Job Title: ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OFFICER, P5
Department/ Office: ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Duty Station: SANTIAGO
Posting Period: 28 July 2011-26 September 2011
Job Opening number: 11-ECO-ECLAC-20101-R-SANTIAGO
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. ECLAC employs over 600 staff members at its Headquarters in Santiago de Chile, its Subregional Headquarters in Mexico City and Port-of-Spain, and country offices in Buenos Aires, Brasilia, Montevideo and Bogotá, as well as a liaison office in Washington, D.C. Please visit our website at www.eclac.org for further information.
Responsibilities
Under the general guidance of the Chief, Division of Natural Resources and Infrastructure, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:
Guides the Division work programme and monitors its implementation. This leadership function will be accomplished by:
(a) Supervising the formulation, organization and management of mandated programmes on natural resources, regional infrastructure and regulation analysis by developing potential strategies, policies and actions for the development of the region towards a low carbon economy;
(b) Identifying new or emerging development issues of potential concern to the Latin American and Caribbean countries, particularly those related to natural resources and infrastructure services and regulation at the regional or global level, and designing and developing programmes to address them;
(c) Designing new approaches and instruments to enable the comprehensive management of natural resources and/or infrastructure services aiming directed to attaining sustainable development in Latin America and Caribbean;
(d) Following integration processes in the Region’s energy and transportation infrastructure sectors. The incumbent will coordinate activities and will be the focal point of different sub regional initiatives (IIRSA-UNASUR, Mesoamerica Project, Andean Region, Caribbean Community, among others);
(e) Managing all activities included in extra-budgetary projects, particularly those related to strengthening the Regions’ governments capacities in the formulation of projects on natural resources and infrastructure services directed towards achieving a low carbon economy;
(f) Developing and maintaining relations with senior officials of member governments and ensuring responses to requests for advice and/or assistance on the economics of natural resources and/or infrastructure services issues and policies;
(g) Organizing meetings of ad-hoc experts’ groups both at external and internal level;
(h) Leading studies at meetings of governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as at specialized conferences, seminars, workshops and training courses. Organizing and coordinating cooperative activities among Latin American and Caribbean countries on issues related to the Division;
(i) Identifying and managing projects and technical advisory activities to strengthen national capacity building.
Assists the Chief of the Division in:
(a) The coordination of substantive and administrative activities of the Division;
(b) The formulation of proposals for the programme of work and the budget of the Division and participates in the formulation of the organization’s overall programme of work and other similar endeavours;
(c) Attending to various administrative matters; planning and allocating available resources and reporting on programme implementation;
(d) Coaching, supervising and evaluating, according to Un procedures, the regular and extra budgetary staff of the Division.
Performs other official duties:
(a) Represent the Commission at technical and interagency meetings on Division’s matters;
(b) manage the work Division’s contribution to the preparation and management of meeting of intergovernmental bodies;
(c) Performs other official duties as assigned.
Competencies
Professionalism: Ability to apply economic theories to natural resources and/or infrastructure services. Ability to conduct independent research on regulatory issues related to natural resources and/or infrastructure services. Determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different resources. Possesses expertise in project/programme management at national or international levels. Provides technical leadership in overseeing work of the Division’s staff and experts, and assists them to develop professionally. Possesses research, analytical and problem-solving skills. 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.
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 objective. 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 improvement; 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.
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, and 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; and 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
Advance university degree in economics, engineering, or related field with a relevant specialization either in the economics of natural resources or infrastructure services. PhD is desirable. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
At least ten years of progressively responsible relevant experience involving the application of principles and concepts of economics in areas such as management of natural resources, or regulation of infrastructure services - of these, at least five years must have been acquired in Latin America or the Caribbean. Relevant experience includes conducting applied quantitative economics and preparing policy recommendations on natural resources or infrastructure. Experience in national or international development policy, institutional capacity building or technical assistance programmes is required.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written Spanish and working knowledge of English is required, as verified through relevant exams if necessary. Working knowledge of French or Portuguese would be desirable.
Assessment Method
Suitable candidates will be invited for competency-based interviews and other assessment methods, including review of publications.
Special Notice
- 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.
- Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
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