Economic Affairs Officer, P4

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Strategic Engagement and Policy Integration Branch, Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Financing for Sustainable Development Office provides coherent and integrated support to Member States in addressing the issues related to financing for development, as well as the means of implementation for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. More information can be found at: http://www.un.org/esa/ffd/. This position will support the follow-up to the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development and related intergovernmental processes. The Economic Affairs Officer reports to the Senior Economic Affairs Officer.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Economic or sector analysis: • Monitors economic developments related to financing for sustainable development and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the United Nations, in particular for the follow-up to the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. • Designs and conducts studies of selected issues in economic development and draft resulting reports on the seven action areas of the Sevilla Commitment and Addis Ababa Action Agenda, as well as in other relevant topics on financing. • Develops draft policy recommendations pertaining to financing for development. • 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 financing for sustainable development issues. • Carries out research and policy analysis on issues related to financing for sustainable development, including drafting reports and taking notes. • Organizes consultative and other meetings related to the Conference, including proposing agenda topics, and prepares inputs to statements for senior officials, documents, presentations and other substantive inputs. • Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff. Intergovernmental support: • Provides substantive support on economic issues to intergovernmental bodies (such as the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council), including intergovernmental negotiations. • Follows intergovernmental meetings and prepares summary reports. • Prepares inputs to statements by members of the ECOSOC Bureau and Secretariat staff to such meetings. • Supports in the organization of panels, round tables etc. on development issues for intergovernmental processes. • Supports in coordination of the ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development Followup and its preparatory process. • Represents organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings. 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

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of international policy-making processes and intergovernmental process within the United Nations Common System, particularly those related to financing for sustainable development. Ability to apply analytical skills and economic theories and concepts of concern to the United Nations Common System in the area of financing for development. 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. • 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. • 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.

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 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 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 on financing for development issues is required. Experience supporting intergovernmental processes related to financing for development is required. Experience in organizing and coordinating high-level intergovernmental meetings, conferences and events on financing for development at the international level is required. Experience working at the country or regional level is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level III Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice This position is funded through extrabudgetary resources. The appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal will be subject to the availability of the position and funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. External candidates selected for this position will be subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA-limited)” in accordance with sections 2.2(c) and 2.4 of administrative instruction ST/AI/2025/3 on the administration of appointments. Staff member of other United Nations system organizations who are signatories of the inter-organization agreement concerning transfer, secondment or loan of staff who are selected for this position will be reassigned to the position on secondment arrangements only. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position. 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. 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. 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Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. 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.