Senior Economic Affairs Officer

Contract

This is a P-5 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 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 153,110 USD and 191,882 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 in Cluster 3: 'Shared Economic Prosperity'. Cluster 3 acts as a pioneer and multi-stakeholder regional platform for deliberation, consensus-building, peer learning, and policy solutions on regional connectivity to achieve a basic standard of living for all people in the Arab region through sustained and integrated economic development. Cluster 3 also supports member States in complying with the commitments made in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

Under the overall guidance of the Executive Secretary, the incumbent report directly to the Cluster Leader.

Responsibilities Within limits of delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

1- Lead or participate in the formulation, organization and management of mandated programmes of economic analysis, in the areas of macroeconomic analysis, macroeconomic policy coordination, economic forecasting, progressive taxation, inflation targeting and counter cyclical macroeconomic policies; 2- Lead the formulation, organization and management of ESCWA's flagship publication, Survey of Economic and Social Development in the ESCWA region; 3- Formulate suitable economic policies and strategies, for adoption by countries of the region to attain long term development; 4- Lead or participate in the identification of new or emerging development issues of potential concern to the region, and design and develop programmes to address their potential impact on development of the region; 5- Lead and participate in the preparations of economic forecasts covering economic developments and prospects for each country and the region; 6- Lead and contribute to quantitative analysis and in the development of new macro-models and macroeconomic indicators to enhance the empirical work that is the core of the divisions' flagship publications; 7- Develop research agenda and lead research in economic analysis, public debt, investment strategies, inflation, unemployment, macroeconomic strategies and policies to facilitate and promote sustainable growth and development; 8- Foster collaborative economic research work with regional and global institutions; 9- Supervise a team of staff economists undertaking the work of the section; 10- Commission economic studies and analyses that cannot be undertaken internally; 11- Conceive, plan and manage expert group meetings, seminars and similar consultations that contribute to the finalization of the work unit's outputs; 12- Supervise and contribute to the preparation of publications and reports on development for issuance by the United Nations; 13- Contribute to the formulation of the strategic framework, the programme of work and the budget of the Section and participate in the formulation of the division overall programme of work and similar endeavors; 14- Lead develop and participate in advisory and technical cooperation services to member countries on economic issues and policies; 15- Lead on preparation of speeches for senior staff and makes presentations on economic and trade issues for specialist or non-specialist audiences; 16- Assists in annual flagship publication of ESCWA "The Survey of Economic and Social Developments in the Arab Region"; 17- Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies Professionalism: Proven professional experience related to economic analysis and development, including in particular, macroeconomic modeling, and the design and implementation of suitable macroeconomic policies. Ability to conduct independent research on economic topics, including some own-name publications, and to use advanced econometric methods of research and analysis. Ability to develop new macro models to assess development prospects and to propose economic policies and make recommendations on their implementation. Proven ability to produce reports and papers on technical economic issues; ability to review and edit the work of others. Demonstrate management ability in meeting commitment and observing deadlines; experience with advanced econometric and analytical modeling techniques and their applications to economic analysis, forecasting and economic policy analysis; evidence of high quality research output and track record of high quality publications in international peer reviewed professional journals; excellent knowledge of statistical and econometric software packages such as STATA, E-Views. 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.

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.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches tasks to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in economics, econometrics, macroeconomics, economic development, political economy, public economics or other related fields. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification A PhD in economics, econometrics, macroeconomics, economic development, political economy, public economics or other related fields is desirable.

Work Experience Ten years of progressively responsible experience related to economic analysis at national, regional and international levels on; economic forecasting and scenario building; macroeconomic policy formulation, evaluation and analysis, including relevant experience in economic research and analysis as well as analytical macro modeling techniques as evidenced by good record of relevant publications; application of economic principles in development programme and to the formulation of strategies and for long term economic growth and development are required.

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 of Arabic is desirable. Note: "Fluency" equals a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand).

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates will include assessment exercise(s) which will be followed by competency-based interview

Special Notice - This position is temporarily available until 31 May 2023, and may be extended subject to 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations.

• 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.

• For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 November 2022, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

  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.