CHIEF OF SERVICE, ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Contract

This is a D-1 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 15 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 237,851 USD and 300,143 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 D-1 Chief of Service, Economic Affairs, leads the Sustainable Energy Division of the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Under the direct supervision of the Executive Secretary of ECE the incumbent provides vision and leadership for ECE’s Sustainable Energy sub-programme, and is accountable for: i) efficient servicing of the Committee on Sustainable Energy and its subsidiary bodies; ii) facilitating dialogue on sustainable energy issues, including outreach and engagement; iii) preparing studies and deploying normative instruments; and iv) managing the work and staff of the Division.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

- Manages the substantive work of the Sustainable Energy Division, ensuring activities are carried out in a timely fashion to a high standard of quality, maintaining high political relevance, visibility and cost effectiveness. Monitors and evaluates the performance of the sub-programme and contributes to achievement of commitments in the head of department’s compact with the Secretary-General.

- Supports meetings of the Committee on Sustainable Energy, its subsidiary bodies, and other ECE bodies with activities related to sustainable energy and deliver expected outcomes. Ensures these meetings are coordinated with meetings of other organizations. Maintains close working relations with representatives of member States.

- Keeps abreast of major energy developments in the ECE region with a view to identifying implications and opportunities for international cooperation. Promotes and contributes to development, deployment, and monitoring of normative instruments in sustainable energy.

- Stimulates cross-sectoral activities linking issues and policies across energy, environment, transport, health, urban development, and other relevant and related policy areas, including on such cross-cutting themes as circular economy and sustainable use of natural resources. Promotes cooperation and cross-cutting projects and coordinates work within the Division, among the ECE Divisions, with other Departments and Organizations of the UN system, and outside the UN System.

- Promotes cooperation among ECE governments and other stakeholders in the field of sustainable energy and related policy areas, involving the private sector, business organizations, local government organizations, and NGOs. Promotes the awareness among, and canvasses the active support of, stakeholders on the sustainable energy sub-programme.

- Mobilizes extra-budgetary and other resources and delivers technical cooperation projects on sustainable energy and related policy areas in cooperation with all relevant partners. Disseminates results and lessons learned.

- Directs and supervises the work of the division’s staff, performing all relevant functions, including preparation of budgets and implementation reports, recruitment and performance management, and fundraising; contributes to ensuring achievement of ECE budgetary and human resource management goals. Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Division; promotes mobility, dialogue and enrichment of skills across the different ECE divisions, in the UN system at large, and beyond.

Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of energy systems and policies, market players and trends, energy economics, and the social and environmental dimensions of energy. Ability to integrate and synthesize alternative perspectives into common objectives and outcomes. 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.

Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

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 Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in engineering, energy economics, sustainable energy, architecture, economics, or other related field is required. A first-level university degree in one of the fields of study specified above in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Work Experience At least 15 years’ of progressively responsible experience in dealing with issues and policy matters in the area of sustainable energy with a proven record of delivering results is required. Experience managing multi-cultural teams is required. At least 5 years of senior level international experience is required. Experience managing and supporting inter-governmental processes in the area of sustainable energy or related policy areas is desirable. Experience working on sustainable energy matters in the UNECE region is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; knowledge of Russian or French is desirable.

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

Special Notice For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 April 2021, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.

Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.