CHIEF OF SECTION, ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Contract

This is a P-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 204,886 USD and 256,769 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Trade Facilitation Section (TFS) of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Division (ECTD) of the Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) based in Geneva Switzerland.

The incumbent reports directly to the D1, Chief of Service.

The incumbent manages UNECE’s Trade Facilitation Section, notably its activities in international policy dialogue, normative and analytical work, capacity-building, and the sharing of best practices and lessons learned in the areas of trade facilitation and e-business.

This position is temporarily available for an initial period of three months with possibility of extension.

Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority, the P5, Chief of Section, will be responsible for the following:

• Provides policy guidance to the D1, Chief of Service, on conceptual strategy development and management of the implementation of overall strategies and intra and inter-divisional/departmental policies and procedures in the areas of trade facilitation and e-business for sustainable development, • Leads or participates in the identification of new or emerging development issues of potential concern, particularly for countries with economies in transition. • Plans and oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Trade Facilitation Section; ensures that substantive work programmes and programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion, coordinating diverse projects in the Trade Facilitation Section and in liaison with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors, and agencies, as needed. • Manages, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Trade Facilitation Section. Co-ordinates the work carried out by the Section; commissions economic studies and analyses that cannot be undertaken internally; provides programmatic and substantive reviews of drafts prepared by others; finalizes documents, including those for submission to the serviced intergovernmental bodies. • Provides substantive input in the preparation of position papers and reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. • Contributes to the reporting to intergovernmental bodies on programme performance and on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and annual reports. • Develops and maintains relations with senior officials of member governments and ensures a response to requests for advice or assistance on issues related to trade facilitation and electronic business; negotiates with donor and recipient governments on technical assistance programmes and projects; leads and participates substantively in technical cooperation missions. • Ensures that the outputs produced by the Trade Facilitation Section maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective, and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Trade Facilitation Section meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. • Prepares inputs for the work programme of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Division, determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. • Carries out programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Trade Facilitation Section, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance, interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates. • Recruits staff for the Trade Facilitation Section taking due account geographical and gender balance and other institutional priorities. • Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision. • Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Trade Facilitation Section and across organizational boundaries. • Represents the Organization at inter-agency meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive-related issues. • Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic and substantive expertise on issues related to trade facilitation and e-business, prepares speeches for senior staff and makes presentations on economic issues related to trade facilitation and electronic business for different audiences, or hold programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of and ability to apply theories related to international trade, particularly trade facilitation and e-business, and sustainable development, and with respect to new and emerging cross-cutting issues, such as the circular economy, the digital and green transformation and gender; knowledge of the particular trade-related development challenges of countries with economies in transition; knowledge of the role of standards, and new and emerging issues related to standardization, as they arise in the trade and development context. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to develop economic policies and make recommendations on the implementation. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or related field is required. A first-level university degree in the specified fields of study in combination with an additional two years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area is required.

Out of these, at least five (5) years of experience in international trade or trade facilitation, and related regulatory and policy frameworks is required.

Experience in the organization of intergovernmental/normative and expert meetings is desirable.

Experience in capacity building and technical cooperation on trade-related issues is desirable.

Experience with economies in transition is desirable.

Experience in fundraising and building partnerships 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 of Russian is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 Oct 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

• This position is temporarily available for an initial period of three (3) months with possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.