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 168,113 USD and 216,746 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 This position is located in the Economic Cooperation and Trade Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The Economic Affairs Officer will report to the Chief Market Access Section.

The post supervises and manages the Regulatory Cooperation Unit, which includes servicing the respective intergovernmental bodies, and supervising and managing normative work, research work, partnerships and extrabudgetary projects, in the area of regulatory cooperation and standardization policies, including their trade dimension.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Economic Affairs Officer is responsible for the following duties:

• Services the Working Party on Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies (WP.6) and meetings of the bureau and of WP.6 rapporteurs and coordinators. This includes: the preparation for meetings (agendas, invitations, documentation, liaison with conference services, dissemination of information on the Internet); the holding of meetings (report writing and organization); follow-up (updating of working documents, dissemination of results on the Internet, etc); liaison with: national standardization, regulatory and other competent authorities, the private sector, and civil society; responding to requests for technical assistance; advising on technical assistance as well as policy and other developments related to the WP.6 programme of work. Develops synergies with the Steering Committee on Trade Capacity and Standards, other Working Parties, teams, programmes and activities within ECE.

  • Services the Working Party’s ad hoc teams of experts and meetings of their task forces/facilitators in support of the 2030 Agenda, including SDG and Gender Responsive Standards and related activities in the Trade Subprogramme. This includes: the supervision and monitoring of the preparation for meetings (agendas, invitations, documentation, liaison with conference services, dissemination of information on the Internet); the holding of meetings (report writing and organization); follow-up (updating of working documents, dissemination of results on the Internet, etc); and liaison with responsible national sectoral bodies/authorities, the private sector, and civil society.

  • Coordinates related work and liaises with other organizations, including UN system organizations, other Regional Commissions, the World Trade Organization, International Organization for Standardization, International Electrotechnical Commission, regional standardization organizations and bodies. Attends meetings of various organizations, including those named above, on areas related to the incumbent’s responsibilities; presents the ECE’s work; collaborates with these organizations by proposing areas for cooperation, sharing information, replying to correspondence, preparing idea papers, briefing notes, etc.

  • Promotes and implements activities, by: - Supervising the maintenance of WP.6 Internet homepage - Preparing publications and promotional material - Preparing presentations - Undertaking fundraising to support capacity building and training activities

  • Supervises and manages the staff of the Unit, (including one P-3 and one GS staff members). - Recruits and trains staff of the unit - Supervises the work distribution and holds staff accountable for SMART goals - Acts as first reporting officer for staff of the Unit and engages in meaningful workplan preparation and performance feedback

  • Conducts research on topics related to standardization and regulatory policies, including their trade dimension, with emphasis on the specific concerns of countries in transition; monitors and collects information; analyses and report to intergovernmental groups of experts, develops proposals for future work items and for collaboration with governments and other organizations. Assists in fulfilling the work programme of the UNECE Steering Committee on Trade Capacity and Standards by assisting in the preparation of policy papers and proposals and being responsible for liaison with the Steering Committee and other ECE subsidiary bodies in the area of standardization and regulatory policies, the SDGs, the Circular Economy, Gender Responsive Standards and other relevant topics of the Commission.

  • Undertakes professional development and training activities.

  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. Ability to identify and develop 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.

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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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.

CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, commerce, economics, law, international relations, development studies or a related area. A 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 Seven years of professional experience in economic affairs or a related area such as international trade, or investment law or policy is required. Experience with standards and standardization from the industry/manufacturing or the international economic environment is desirable. Experience servicing intergovernmental meetings 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 French or Russian is desirable.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will 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. 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 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 30 November 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, 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, South Sudan, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

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.