Org. Setting and Reporting
The position is located in the Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO) a division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Principal Economic Affairs Officer reports to the Director of FSDO and will lead the secretariat supporting the intergovernmental negotiating committee on the drafting of the United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation and its two early protocols as mandated by the General Assembly in its resolution 79/235.
Responsibilities
Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation (“secretariat”) under his/her supervision. Oversees the management of all activities undertaken by the secretariat, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work within FSDO and DESA, and with other Secretariat departments and organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate. Serves as the substantive secretary for the intergovernmental negotiating committee, and advises the committee’s Chair and Bureau on all substantive issues related to the for the drafting of the United Nations Framework Convention and its two early protocols. Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the secretariat under his/her responsibility. Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units under the secretariat, providing substantive, legal and organizational support to the negotiating committee and ensuring coherence between the Framework Convention and two early protocols while maintaining their distinct legal status and focus; provides strategic, programmatic and substantive reviews of the secretariat’s work including on public information, communication and stakeholder engagement. Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports, presentations, documents and other materials for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the intergovernmental negotiating committee, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. Coordinates substantive contributions from technical experts on tax, economists and other specialists, taking into consideration the work of other relevant fora, potential synergies and the existing tools, strengths, expertise and complementarities available in the multiple institutions involved in tax cooperation at the international, regional and local levels. Reports to intergovernmental bodies on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports. Ensures that the outputs produced by the secretariat maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. Assists the Director in preparing the work programme of the secretariat, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the secretariat, including preparation of budgets and funding proposals, reporting on performance, evaluation of staff performance, interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting. Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical and gender balance. Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision. Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the secretariat and across organizational boundaries. Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, consultations, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings, consultations or seminars. Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on tax-related issues or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. Represents the Division or Department, including in engaging with Member States, donors and other stakeholders at international, regional or national meetings.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. 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. Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. 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 task 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 degree) in taxation, law, economics, public policy, accounting, or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two 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 fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in tax policy and tax administration issues, of which three years at a senior level in international tax cooperation, is required. At least five years of experience in dealing with international tax cooperation issues is required Experience in current international tax policy and administration issues, and the particular challenges of developing countries is required. Experience in supervising and managing a high-performing, multidisciplinary and diverse team is required. Experience working with key officials and various stakeholders internationally in the international tax cooperation community is desirable. Experience working in a multilateral context, particularly in negotiating of multilateral legal instruments, is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in spoken and written English is required. 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
• This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2025, with a possibility of extension. 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. • The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds. • 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 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.