Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Energy and Natural Resources Unit, in the Subregional Headquarters of ECLAC in Mexico City. The Economic Affairs Assistant reports to the Chief of the Energy and Natural Resources Unit.

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the five regional Commissions of the United Nations. It was founded in 1948 with the purpose of contributing to the region’s economic and social development. Its mission includes the design, monitoring and evaluation of public policies and the provision of advisory services, expertise and training to Governments, as well as support for regional and international cooperation and coordination activities. Please visit our website at www.eclac.org for further information.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of Chief of the Energy and Natural Resources Unit, the Economic Affairs Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Assists in identifying and monitoring substantive aspect of the work of the Unit in various regions/countries. Selects and evaluates a variety of documents, summarize pertinent material, collects and analyses data and prepares background materials for assessment papers, studies, briefs and reports.
• Systematically follows through and retrieves, highlights and compiles information from a wide variety of information sources; prepares input for the electronic database and the internet and co-operate with research institutes and organizations in the collection of data. Assembles and examines original statistical material to ensure accuracy, clarity and validity; makes appropriate adjustments. Designs, prepares and maintains a country profile for each country assigned to the Unit.
• Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables, and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Prepares a variety of reports, presentations, tables, lists, charts, data sets, and/or diagrams for information in order to facilitate the in-depth analysis of the retrieved information by the supervisor and other users.
• Participates in the substantive and policy discussions of the Unit.
• Maintains and expands contacts with other departments in the Secretariat, as well as the UN agencies and programmes and other organizations relevant to the region, and co-ordinate the input of other departments in the collection of data for assignments received.
• Prepares, maintains and updates files (electronic and paper) and internal databases; designs and generates a variety of periodic and ad hoc reports, statistical tables, charts, graphs, and other background materials/notes to facilitate inspection and other reviews.
• Drafts programme/project summaries, co-ordinates review and clearance process and co-ordinates with editor, translation services, etc., on finalization and publication of reports in multiple languages.
• Identifies the organizational requirements for conferences and meetings and assists in the preparation of documentation and reports for these meetings.
• Attends a variety of meetings to follow discussions, takes notes and prepares summary report, notes
for the file, correspondence, etc.
• Provides guidance and training to new/junior staff
• Performs other related work as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making. Knowledge of research methodologies, data collection and maintenance. Ability to identify, extract, analyse and format data from a wide variety of standard and non-standard sources. 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.

• 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.

• Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

NOTE: 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.

Job – Specific Qualification

Supplemental technical or university courses in a field of Engineering and/or Energy or related fields is required.

Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

Seven years of progressive experience in collecting or researching data across various areas of social and economic development, sustainable development, natural resources and/or the energy sector or related area is required.

Two (2) years of experience in database maintenance is desirable.

Experience in projections, forecasts and scenario building is desirable.

Experience in the subregion (Central America, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Haiti and/or Mexico) is desirable.

One (1) year of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Spanish is a working language of ECLAC.

For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; and fluency in Spanish is required.

Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Knowledge of the second language (English/Spanish) will be tested unless it can be supported by a certificate from a recognized institution.

NOTE: ‘Fluency’’ equals a rating of ‘’fluent’’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and ‘’intermediate knowledge’’ equals a rating of ‘’confident’’ or “fluent’ in two of the four areas.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

– Appointment for positions in the General Service category is done on a local basis. Applicants shall be
recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office, irrespective of nationality and length of
time the candidate may have been in the country. Applicants will be responsible for any expenses incurred
in taking the relevant examinations at the duty station, and of any costs related to traveling and relocating to
the duty station in the event of an employment offer.
– A staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only
apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to
section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments.
– The expression “Internal candidates” shall mean staff members who have been recruited after a
competitive examination under staff rule 4.16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule
4.15. Please note that candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of
the Charter as well as the requirements of the position.
– The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all
its human resources, 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 and/or violations of international
human rights law and international humanitarian law.
– For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. For more details on the
administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. The Staff Regulations, Staff
Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at:
http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English Staff members of the United Nations common system
organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the
current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.
– The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical
diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
– 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with
disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and
indicated in the application.

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

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.