Senior Economic Affairs Officer

The position is located in the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UNOHRLLS). The Office is mandated to mobilize and coordinate international support and resources for the effective implementation of the Programmes of Action for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, enhance its monitoring and follow-up and raise awareness and advocate with respect to their special needs. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Policy Development and Coordination, Monitoring and Reporting Service, under the overall guidance of the Director. 

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following: Economic or sectoral analysis:

• Leads or participates in the formulation, organization and management of mandated programmes of economic analysis and the formulation of possible economic strategies, policies and actions, including flagship reports, analytical papers, and policy briefs related to the priorities of Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States for adoption by the international community.
• Leads or participates in the identification of new or emerging development issues of potential concern to the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States particularly those of a regional or global nature, and designs and develops programmes to address them.
• Supervises a team of staff economists and statisticians undertaking this work.
• Commissions economic studies and analyses that cannot be undertaken internally.
• Conceives, plans and manages expert group meetings, seminars and similar consultations that contribute to the monitoring of the implementation of Programmes of Action for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.
• Finalizes reports on development for issuance by the United Nations.
• Prepares speeches for senior staff and makes presentations on economic issues for specialist or non-specialist audiences. Intergovernmental support:
• Provides direct substantive support on development issues to intergovernmental bodies such as the General Assembly, and the Economic and Social Council, by offering strategic advice, giving technical guidance and assisting in developing a consensus.
• Manages the work unit’s contribution to the preparation and management of meetings of intergovernmental bodies.
• Represents the organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings on development issues.

Programme support:

• Contributes to the formulation of the medium-term plan, the programme of work and the budget of the unit and participate in the formulation of the organization’s overall programme of work and other similar endeavours.
• Attends to various administrative matters concerning the larger organizational branch.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage. Phd in economics is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles and econometric analysis in development programmes or related area is required. Experience in data analytics, modelling, econometrics, or related area is required. At least five years of experience in quantitative research in economic development is desirable. Experience working with international organizations as well as intergovernmental process is desirable. Experience in analysing sustainable development challenges of Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, Small Island Developing States and providing related policy advice is desirable. Experience in preparation of speeches for senior staff on economic issues for specialist or non-specialist audiences is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this post fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/231473?language=en