Economic Affairs Officer (Illicit Financial Flows)

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 103,090 USD and 134,989 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.

This position is located under Cluster 3 on Shared Economic Prosperity. The Economic Affairs Officer is expected to contribute to strengthening ESCWA’s policy support to member States in the area of Financing Sustainable Development, in particular in the field of domestic resource mobilization and curbing tax and trade-based illicit financial flows, including measures aiming at expanding the tax net and enhancing tax progressivity, tax efficiency (tax expenditures), tax compliance and administration. The Economic Affairs Officer reports to the Economic Adviser for Financing for Development and the Cluster Leader, Shared Economic Prosperity.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Economic Affairs Officer is expected to carry out the following duties: - Monitor, analyze and report on global developments and national reforms in the field of combating illicit financial flows, notably with respect to tax and trade based illicit flows for the purpose of enhancing Public Financial Management (PFM) and Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM) including supporting government efforts towards transitioning to SDG-centric budgeting and optimization; - Interprets, applies and, as necessary, adapts econometric models to determine trends, patterns and relationships to assess the tax implications arising from digitization; - Develop and apply methodological guidelines, define data sources to undertake qualitative and quantitative assessments needed to measure tax transparency, tax compliance (tax evasion), tax efficiency and identify/estimate opportunities to enhance domestic resource mobilization capacities in Arab countries (tax and trade based illicit finance); - Conduct assessments, peer reviews and quantitative estimations of trade-based illicit financial flows and tax abuses as well as cost-benefit analysis of tax incentives, and tax/efforts; - Conduct assessments, peer reviews and quantitative estimations of trade and investment based illicit financial flows; - Prepares technical reports/briefs on cross-border taxation and the implications arising from the Inclusive Framework on base erosion and profit shifting, taxing rights, country by country reporting, and transfer pricing; - Contribute to the design of national policies and strategies on international tax matters; and provide policy guidance to relevant stakeholders in ESCWA member States on the negotiation and administration of tax treaties; - Develop socio-economic databases and qualitative information necessary for specified recurrent or ad-hoc assignments; - Liaise with relevant professional networks including stakeholders and other organizations active in the field; - Provides inputs for the normative and advocacy functions of the Division based on the capacity development expertise; - Prepares briefing notes, inputs to speeches and similar material on economic or sector issues in a form that is meaningful to non-specialists; - Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies; Follows intergovernmental meetings and prepares summary reports and similar material. Prepares inputs to statements by members of the Bureau and prepares speeches and other inputs for presentation by Secretariat staff to such meetings. - Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s services; - Assumes other tasks in his/her area of expertise and in line with capacity development guidance as requested by the supervisor;

Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge in the area of taxation, public finance, illicit financial flows and economics. Ability to identify and develop sources for data collection. Ability to undertake research, analyze data, make recommendations and write reports. 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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 taxation, finance, illicit financial flows and economics or other related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in the area of taxation and domestic resource mobilization, public finance as well as international taxation, including tax policy administration and compliance, transfer pricing and base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) issues, in addition to other aspects of international tax cooperation to combat illicit financial flows, is required

Experience in quantitative research methods and statistical tools (e.g. STATA, e-views, R, Excel, etc…) is required.

Experience in empirical macro-economics and time series analysis techniques is required.

Experience in relevant international taxation developments, including the work of the United Nations Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters and the OECD Inclusive Framework is desirable.

Experience in the implementation of capacity-building activities, including advisory work, on curbing illicit financial flows namely through tax enforcement and compliance measures in developing countries 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. Knowledge in Arabic 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 may include an assessment exercise(s) which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice - This position is temporarily available for 364 days, subject to extension based on the availability of funds/post, continued need for services, and satisfactory performance. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• 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.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• 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.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

• Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

• 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.

• For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 January 2022, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, 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, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Viet Nam.

• Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

  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.