Economic Affairs Officer

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 74,649 USD and 97,747 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 mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote inclusive economic, social and environmental development and support regional cooperation and integration in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat, is to support its membership, through its analytical, normative and technical cooperation, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

The Subregional Office for North and Central Asia (SONCA) is based in Almaty, Kazakhstan and covers Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as Afghanistan as member of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA).

The Economic Affairs Officer is under the direct supervision of the Chief, Financing for Development Section and the overall supervision of the Director of Macroeconomic Policy and Financing for Development Division. Since the position is based in Almaty, the incumbent will also work closely with the Head of the Subregional Office for North and Central Asia.

Responsibilities This position provides support to the implementation of macroeconomic reforms and sustainable development policies. The position also contributes to activities under SPECA, a joint programme of ESCAP and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) covering Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as Afghanistan and Azerbaijan. The Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following functions:

Economic or sector analysis - Monitors and conducts research in economic and financial development and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern related to sustainable development in countries of North and Central Asia. - Conducts socio-economic analyses based on quantitative data, develops databases and compiles qualitative information necessary for specified recurrent or ad hoc assignments, including the Financing for Development Financing series. - 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, analytical studies and documents for intergovernmental and expert meetings on selected global, regional, national or sector aspects of economic development, especially on financing for development. - Identifies and analyses policy proposals for promotion of regional connectivity among countries of North and Central Asia. - Attends international, regional, and national meetings to collect information and to hold discussions with colleagues in other institutions. - Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.

Intergovernmental support - Follows intergovernmental meetings, including the SPECA Governing Board and Economic Forum, 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 economic development issues for intergovernmental processes.

Technical cooperation - Participates in missions on development issues, usually as a member of a team. - Organizes training seminars for national experts. - Contributes to the preparation of material for the approval of regional, country or sector technical cooperation projects as well as contributes to activities related to macroeconomic policy and financing for development under SPECA. - Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects in the least developed and landlocked countries of the subregion.

General - Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative and programmatic tasks necessary for the final delivery of divisional and subregional office’s services. - Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally, including through remote learning.

Competencies - PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development. Ability to conduct independent research on economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing sources for data collection. 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 is required. A recognized 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, project management, and the application of economic principles in development programmes or related areas is required.

  Experience in statistical data analysis and data management is desirable.

  Experience in financing for development related research is desirable.

  Languages English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Russian is desirable.

  Assessment Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

  Special Notice Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. ESCAP is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality within the Secretariat. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

This is a temporary position for the initial period of four months. If selected, an internal candidate will be on temporary assignment to the post; an external candidate will initially be offered a temporary appointment. Any extension of appointment is subject to satisfactory performance and continued availability of the post.

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.