Economic Affairs Officer, P-3

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The Economics Affairs Officer reports to Coordinator at the Sustainable Development and Disaster Unit. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the five regional Commissions of the United Nations. It was founded in 1948 with the purpose of contributing to the region’s economic and social development. Its mission includes the design, monitoring and evaluation of public policies and the provision of advisory services, expertise and training to Governments, as well as support for regional and international cooperation and coordination activities.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the duties of an Economic Affairs Officer are likely to fall mainly into one of the three functional areas below.

Economic or sector analysis

• Researches and develops environmental, natural resources and related sustainable development -economic data and other qualitative information necessary for specified recurrent or ad hoc assignments.
• Interprets, applies and, as necessary, adapts natural resources, climate change, disasters and related environment-economic and econometric models to determine trends, patterns and relationships and to analyse the effects of alternative policies and assumptions.
• Researches and drafts specified inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on selected global, regional, national or sector aspects of economic development.
• Identifies and analyses policy proposals made elsewhere relating to assigned topics.
• Researches, prepares required documentation including mission reports and 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 sustainable development issues.
• Researches and prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.

Intergovernmental support

• Researches and 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.

Technical cooperation

• Researches and participates in missions on development issues, disaster assessments, training usually as a member of a team.
• Organizes training seminars for national experts and prepares reports.
• Researches and 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, prepares reports 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 work unit’s services.
• Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in sectors of applied economics, environmental economics, natural resource valuation, climate change and disaster impact assessments. Ability to conduct independent research on applied-economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing sources for data collection. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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.
• TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• 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 additional years of qualifying 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

• 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.
• Working experience in applied or environmental economics, natural resource valuation, climate change and damage and loss assessment is desirable.
• Working experience with Small Island Developing States is desirable.
• 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Spanish is a working language of ECLAC. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of Spanish is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Application instructions

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