Regional Adviser

May 22, 2021June 20, 2021BangkokThailand

UN Commissions About

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Job Description

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policy-oriented research and analysis, normative support and technical assistance and capacity building, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region. This position is located in the Subregional Office for South-East Asia (SROSEA) in Bangkok, Thailand. The Regional Adviser on South-East Asia reports directly to the Senior Economic Affairs Officer leading SROSEA.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Regional Adviser on South-East Asia will be responsible for the following duties: •Develops, implements and evaluates assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation and other activities in shaping the overall direction of ESCAP’s strategic engagement in the South-East Asia region and plays a critical role in anticipating and creating new opportunities for ESCAP to better serve government and other stakeholders; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions in support of the ASEAN-UN Comprehensive Partnership. •Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the ASEAN Member States, ASEAN Sectoral working groups and committees, and the ASEAN Secretariat, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan ASEAN will use to manage the change. •Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources on delivering and strengthening collaboration with ESCAP and other UN agencies in technical areas for supporting inclusive, resilient and sustainable development in ASEAN countries, specifically related to climate action, environment, social development, trade and financial integration, and other cross-sectoral issues. •Coordinates policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies on the implementation of the ASEAN-UN Plan of Action (2021-2025) as well as new initiatives such as the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement leveraging on the experiences of previous Plan of Action as well as the various community blueprints of ASEAN Community Vision 2025. •Generates survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions for achieving inclusive and sustainable development, including for the implementation of the ASEAN-UN Complementarities Roadmap (2020-2025). •Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc., to ensure effective responses to complex, multi-sectoral and development solutions in South-East Asia countries. •Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc., including representing ESCAP in high-level policy dialogues and inter-governmental meetings that will position ESCAP as knowledge and programmatic leader in regional development. •Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities for effective institutional and policy positioning in South-East Asia. •Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc., by positioning ESCAP as a valued partner in the delivery of development solutions in line with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and ASEAN Community Vision 2025. •Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.) in order to advance ESCAP’s work and influence policy directions in the region. This includes strong coordination with the ASEAN Secretariat, Committee of Permanent Representatives, Dialogue Partners, ASEAN governments and various sectoral bodies responsible for implementing the ASEAN-UN Plan of Action (2021-2025). •Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, management, economics, law, or a related field. A first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Ph.D. degree in any of the above fields is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required. Experience in economic and social development is desirable. Experience working in Southeast Asia and in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is desirable. Experience working with ASEAN and its intergovernmental and technical processes and mechanisms is desirable. Experience in establishing partnerships with key stakeholders is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. This post is funded under the resources of the Regular Programme of Technical Cooperation. The initial appointment is for a period of one year. Extension of appointment is subject to availability of the funds and to a maximum of five years.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

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