Posting Title: Economic Affairs Officer, P4 (Temporary Job Opening)

Job Code Title: ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

Department/Office: Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

Duty Station: NEW YORK

Posting Period: 10 July 2023 – 30 July 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Economic Affairs-OHRLLS-213500-J-New York (G)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organisational Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UNOHRLLS). Sub-programme 1 of the Office is mandated to mobilize and coordinate international support and resources for the effective implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries, enhance its Monitoring and follow-up and raise awareness and advocate with respect to the special needs of least developed countries. The incumbent reports to the Senior Programme Management Officer, Subprogramme 1, under the overall guidance of the Chief. For more information see: http://un.org/ohrlls

Responsibilities

Responsibilities: Within delegated authority, the Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Economic or sector analysis:

•  Monitors economic developments in the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the United Nations.
•  Designs and conducts studies of selected issues in economic development of least developed countries and draft resulting reports.
•  Develops draft policy recommendations pertaining to area of work.
•  Formulates proposals for development strategies, policies and measures for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and others.
•  Attends international, regional, and national meetings to hold discussions with representatives of other institutions.
•  Organizes expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues for government officials of least developed countries.
•  Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff. Intergovernmental support
•  Provides substantive support on economic issues related to the Least Developed Countries to intergovernmental bodies, such as the General Assembly, and the Economic and Social Council.
•  Represents organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings. General
•  Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s service.;
•  Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Competencies

•  Professionalism: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development, especially of sustainable development of least developed countries. 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.
•  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.
•  Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, development studies, international relations or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work ExperienceA minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area is required. Experience in working with international organizations as well as intergovernmental processes is desirable. Experience in quantitative research on economic development is desirable. Experience in analysing sustainable development challenges of least developed countries and providing related policy advice is desirable.

LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

•  This position is temporarily available from 1 September 2023 until 29 February 2024. 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.
•  Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
•  This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
•  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.

United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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 FeeTHE 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.