Chief of Branch, E-Commerce and Digital Economy

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the E-Commerce and Digital Economy Branch of the Division on Technology and Logistics at 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 operates in over 190 countries and employs a diverse workforce committed to fostering sustainable development and economic growth.

Job Overview:
The Chief of Branch will lead the E-Commerce and Digital Economy Branch, reporting directly to the Director of the Division. This role involves formulating and implementing the substantive work programme of the Branch, ensuring that activities are managed effectively and in a timely manner. The Chief will coordinate work across various units within the Division and with other UN organizations, ensuring high-quality outputs that meet the required standards. The position requires a strong understanding of ICT, e-commerce, and digital economy issues, as well as the ability to manage a technical cooperation programme and build effective relationships with stakeholders. The Chief will also oversee the preparation of reports for intergovernmental bodies and represent the Division at various meetings, providing substantive expertise on relevant issues.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Chief of Branch will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including overseeing the management of the Branch's activities, coordinating work across different units, and ensuring timely delivery of outputs. The Chief will prepare reports for intergovernmental bodies, manage the budget and performance evaluations, recruit staff while considering geographical balance, and foster teamwork within the Branch. Additionally, the Chief will lead the organization of meetings and seminars, participate in discussions with representatives of other institutions, and represent the Division at international, regional, or national meetings. The role also involves ensuring that all outputs produced by the Branch maintain high-quality standards and comply with relevant mandates.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess expert knowledge in ICT, e-commerce, and digital economy, with strong analytical capabilities. The ability to manage and build effective professional relationships with stakeholders, including donors, is essential. Candidates should demonstrate professionalism, effective communication skills, creativity in problem-solving, leadership qualities, and sound judgment in decision-making. The role requires a commitment to gender balance and the ability to incorporate gender perspectives into all areas of work.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, law, business administration, or a related area is required. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in economics, law, business administration, or a related field is required. Candidates should have at least seven years of experience in the digital economy and experience leading programmes and technical cooperation projects in the area of eTrade. Experience with fundraising and reporting on programmatic activities, as well as managing multiple teams, is desirable.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in English is required, while knowledge of Spanish, Russian, Chinese (Mandarin), Arabic, or French is desirable. The required language proficiency levels are specified according to the UN Language Framework.

Additional Notes:
The position is subject to the United Nations' commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from underrepresented Member States. Staff members are required to submit a financial disclosure statement and fulfill lateral or geographical move requirements. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request.