Economic Affairs Officer

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 128,723 USD and 165,961 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 sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policy oriented research and analysis, normative support and technical assistance and capacity building, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

The main goal of the Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Division (IDD) is to strengthen information and communications technology (ICT) connectivity and enhance regional cooperation and capacity with the goals of improved management of disaster risk reduction and the associated socioeconomic risks, towards inclusive and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific.

Located in the Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Division (IDD, the ICT and Development Section (IDS) conducts socioeconomic analytical research on advances in ICT and emerging trends, provides capacity building to member States and promotes regional policy dialogue and cooperation with provision of policy options and recommendations for addressing the digital divide and improving digital connectivity in support of inclusive and resilient development.

This position is located in the ICT and Development Section (IDS), Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Division (IDD). The incumbent reports to the Chief of ICT and Development Section.

Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the Chief of ICT and Development Section, and overall supervision of the Director of Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Division, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions:

Socio-economic or cross-sector analysis: - Monitors developments in digital technologies, their socio-economic and developmental impacts and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the United Nations and member States. - Designs and conducts analytical studies on digital connectivity, digital transformation and digital data and drafts resulting reports. - Interprets and applies results of econometric modelling to analysis of developmental and economic prospects and policies. - Develops draft policy recommendations pertaining to digital connectivity. - Formulates proposals for development strategies, policies and measures for presentation to member States, intergovernmental bodies and others. - Organizes workshops, expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on digital cooperation issues. - Prepares draft work programme, letters, speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.

Intergovernmental support: - Provides substantive support on ICT-related development and socio-economic development issues to intergovernmental bodies and events, such as the ESCAP Commission and the Committee on Information and Communications Technology, Science, Technology and Innovation. - Represents ESCAP at international, regional and national meetings and holds discussions with representatives of other institutions.

Technical cooperation: - Designs and monitors project proposals and project implementation for technical cooperation and support to member States. - Undertakes missions to member States, either alone or as a participant in a diverse team, as part of ESCAP’s technical cooperation activities. - Conducts and organizes training seminars and workshops for government officials of member States and others to share key findings of technical cooperation.

General: - Supports junior staff, reviewing their work and providing feedback, and supports the Chief of the Section to manage the Section’s work including the role of officer-in-charge upon request. - Participates in intra- and inter-divisional undertakings of broader concern to represent the views or interests of ESCAP. - Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the division’s service. - Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Competencies Professionalism: Ability to apply theories and concepts to ICT and socio-economic development for sustainable development. Ability to conduct independent research on socio-economic topics, trends and patterns, emerging challenges and validity and accuracy of data management. Ability to identify and develop sources for data collection and 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.

Planning & 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.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in information and communications technology, economics, social science or related field.

Ph.D. degree in the above fields is desirable.

A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in socio-economic research and analysis on developmental trends is required. Experience in the application of economic principles for analysis and research, policy formulation and policy recommendations on digital technologies is required. Experience in development and management of project proposals and programmes is required. Experience in organizing intergovernmental events is required. Experience in preparation of socio-economic policy documentations on digital technology is required. Demonstrated experience of regional partnerships and cooperation with multi-organizations and donor agencies is required. Experience in applying econometric skills and analysis in support of policy research is desirable. Work experience in the Asia-Pacific region as demonstrated by living and working in the region outside of home country is desirable. Experience in the United Nations Common System or international organizations is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 September 2020, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, 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, South Sudan, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

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

Position availability is subject to release of funds. Confirmation on the Entry-on-Duty date will be provided during the onboarding.

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.