Social Affairs Officer

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 105,852 USD and 138,605 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 inclusive economic, social and environmental development and support regional cooperation and integration in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP's role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership, through its analytical, normative and technical cooperation, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

This position is located in the Sustainable Socioeconomic Transformation Section, in the Social Development Division. The incumbent reports to the Chief, Sustainable Socioeconomic Transformation Section.

Responsibilities Under the general direction of the Director, Social Development Division, and direct supervision of the Chief, Sustainable Socioeconomic Transformation Section, the Social Affairs Officer is responsible for the following duties:

Social Analysis

• Participates in the analysis of social development issues with a focus on social protection, inequality and poverty reduction at regional and national levels; undertakes empirical research and analysis of trends and developments and related policy under the section's purview.
• Prepares and contributes to the preparation the Division’s flagship report “Social Outlook for Asia and the Pacific”, as well as other written documents and communications, including analytical reports on inequality and social protection, parliamentary documents, briefings and correspondence.
• Develops indicators and methodologies for review and evaluation of specific topics relating to social protection, inequality and poverty reduction.
• Liaises and partners with key stakeholders including policymakers, experts from research institutes and academia, and organizations of the UN system, to discuss socioeconomic development issues, in particular in relation to social protection, inequality and poverty reduction.
• Assists in the planning, organizing and servicing of technical and ad hoc expert group meeting; drafting reports and preparing summaries of meetings,
• Represents the work unit at international and other meetings; organize and participate in working groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on social and economic development related matters.

Intergovernmental support - Provides support to intergovernmental processes dealing with social development issues by: preparing inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies; following intergovernmental meetings and preparing summary reports; preparing inputs to statements by members of the bureau and Secretariat staff to such meetings; assisting in the organization of panels, round tables, etc. on social development issues for intergovernmental processes. - Provides support to governments and other key stakeholders in the formulation of national policies and programmes related to social protection, inequality and poverty reduction.

Technical Cooperation - Organizes expert group meetings, seminars and other meetings on social integration related issues, including activities to build national capacity in the Asia-Pacific region. - Undertakes missions to member States as part of the Organization's technical cooperation activities and/or in support of the work programme. - Organizes and conducts training seminars for government officials, national experts on social development issues, in particular on issues related to social protection, inequality and poverty reduction. - Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects in the field of social integration

General - Carry out programmatic/administrative tasks, including preparation of budgets, reporting on programme performance and preparation of input for results-based budgeting. - Prepares statements and presentations on social and economic issues and other duties as required. - Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the Section and Division's work.

Competencies - PROFESSIONALISM: Deep knowledge and understanding of theories and concepts related to socioeconomic development with a focus on social protection, inequality and poverty reduction. A solid knowledge of and the ability to use quantitative methods and techniques. Strong analytical capacity and the ability to identify, analyze and articulate complex issues. Strong drafting skills and the ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources, draw conclusions and assess impact of policies in the area of social development. Ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff. 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.

• 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 & 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.

  Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, sociology, other relevant social science is required. 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 A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in socioeconomic research and analysis is required.

  Experience in drafting reports and studies on social protection and inequality is desirable.

  Experience in conducting quantitative research on social development issues 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 official United Nations language is an advantage.

  Assessment Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

  Special Notice This is a temporary position and will initially be available for six months. If selected, an internal candidate will be on temporary assignment to the post; an external candidate will initially be offered a temporary appointment. Any extension of appointment is subject to satisfactory performance and continued availability of the post.

ESCAP is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality within the Secretariat. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Subject to availability of funding for the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

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.