Economic Affairs Officer

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP's role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policy oriented research and analysis, normative support and technical assistance and capacity building, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

The objective of the Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Division (IDD) is to strengthen information and communications technology (ICT) connectivity and enhance regional cooperation and capacity with the goals of improved management of disaster risk reduction and the associated socioeconomic risks, towards inclusive and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific.

This position is located in the Space Applications Section (SAS), in the Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Division (IDD). The incumbent reports to the Chief of Space Applications Section.
• Responsibilities*:
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Space Applications Section, and overall supervision of the Director, Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Division, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions:
Economic or sector analysis:
• 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.
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.

Intergovernmental support
• Provides inputs for reports to ESCAP Commission and its relevant Committee as well as other intergovernmental bodies.
• Represents organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings.

Technical cooperation:
• Designs and monitors technical cooperation projects.
• Undertakes missions to member states, either alone or as a participant in a diverse team, as part of the Organization's technical cooperation activities.
• Prepares global, regional, national or sector analyses that provide a basis for advising national governments on sustainable development issues.
• Conducts training seminars and workshops for government officials and others.
• Formulates technical modalities for the evaluation of individual 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 organizational unit.
• 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

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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, natural sciences, engineering or related field.

A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

Working experience in the Asia-Pacific region is desirable.

Experience in the United Nations Common System or international organizations 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 UN official language is an advantage.

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

Special Notice

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 October 2021, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, D