch under his/her supervision. Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Branch, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the Division and Department and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate.
• Leads, supervises, and carries out the work programme of the Branch under his/her responsibility. Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units under the Branch and by other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system.
• Provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others.
• Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly, and other policy-making organs, as appropriate.
• Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.
• Ensures that the outputs produced by the Branch maintain high-quality standards; and that reports are clear, objective, and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
• Assists the Director in preparing the work programme of the Branch, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
• Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Branch, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
• Recruits staff, taking due account of gender and geographical balance.
• Manages, guides, develops, and trains staff under his/her supervision.
• Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Branch and across organizational boundaries.
• Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues.
• Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars.
• Participates in international, regional, or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
• Represents the Division at international, regional, or national meetings.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge in the field of competition and consumer policies at national, regional and international levels. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues relating to competition and consumer laws and policies and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to supervise and implement capacity-building programmes on competition and consumer policies. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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.
• Planning & 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.
• 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.
• Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, law, social sciences or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in the field of competition or consumer protection of which 10 years in formulating policies and legal instruments related to competition or consumer protection laws and policies is required.
• Proven experience in supporting intergovernmental bodies and working with developing countries is required.
• A proven track record in designing and leading technical and capacity building assistance in the fields of competition or consumer policies at country, regional and international levels is desirable.
• Carrying out in-depth analysis in competition or consumer policy fields, as evidenced by publications, is desirable.
• Relevant experience in leading a professional team is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

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