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 125,630 USD and 161,973 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 Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA unescwa.org) forms part of the United Nations Secretariat and, like the other regional commissions, operates under the supervision of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. ESCWA comprises 20 Arab countries in Western Asia and North Africa. ESCWA provides a framework for the formulation and harmonization of sectoral policies for member countries, a platform for congress and coordination, a home for expertise and knowledge, and an information observatory. ESCWA activities are coordinated with the divisions and main offices of the Headquarters of the United Nations, specialized agencies, and international and regional organizations, including the League of Arab States and its subsidiary bodies, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

As part of its mandate to promote democracy and development of the region, ESCWA developed the National Agenda for the Future of Syria (NAFS) Programme in 2012 to establish a platform for technical dialogue for Syrians to discuss options and scenarios for and inclusive and sustainable reconciliation and peacebuilding in Syria during the critical post-conflict period. Through such dialogue, the Programme seeks to provide assistance for an inclusive and sustainable transition process in Syria. Specifically the Programme: 1) assesses and articulates the future development needs and priorities of Syrians, communicates them in international debates on Syria, and advocates for their uptake among Syrian and international stakeholders; 2) develops analysis and policy options for post-conflict recovery and development inside Syria; 3) builds the capacity of local actors to cope with the conflict and plan how to build back better; and 4) translates the analysis and long-term policy options developed by the programme into concrete guidance for the design of resilience and reconciliation initiatives.

Under the general guidance of the Executive Secretary, the Economic Affairs Officer will report to the Programme Manager of the National Agenda for the Future of Syria.

Responsibilities The Economic Affairs Officer prepares in-depth qualitative and quantitative analyses of diverse aspects of the development challenges faced by the Syrian Arab Republic ; formulates sound policy proposals; recommends project activities; develops well-designed programmes of analysis of economic, governance and development issues; provides guidance and leadership to less senior staff. The Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Economic or sector analysis - Prepares global, regional, national or sector analyses that provide a basis for advising on economic governance and development issues. - Develops socio-economic databases and qualitative information necessary for specified recurrent or ad hoc assignments. - Interprets, applies and, as necessary, adapts models to determine trends, patterns and relationships and to analyse the effects of alternative policies and assumptions. - Drafts specified inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on selected global, regional, national or sector aspects of economic development. - Identifies and analyses policy proposals made elsewhere relating to assigned topics. - Attends international, regional, and national meetings to collect information and to hold discussions with colleagues in other institutions. - Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues. - Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.

Intergovernmental - Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies. - Follows meetings and prepares summary reports. - Organizes expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues. - Assist in preparing inputs to statements by members of the Bureau and Secretariat staff to meetings, if necessary . - Attends meetings to hold discussions with representatives of other institutions and builds trust and strong relationships with relevant stakeholders and beneficiaries - Assists in the organization of panels, round tables etc. on key development issues

Technical - Designs and conducts policy-oriented studies of selected issues in economic governance and draft resulting reports including in the areas of competitiveness, fiscal leakage, financial management, Investment climate and business environment. - Interprets and applies results of analytical/econometric modelling to analysis of economic prospects and policies. write studies and papers on key subject matters - Interprets and applies results of analytical/econometric modelling to analysis of economic prospects and policies. - Develops draft actionable policy recommendations pertaining to economic governance, competitiveness, fiscal leakage, financial management, Investment climate and business environment. - Formulates proposals for development strategies, policies and measures for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and others. - Develops and formulates project proposals to generate extra-budgetary resources - Organizes training seminars for national experts. - Prepares documentation for technical cooperation programmes and projects. - Contributes to the preparation of material for the approval of regional, country or sector technical cooperation projects - Works with the project team and key stakeholders to achieve results in line with the project outputs/outcomes. - Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects.

General - Supports junior staff, reviewing their work and providing feedback - Participates in intra- and inter-Departmental undertakings of broader concern to represent the views or interests of the organizational unit - Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s services. - Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Competencies PROFESSIONALISM - Ability to apply governance and economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development and to current issues on governance and development. Ability to conduct independent research on economics and economic governance topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Ability to identify, analyze 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.

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.

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.

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A PhD in a relevant field is desirable.university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in economic and economic governance research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area is required. At least 4 years of experience in utilizing advanced quantitative tools, including modelling, to analyze and predict trends and impact analysis is desirable. At least 3 years of experience in designing and conducting policy-oriented studies in the subject area of economic governance and sustainable development is desirable. At least 3 years of experience in drafting reports in selected areas of competitiveness, fiscal leakage, financial management, Investment climate and business environment is desirable

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. In addition, Arabic is a working language at ESCWA.

For this position, fluency in English is required. Fluency in Arabic is desirable. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Note: "Fluency" equals a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and "Knowledge of" equals a rating of 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates will include assessment(s) and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice - This project position is available for one year from the date of appointment/assignment. Extension of the appointment/assignment is subject to availability of funds, extension of the mandate, continued need for services, and satisfactory performance. - 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. - 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. - 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 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.

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.