Special Notice- Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.
- 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.
Org. Setting and ReportingThis post is located within the Palestine Unit of the Emerging and Conflict-related Issues Division (ECRI) in the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The Economic Affairs Officer reports directly to the Director of ECRI.
ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following areas
Economic and/or sector analysis
•Develops political and socio-economic databases and qualitative information necessary for specified recurrent or ad hoc assignments on the local and regional ramifications of conflict and occupation in the Middle East and their spill over effects.
•Interprets, applies and, as necessary, adapts quantitative analysis methods to determine socio-economic trends, patterns and relationships and to analyse the effects of alternative policies and assumptions on the Palestinian people, as well as on populations of conflict-affected countries in the region.
•Drafts specified inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on measuring the long-term cumulative and multi-layered impact of the Israeli occupation and on selected regional, national or sector aspects of Palestinian economic development.
•Identifies and analyses policy proposals made elsewhere relating to Palestinian economy.
•Liaises with UN agencies for inputs to the division’s work and with ESCWA’s divisions to initiate cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary projects to address the impact of occupation on Palestinian development
•Attends international, regional, and national meetings to collect information and to hold discussions with colleagues in other institutions.
•Assists in the organization and servicing of special events in the observance of the International day of solidarity with the Palestinian people, as well as, of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues.
•Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.
Intergovernmental support
•Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies.
•Follows intergovernmental meetings and prepares summary reports.
•Prepares inputs to statements by members of the Bureau and Secretariat staff to such meetings.
•Assists in the organization of panels, round tables etc. on development issues for intergovernmental processes.
Technical cooperation
•Participates in missions on development issues, usually as a member of a team.
•Organizes training seminars for national experts.
•Prepares documentation for technical cooperation programmes and projects in occupied Palestinian territory and in conflict affected countries in the region.
•Contributes to the preparation of material for the approval of regional, country or sector technical cooperation projects.
•Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects.
General
•Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of ECRI’s work program.
•Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.
Competencies•Professionalism: Ability to apply political and economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development in the occupied Palestinian territory and within conflict afflicted contexts of the Middle East. Ability to conduct independent research on political and economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing sources for data collection. 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.
•Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, political economy, political science or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work ExperienceA minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in political economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area. Experience working in conflict/post conflict countries is desirable. Experience working on the Palestinian economy is desirable.
LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency in written and spoken Arabic is highly desirable.
AssessmentThe shortlisted candidates will undergo a substantive assessment related to the functions of the post in addition to a competency-based interview. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
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.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The screening and 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, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: 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 a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.
