Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Trade Facilitation Section of the Trade Logistics Branch within the Division on Technology and Logistics, the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Economic Affairs Officer will report to the Chief of the Trade Facilitation Section.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chief of the Trade Facilitation Section, the Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for: Economic or sector analysis

• Carries out research and analysis on economic, regulatory and policy issues in international trade logistics, WTO topics, including trade facilitation, supply chains and customs issues.
• Drafts specified inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on selected global, regional, national or sector aspects of economic development, in particularly in the area of trade facilitation, supply chains and customs issues.
• Identifies and analyses policy proposals made elsewhere relating to assigned topics.
• As required, attends international, regional, and national meetings to collect information and to hold discussions with colleagues in other institutions.
• 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.
• Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues. Technical cooperation
• Participates in missions on trade logistics and trade facilitation issues, usually as a member of a team.
• Organizes and participates in training seminars for national experts.
• Prepares documentation for technical cooperation programmes and projects.
• 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, including reporting.
• Contribute to the fundraising work towards donors. General
• Coordinates within the section, branch and with other stakeholders trade logistics issues related to e-Commerce developments.
• Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work units services.
• Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally. Competencies
• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development. Ability to conduct independent research on 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.
• 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. Education Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in economics or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job – Specific Qualification Not available. Work Experience A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area is required. At least three years in the field of international trade, trade facilitation, supply chains and customs issues is required. Experience in project management and in organizing capacity-building activities in developing countries and least developed countries is desirable. Experience in technical assistance project implementation of trade facilitation reforms is desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Russian or Spanish or Chinese (Mandarin) is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details). Required Languages Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking English UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III Desirable Languages Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking French UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II Russian UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I Spanish UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I Chinese (Mandarin) UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice
• This position is temporarily available until 31 May 2026. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
• Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.
• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
• This temporary job opening may be limited to internal candidates, who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
• 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.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job…