Associate Economic Affairs Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is a part of the United Nations Secretariat and operates under the supervision of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Established to promote economic and social development in the Arab region, ESCWA comprises 21 member countries in Western Asia and North Africa. The organization provides a framework for the formulation and harmonization of sectoral policies, serves as a platform for coordination and congress, and acts as a repository of expertise and knowledge. ESCWA's activities are aligned with the United Nations' main offices and specialized agencies, as well as regional organizations such as the League of Arab States and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The organization focuses on various clusters, including 'Shared Economic Prosperity', which aims to foster inclusive fiscal policies and sustainable economic development in the region.

Job Overview:
The Associate Economic Affairs Officer will play a crucial role in supporting ESCWA's mission by engaging in economic and sector analysis, technical cooperation, and general administrative tasks. This position is situated within Cluster 3, which emphasizes shared economic prosperity and aims to facilitate deliberation and consensus-building among member states. The officer will be responsible for collecting and analyzing trade data, maintaining trade databases, and preparing analytical studies on international trade issues. The role also involves contributing to technical cooperation projects and ensuring that the work aligns with the commitments made in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. The officer will work under the supervision of the Cluster Lead or designated officer, contributing to the overall objectives of ESCWA and supporting member states in achieving sustainable economic development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties of the Associate Economic Affairs Officer include:

• Conducting economic and sector analysis by collecting, evaluating, interpreting, and analyzing global trade databases relevant to ESCWA member states.
• Maintaining and managing global trade databases and programs, including data visualization tools.
• Assisting in the testing and application of global trade models for ex-ante assessments.
• Preparing briefing notes and inputs for speeches on emerging trade issues at various levels.
• Drafting sector, country, or regional components of analytical studies on international trade policies.
• Utilizing new technologies to enhance trade analysis tools and databases.
• Compiling and analyzing data for technical cooperation project proposals in international trade.
• Preparing documentation for technical cooperation programs and contributing to project approvals.
• Performing various administrative tasks necessary for the delivery of the work unit's services. 1
• Engaging in on-the-job training activities to enhance professional development.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of economic theories and their practical applications. They should demonstrate the ability to identify and develop data sources, conduct research, analyze data, and produce comprehensive reports. The ideal candidate will show professionalism, efficiency, and a commitment to gender perspectives in their work. Strong communication skills are essential, including the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively. Teamwork is also a critical competency, as the officer will need to collaborate with colleagues to achieve organizational goals and support group decisions.

Educational Background:
A first-level university degree in economics or a related field is required for this position. This educational background provides the foundational knowledge necessary for understanding economic theories and practices relevant to the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least two years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, particularly with a focus on international trade. Experience using large international trade databases such as COMTRADE, TiVA, TradeMap, and GTAP is desirable. Familiarity with STATA or GAMS for modeling and analysis of international trade is also preferred. Candidates who have passed the United Nations Young Professionals Programme (YPP) Examination or similar assessments may apply without prior experience.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in French is desirable, and knowledge of Arabic is also beneficial, as it is a working language at ESCWA. Candidates must demonstrate fluency in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding these languages, with 'fluency' defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available until 31 October 2025, with the possibility of extension based on funding availability and performance. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance in its workforce and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process adheres to strict standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, and candidates with a history of violations of law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law or other serious offenses will not be considered. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities upon request.