Senior Economic Affairs Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Economic Cooperation and Integration among Developing Countries Unit (ECIDC) of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). UNCTAD was established in 1964 and is dedicated to promoting the integration of developing countries into the global economy. The organization focuses on trade, investment, and sustainable development, with a mission to support developing nations in their efforts to achieve economic growth and development. UNCTAD operates in over 190 countries and employs a diverse workforce committed to fostering inclusive and sustainable economic policies.

Job Overview:
The Senior Economic Affairs Officer will play a pivotal role in leading and participating in the formulation, organization, and management of economic analysis programs. This position requires a deep understanding of south-south cooperation and economic integration among developing countries. The officer will be responsible for identifying emerging development issues, commissioning economic studies, and managing expert group meetings to finalize outputs for the ECIDC. The role also involves providing substantive support to intergovernmental bodies, representing the ECIDC at various meetings, and developing relationships with senior officials of member governments to negotiate technical assistance programs. The officer will contribute to the formulation of the medium-term plan and the overall program of work for the ECIDC, ensuring that the division's objectives align with the broader goals of UNCTAD.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Economic Affairs Officer will lead economic or sectoral analysis, manage programs of economic analysis, and formulate strategies for south-south cooperation. Responsibilities include identifying new development issues, commissioning studies, and preparing reports for the United Nations. The officer will provide direct support to intergovernmental bodies, manage meetings, and represent the ECIDC at various forums. Additionally, the officer will develop relationships with government officials, negotiate technical assistance programs, and contribute to the division's budget and work plan. The role requires leading data collection and analysis efforts, ensuring accessibility and integration of data for informed decision-making, and performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess substantive knowledge of economic development theories, including macro-financial frameworks and structural transformation approaches. The ability to conduct independent empirical analysis and research, develop economic policies, and analyze data for decision-making is essential. The officer should demonstrate professionalism, teamwork, planning and organizing skills, leadership, and performance management capabilities. The role requires a commitment to gender balance and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or a related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is desirable.

Experience:
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, and application of economic principles in development programs is required. Experience using R for data analysis is essential, with at least five years in data analytics, econometrics, and macroeconomic modeling being desirable. Leadership experience in research or project teams is also preferred, along with familiarity with macroeconomic modeling focused on developing countries and proficiency in using statistical tools such as Stata and Python.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Desirable languages include Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese (Mandarin), and Arabic, with varying levels of proficiency required for each language. Candidates should refer to the UN Language Framework for specific language skill requirements.

Additional Notes:
The position is part of the United Nations Secretariat, which emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its workforce. Female candidates and applicants from underrepresented member states are strongly encouraged to apply. The recruitment process adheres to the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, with a commitment to creating a respectful and inclusive environment. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities may be provided upon request. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.