Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the International Tax and Development Cooperation Branch (ITDCB) of the Financing for Sustainable Development Office of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The incumbent reports to the Senior Economic Affairs Officer. The FSDO works to advance policy and action on financing for sustainable development to support Member States and other stakeholders in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development: by providing thought leadership and agenda-shaping, promoting multi- stakeholder dialogue, identifying policy options and best practices, and offering strategic advice and support for capacity development in key areas; this includes the branch workstream on international development cooperation and its role as Secretariat of the Development Cooperation Forum (DCF). A core function of the Economic and Social Council, the DCF reviews the latest trends, progress and emerging issues in international development cooperation, and encourages coherence and coordination across diverse actors and activities. More information can be found at: https://financing.desa.un.org/

Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Senior Economic Affairs Officer of the International Tax and Development Cooperation Branch, the Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: – Reviews, monitors and produces analysis and provides advice on trends in international development cooperation policy, identifying emerging trends and issues, including in relation to adaptation of institutions and policies in support of priorities of developing countries, the mobilization and optimal use of all means of implementation, and the quality, effectiveness and impact of development cooperation for sustainable development; – Designs and conducts studies and surveys of selected issues on development cooperation related issues; – Drafts reports to the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council and supports Member States in their consultations and deliberations on these issues; – Formulates proposals for development strategies, policies and measures for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and others; – Organizes formal and informal conferences, symposiums, panels, roundtables, interagency meetings, and expert group meetings on international development cooperation at the global, regional and national levels; – Initiates and helps coordinate strategic communications, outreach and resource mobilization activities related to the work of the Unit, Branch and Office. Intergovernmental support – Represents the Branch or Office in interdepartmental and inter-agency meetings, working groups and task forces and participate in international, regional and country level meetings and initiatives as appropriate, including to support wider and more effective uptake of DCF policy guidance on international development cooperation; – Follows meetings of ECOSOC and the General Assembly on development cooperation and prepares summary reports; – Drafts statements to be made by members of the Bureau of intergovernmental bodies and senior Secretariat staff to such meetings. Technical cooperation: – Designs, implements and monitors technical cooperation and capacity development projects; – Undertakes missions to member states, either alone or as a participant in a diverse team, as part of the Organization’s technical cooperation and capacity development activities; – Prepares global, regional, national or sector analyses that provide a basis for advising national governments on economic development issues; – Formulates technical modalities for the evaluation of individual technical cooperation projects; – Initiates and strengthens partnerships within the UN system to scale up scope and enhance impact of technical cooperation 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 Unit, Branch and Office. – Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the Office’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. 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. 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 degree) in economics 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.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A 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 research and drafting of analytical reports on international development cooperation is required. Experience in servicing intergovernmental bodies is desirable. Experience in implementing UN capacity development projects is desirable. Experience within an International Organization 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 the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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. 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. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 July 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.