Chief of Service, Economic Affairs, D1

Chief of Service, Economic Affairs, D1

UNECE – United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

Geneva, Switzerland

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Sustainable Transport Unit of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), based in Geneva, Switzerland. Under the direct supervision of the Executive Secretary (Under-Secretary-General (USG) of the Commission, the incumbent is expected to:

• Formulate, plan, organise, and implement the ECE/Inland Transport Committee (ITC) work programme in the field of transport which involves:
  • further developing transport agreements norms and standards;
  • supporting their implementation;
  • preparing studies on trends, issues and policies related to pan-European transport and, on this basis, supporting the intergovernmental policy dialogue;
  • guiding technical cooperation activities (seminars and other capacity-building activities);
  • resource mobilization in support of the programme of work; and
  • integrating and supporting digitization and innovation across the subprogramme including through data science and emerging technologies.
• Promote and enhance cooperation and coordination of activities in the field of transport and related areas, notably between the Transport Division and the other relevant ECE Divisions – in particular the Economic Cooperation and Trade Division, Sustainable Energy and the Environment Division – and the other regional/global organisations dealing with transport issues, by exploring beneficial partnerships and creating synergies between regional, interregional and global activities in inland transport, incorporating emerging trends such as autonomous and electric vehicles, and strengthening strategic linkages between inland transport and the climate change adaptation and mitigation agendas, in support of ensuring the long-term relevance of ITC/UNECE work in these areas;
• Provide overall direction, management and supervision of the work and staff of the Transport Division.

Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority, the Chief of Service will be responsible for the following duties:

• Formulates, plans, and implements the substantive work programme of the Transport Division. Oversees the strategic planning and communications of the Division. Manages operational activities in a timely fashion, with high quality standards, maintaining high policy relevance and visibility, and being cost-effective and demand driven. Oversees the management of data analytics and digitization of the Division. Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need. Diagnoses barriers, identify enablers, and design and measure the impact of the ECE Transport policies and programmes on its member States, including through strategic foresight and other key UN 2.0 tools;
• Directs and supervises the work of Division staff, performing all relevant administrative functions in compliance with applicable organizational frameworks, which includes preparation of budgets, financial management and reporting; implementation of all related oversight body recommendations; human resources management, including adherence to organizational key performance indicators, gender parity at all levels and greater geographical representation; full oversight and management of Divisional IT resources, including websites and apps in compliance with UN OICT policies;
• Actively promotes, supervises, and contributes to studies and identification of best practices, concerning global and regional transport. Develops and monitors the implementation of ECE/ITC norms, conventions, standards and guidelines, and their impact on Member States. Formulates proposals for expanded coordination, cooperation, innovation, digitization and resource mobilization with all relevant stakeholders;
• Plans, prepares, and services meetings of the Inland Transport Committee (ITC), its subsidiary bodies and other intergovernmental or expert bodies of ECE, making sure they respond to Member State requirements, while ensuring that Secretariat servicing of these bodies provides a high level of professional competence and governance. Ensures that these meetings are conducted in a cost-effective and coordinated manner, appropriately aligned with other organizations active in the same domain;
• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff within the Division, fostering professionalism, integrity, teamwork and communication. Promotes, amplifies and reinforces efforts to foster a harmonious workplace ensuring the integrity and dignity of all staff. Commits to addressing potential and actual interpersonal conflicts and conflicts of interest at an early stage, taking proactive steps to support the highest ethical and behaviour standards, and engaging with informal first and other dispute resolution methodologies to diffuse conflicts. Supports mobility, dialogue and enrichment of skills within the Division;
• Plans and manages technical cooperation projects in transport related policy areas in response to requests from programme countries and in cooperation with other relevant stakeholders, linking normative and operational activities to ensure the dissemination of lessons learned;
• Any other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: 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;
• 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable;
• 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 improvement; 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.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in economics, law, international relations, business or public administration, engineering, or related area is required. A first level university degree in the specified fields of study with an additional two years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

• At least 15 years relevant experience in economic affairs or legal affairs or a related area is required;
• Five years of relevant experience in dealing with transport or infrastructure policy matters is required;
• Experience in leadership and management in multicultural settings and coordination of interdisciplinary teams is required;
• Experience in high-level negotiations with senior government representatives, and heads of bilateral or multilateral institutions is desirable;
• Experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable.

Languages

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

Apply Now