Senior Economic Affairs Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the Office of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in Bogota. ECLAC is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations, established in 194

• Its mission is to contribute to the economic and social development of the region by designing, monitoring, and evaluating public policies, providing advisory services, expertise, and training to governments, and supporting regional and international cooperation and coordination activities. ECLAC operates in various countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on sustainable development and social inclusion. For more information, visit www.eclac.org.

Job Overview:
The Senior Economic Affairs Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting the work of the ECLAC Office in Bogota. This position requires a proactive individual who can independently identify and monitor substantive aspects of the office's work. The assistant will be responsible for selecting and evaluating a variety of documents, summarizing pertinent material, collecting and analyzing data, and preparing background materials for assessment papers, studies, briefs, and reports. The role also involves assisting in formulating project proposals and coordinating the day-to-day monitoring and implementation of these projects. The assistant will produce analytical, quantitative, and qualitative elements required for the elaboration of documents and reports, and will carry out preparatory work for organizing Committee/Task Force meetings and workshops. This includes drafting agendas and procedural notes for various committees, liaising with relevant parties both inside and outside the organization, and drafting and editing complex technical texts. The position may also involve mission or fieldwork to support these activities, as well as providing guidance and support to junior staff, reviewing work assignments, and contributing to performance evaluations. Overall, the Senior Economic Affairs Assistant is expected to assist with data collection and analysis, prepare data presentations and reports, and contribute to knowledge management and decision-making processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Economic Affairs Assistant include:

• Independently identifying and monitoring substantive aspects of the work of the Office.
• Selecting and evaluating a variety of documents, summarizing pertinent material, collecting and analyzing data, and preparing background materials for assessment papers, studies, briefs, and reports.
• Assisting in formulating project proposals and coordinating the day-to-day monitoring and implementation of these projects.
• Producing analytical, quantitative, and qualitative elements required for the elaboration of documents and reports contained in the regular work programme and extraordinary work assigned to the Office.
• Carrying out preparatory work for and assisting in organizing Committee/Task Force meetings and workshops, including drafting agendas and procedural notes.
• Liaising with relevant parties both outside (delegates, NGOs) and inside the Organization.
• Drafting and editing complicated, complex, and often technical texts.
• Preparing newsletters on programme/project-related activities and drafting inputs for a wide range of documents/reports, briefings/debriefings, and correspondence.
• Undertaking mission/field work in support of the above activities as needed. 1
• Providing guidance and support to more junior staff, reviewing work assignments, and providing training and inputs to performance evaluations. 1
• Assisting with the collection and analysis of data, as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning, and decision-making. 1
• Assisting with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. 1
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Senior Economic Affairs Assistant position include a high school diploma or equivalent. Candidates must clearly indicate in their Applicant Profile (AP) relevant information confirming completion of high school. Additionally, supplemental training related to economics and development is desirable. Candidates should possess strong analytical skills, the ability to interpret and format a wide range of data, and demonstrate knowledge of the functions and organization of the work unit and the United Nations system. Professionalism, planning and organizing skills, and creativity are essential competencies for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position is a high school diploma or equivalent. For positions in the General Service category, candidates are required to clearly indicate in their Applicant Profile (AP) relevant information confirming completion of high school. Supplemental training related to economics and development is also desirable, indicating a preference for candidates with additional qualifications in these areas.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least ten (10) years of experience in collecting and researching data across various areas of social and economic development or a related area. However, the minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to eight (8) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience in international technical cooperation programs and/or project management or related areas is required. Additionally, experience in providing inputs for policy and political instruments design is necessary, and experience working in or with Latin American and Caribbean countries is desirable. One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or a related area is also desirable.

Languages:
For this job opening, English and Spanish are required. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Candidates must meet the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework. Proficiency in both English and Spanish is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the organization and with external stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Bogota, Colombia, and is likely to be a full-time role. Additional notes regarding contract duration, seniority level, and compensation details may be provided during the application process or upon request. The organization may also consider candidates for international recruitment, depending on the qualifications and experience of the applicants.