Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Division on Investment and Enterprise, United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Senior Economic Officer reports to the Director of the Division.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Director, Division on Investment and Enterprise, the Senior Economic Officer will lead sustainable investment and capital markets initiatives and, in doing so, s/he will undertake the following duties: Economic or sectoral analysis • Leads or participates in the formulation, organization and management of mandated programmes of economic analysis and the formulation of possible economic strategies, policies and actions for adoption by the international community and pertaining to sustainable investment and capital market. • Leads or participates in the identification of new or emerging development issues related to sustainable investment and capital market potential concern to the international community, particularly those of a regional or global nature, and designs and develops programmes to address them. • Supervises a team of staff economists undertaking this work. • Commissions economic studies and analyses sustainability practices in investment and finance ecosystems that cannot be undertaken internally. • Conceives, plans and manages expert group meetings, seminars and similar consultations that contribute to the finalization of the work unit’s outputs. • Finalizes reports on sustainable investment and capital market for development for issuance by the United Nations, including substantive inputs to the World Investment Report. • Prepares speeches for senior staff and makes presentations on economic issues for specialist or non-specialist audiences. Intergovernmental support • Provides direct substantive support on development issues to intergovernmental bodies by offering strategic advice, giving technical guidance and assisting in developing a consensus. • Manages the work unit’s contribution to the preparation and management of meetings of intergovernmental bodies. • Represents the organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings on development issues. Technical cooperation • Develops and maintains relations with senior officials of member governments and capital market stakeholders ensures a response to requests for advice and/or assistance on sustainable investment, capital market and private sector related issues and policies. • Negotiates with donor and recipient governments on technical assistance programmes and projects aiming at policies that maximize the developmental gains derived from sustainability practices in investment and finance ecosystems and assist development stakeholders, including stock exchanges. • Organizes and coordinates cooperation among Member States on economic programmes or issues. • Leads or participates in technical cooperation missions. Programme support • Functions as the head of the organizational unit dealing with sustainability practices in investment and finance ecosystems, including stock exchanges • Contributes to the formulation of the medium-term plan, the programme of work and the budget of the unit and participate in the formulation of the organization's overall programme of work and other similar endeavours. • Leads resource mobilization efforts for the division and attends to various administrative matters concerning the larger organizational unit. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development, sustainable investment and capital market in particular. Ability to conduct independent research on economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Ability to develop economic policies to promote sustainability practices in investment and finance ecosystems and make recommendations on their implementation. 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. • 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. • 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. • Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in development economics or related field is required. 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
A specialization in Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Governance and Responsible Investment is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area is required. Out of these, at least seven years of progressively responsible experience in the field of sustainable investment and capital markets is desirable. Proven experience developing and promoting sustainability practices in investment and finance ecosystems is desirable. A background in research and policy analysis on sustainable finance, including capital market potential for development, as evidenced by a publication record on sustainable finance is desirable.