Economic Affairs Officer

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Position Title: Economic Affairs Officer
Location: Geneva
Country: Switzerland
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The position is within the Market Access Section (MAS) of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Division (ECTD) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The UNECE was established to promote economic cooperation and integration among its member states, focusing on sustainable development and trade. It operates in 56 member countries across Europe, North America, and Central Asia, with a mission to foster economic growth and improve living standards through regional cooperation. The organization employs a diverse workforce dedicated to addressing economic challenges and promoting sustainable practices.

Job Overview:
The Economic Affairs Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the Steering Committee on Trade Capacity and Standards and its subsidiary bodies. The incumbent will be responsible for planning and organizing meetings, preparing agendas, documentation, and reports, and disseminating information effectively. The role requires advising on priorities and changes to the work program, liaising with various stakeholders including government, private sector, and academic experts on trade and sustainable development issues. The officer will coordinate with other international organizations and initiatives, draft research papers, and analyze trends in international trade. Additionally, the position involves contributing to capacity-building activities and supporting countries in implementing recommendations, as well as engaging with stakeholders on trade-related issues.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the servicing of the Steering Committee on Trade Capacity and Standards and its subsidiary bodies by planning meetings, preparing agendas, and disseminating information.
• Advise on priorities and changes to the program of work.
• Liaise with relevant Working Parties and Teams of Specialists, particularly on gender-responsive standards and other trade-related issues.
• Coordinate with international organizations and initiatives to enhance collaboration on trade and sustainable development.
• Draft research papers and analytical studies on trade-related issues, including regulatory barriers to trade.
• Manage requests from member states and raise extra-budgetary funds for research projects.
• Analyze trends in international trade and formulate policy recommendations.
• Finalize publications and ensure the quality of printed materials.
• Contribute to capacity-building activities by planning workshops and training courses. 1
• Represent UNECE’s trade-related work in national, regional, and international processes. 1
• Engage with stakeholders and support networks on trade and sustainable development issues. 1
• Respond to requests from the Chief of Section and participate in information sharing within the Division.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, law, international relations, business administration, trade, or a related field.
• A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable economic development, including trade-related issues.
• Experience in organizing and servicing international meetings is required.
• Experience in preparing reports and research or policy documents is required.
• Desirable experience includes drafting policy briefs and mobilizing extra-budgetary resources.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as economics, law, international relations, business administration, or trade. Alternatively, a first-level university degree along with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable economic development, particularly in trade-related issues. Candidates should have experience in organizing international meetings, preparing reports, and drafting policy documents. Desirable experience includes mobilizing extra-budgetary resources and managing projects related to sustainable economic development, especially in Central Asia, Southern Caucasus, Western Balkan, and Eastern Europe.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French or Russian is desirable, as these are also working languages within the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE).

Additional Notes:
The United Nations is committed to diversity and encourages applications from under-represented member states. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The recruitment process emphasizes the importance of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. The position may involve periodic relocation to different duty stations as per organizational needs. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.