Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the Development Pillar of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Development Pillar. The Economist will be based in Kabul and will report to the Head of the Integrated Office. Kabul is currently classified as an “E” hardship duty station and a non-family duty station. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2626 (2022) in its operative paragraph 5 (b) mandated UNAMA “to coordinate international donors and organizations in relation to basic human needs, taking into account resolution 2615 (2021), including through information-sharing, facilitate development policy dialogue between all relevant Afghan stakeholders, the region and the wider international community, support efforts to increase accountability, transparency and the effective use of aid without discrimination, and support community-based systems for meeting basic human needs and increasing resilience, support the provision of essential services to the Afghan population and contribute to creating economic and social conditions that can lead to self-reliance and stability, and continue to work with all relevant stakeholders and international financial institutions to facilitate commercial and financial activity in Afghanistan and support efforts to facilitate access to assets belonging to Afghanistan’s Central Bank for the benefit of the Afghan people.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for: ECONOMIC AND/OR SECTOR ANALYSIS: Supports the mission’s aid effectiveness role through regular engagement with the de facto authorities on national development plans and macro-economic stabilization. • Directs review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow up actions with a view to ensure greater complementarity and coherence between UN, donor and de facto authority plans to enhance aid effectiveness • Monitors economic developments in Afghanistan and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the United Nations. • Designs and conducts studies of selected issues in economic development and draft resulting reports. • Interprets and applies results of econometric modelling to analysis of economic prospects and policies. • Leads engagement between UN, International Financial Institutions and relevant authorities to formulate proposals for development strategies, policies and regulatory measures • Attends international, regional, and national meetings to hold discussions with representatives of other institutions. • Organizes expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues. • Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff. GENERAL: • Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s service.

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. • 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. • CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying 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. Substantial experience in sustainable development is required. Demonstrated ability in data analysis and proven capacity to develop policy and impactful strategic interventions in a UN country context (such as in a Resident Coordination Office and/or UN County Team) is required. Prior work experience in conflict/crisis settings such as in Afghanistan is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice

This “Recruit from Roster” job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected. 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.

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.