Economic Affairs Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the Office of the Director, Division on Investment and Enterprise of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). UNCTAD was established in 1964 and is a permanent intergovernmental body that aims to promote the development-friendly integration of developing countries into the world economy. The organization has a mission to support developing countries in their efforts to achieve sustainable development through trade, investment, and technology. UNCTAD operates in over 190 countries and has a diverse workforce of approximately 400 employees from various cultural and professional backgrounds.

Job Overview:
The Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for conducting economic or sector analysis, monitoring economic developments, and identifying issues of concern to the United Nations. The incumbent will design and conduct studies related to investment policies for development and investment financing strategies, drafting reports and policy recommendations. The role involves formulating proposals for development investment financing strategies and policies, attending international meetings, and organizing expert group meetings and seminars on investment for development issues. The officer will also provide substantive support to intergovernmental bodies and represent the organizational unit at various meetings. Additionally, the officer will design and monitor technical cooperation projects and partnerships, prepare analyses to advise national governments, and conduct training seminars for government officials. The position requires supporting junior staff and participating in broader organizational undertakings.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Monitor economic developments in a defined area and identify recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the United Nations.
• Design and conduct studies in the area of investment policies for development and investment financing strategies, drafting resulting reports.
• Develop draft policy recommendations pertaining to investment for development and investment financing strategies.
• Formulate proposals for development investment financing strategies, policies, and measures for presentation to intergovernmental bodies.
• Attend international, regional, and national meetings to discuss investment for development issues with representatives of other institutions.
• Organize expert group meetings, seminars, and other events on investment for development issues.
• Prepare speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.
• Provide substantive support on economic issues to intergovernmental bodies such as the General Assembly and UNCTAD.
• Represent the organizational unit at international, regional, and national meetings. 1
• Design and monitor technical cooperation projects and partnerships on investment financing strategies. 1
• Undertake missions to member states as part of the Organization’s technical cooperation activities. 1
• Prepare global, regional, national, or sector analyses to advise national governments on investment for development issues. 1
• Conduct training seminars and workshops for government officials. 1
• Formulate technical modalities for evaluating individual technical cooperation projects. 1
• Support junior staff by reviewing their work and providing feedback. 1
• Participate in broader organizational undertakings to represent the views or interests of the organizational unit. 1
• Perform other related duties as required, including administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s service. 1
• Undertake on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or a related field.
• A relevant first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, and application of economic principles in development programmes or related areas is required.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in research and analysis, capacity-building, and consensus-building in the area of investment financing for development is desirable.
• Experience in designing and managing partnerships in support of investment financing for development is desirable.
• Experience dealing with sustainable investment in the digital and green sectors is desirable.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or a related field. Alternatively, a relevant first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to perform the duties of the position effectively.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, and the application of economic principles in development programmes or related areas. Additionally, a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in research and analysis, capacity-building, and consensus-building in the area of investment financing for development is desirable. Experience in designing and managing partnerships in support of investment financing for development, as well as experience dealing with sustainable investment in the digital and green sectors, is also desirable.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French, both of which are required for this position. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency at UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking for both languages. Additionally, knowledge of either Arabic, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), or Russian is desirable, with a minimum proficiency of UN Level I in these languages.

Additional Notes:
The position is subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and may require staff members to move periodically to new functions in their careers. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request.