Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Division on Globalization and Development Strategies (DGDS) within the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Geneva. The Chief of Unit will report to the Director of DGDS.

Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Director of the Division, the incumbent will manage the Unit and coordinate the implementation of the enhanced focus on economic cooperation and integration among developing countries in a comprehensive manner. Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

– Conceptualizes the priority areas for research on issues of economic cooperation and integration among developing countries with regard to macroeconomic policy, structural change, trade, finance, investment and technology.
– Leads and supervises a team of researchers in producing analytical reports and policy briefs related to the work programme of the Unit.
– Promotes policies and strategies at the national, regional, inter-regional and international levels, in order to help strengthen economic cooperation and integration among developing countries.
– Designs and leads the timely and effective implementation of UNCTAD’s work programme to address the trade and development issues and opportunities associated with economic cooperation and integration among developing countries.
– Supervises and organizes the substantive servicing of intergovernmental meetings on economic cooperation and integration among developing countries, including the clearance of policy papers; and liaises with senior government officials to provide advice and coordination on issues to be discussed and negotiated in the intergovernmental bodies of UNCTAD.
– In cooperation with other DGDS Branches and UNCTAD Divisions, mobilizes the existing in-house expertise to assist in the work programme on economic cooperation and integration among developing countries.
– Designs and coordinates technical cooperation projects related to the work programme of the Unit.
– Ensures coherence and synergy in the work on economic cooperation and integration among developing countries with all UNCTAD Divisions.
– Liaises with other international and regional organizations to promote inter-agency cooperation and thereby strengthen the support role of the United Nations System in promoting economic and technical cooperation among developing countries.
– Collaborates substantively, through seminars, joint work programmes, publications, etc, with research agencies, particularly in the developing world, working on issues of economic cooperation among developing countries.
– Assists the Director in preparing the work programme of the Unit, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
– Undertakes and oversees the administration and human resources management of the Unit, including the preparation and management of the resources from the regular budget and extrabudgetary sources, performance evaluation procedures, vacancy management and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
– Represents UNCTAD and the Division at high-level international meetings and contributes substantively to discussions and their outcome.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: In-depth knowledge of international macroeconomic, trade, finance and development issues, particularly regarding their implications for economic cooperation and integration among developing countries and for the work of UNCTAD in this area. Proven ability to lead research activities of a unit and produce high-quality reports and papers, as demonstrated in a relevant publication record. Knowledge of the functioning of the United Nations System, particularly in relation to the work programme of the Unit and ability to apply UN rules, regulations and guidelines. 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.

PLANNING AND 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.

CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

VISION: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in economics or related field is required. A first-level university degree in the above-mentioned fields, in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

A PhD in economics or a related field is desirable.

Work Experience

At least 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience dealing with issues of economic development including on integration and cooperation among developing countries is required.

Extensive experience related to issues of trade and development and interrelated issues of finance, investment and technology is desirable.

Published research in international journals on Economic Cooperation and Integration among Developing Countries 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 official UN language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a compentency-based interview.

Special Notice

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 Aug 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Candidate Profile (CP) and motivation statement.

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.

An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

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

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.