Economic Affairs Officer, P-3

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Trading Systems, Services and Creative Economy Branch of the Division on International Trade and Commodities at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Economics Affairs Officer will report to the Chief of the Trading Systems, Services and Creative Economy Branch.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Economic Affairs Officer will perform the following duties:

Economic or sector analysis

• Monitors, assesses and reports on persistent and emerging issues in international trade in goods, services and creative economy, and their policy implications for sustainable development. Interprets, applies and, as necessary, adapts econometric models to determine trends, patterns and relationships and to analyse the effects of alternative policies and assumptions.
• Drafts specified inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on selected global, regional, national or sector aspects of international trade and sustainable development.
• Identifies and analyses policy proposals made elsewhere relating to trading systems, services and creative economy.
• Attends international, regional, and national meetings to collect information and to hold discussions with colleagues in other institutions.
• Conducts economic data analysis and visualization, providing periodic statistical updates on trade in goods and services, including creative goods and services, to inform policy proposals.
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.

Intergovernmental support

• Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies such as the General Assembly, Trade and Development Board, Trade and Development Commission and expert meetings.
• 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 and round tables for intergovernmental processes.

Technical cooperation

• Participates in technical cooperation activities and missions, usually as a member of a team, on issues pertaining to trading systems, services and creative economy. • Organizes training seminars for government officials and stakeholders.
• Prepares documentation for technical cooperation programmes and projects.
• Contributes to the preparation of material for the approval of regional, country or sector technical cooperation projects.
• Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects.

General 

• Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the Branch`s goals.
• Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts to the analysis of persistent and emerging issues of international trade in goods, services and creative economy from a sustainable development perspective. Ability to conduct independent research on economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Proficiency in cutting-edge data analysis and visualization methodologies. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• 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.
• 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.

Education

An advanced 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 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. A minimum of three years of experience in conducting quantitative analysis on trade in goods, services or creative economy for publication for international audience is desirable. Experience in employing advanced techniques in data analysis, visualization and manipulation, is desirable. Experience in providing technical assistance to government officials on policy formulation and implementation of sustainable development policy relevant to trade in goods, services or creative economy is desirable.

Languages

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

Application instructions

Please be sure to indicate you saw this position on tendersglobal.net