UN ESCAP - United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Bangkok, Thailand

Org. Setting and Reporting

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policy-oriented research and analysis, normative support and technical assistance and capacity building, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.
This position is located in the Section on Countries in Special Situations. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Section.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Section, and overall supervision of the Principal Officer of the Office of the Executive Secretary, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions:

• Provides substantive support to the regional process of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including through the preparation of intergovernmental meetings, sub-regional consultations, and other initiatives related to the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, preparation of background documents, liaison with member States and major stakeholders, meeting servicing, consolidation and reporting of outcomes;
• Prepares and coordinates studies on specific economic, environmental and social issues to be considered at the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development on the basis of the outcomes of the subregional preparatory Meetings and background documents; and institutionalizes the Forum process, and ensures that the views expressed by Member States are clearly reflected and considered at the Forum;
• Undertakes research, develops publications and formulates policy advice on sustainable development to support the delivery of the regional roadmap for sustainable development and in line with the Section’s work programme and ESCAP’s mandate;
• Monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and sustainable development issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions;
• Researches, analyzes sustainable development issues and presents information gathered from diverse sources;
• Coordinates engagement of Major Groups and other Stakeholders in the Regional processes of the Follow-up and Review of the 2030 Agenda, (including the APFSD)
• Develops draft policy recommendations on sustainable development issues, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies;
• Organizes and prepares written outputs on sustainable development issues, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.;
• Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations on sustainable development issues;
• Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;
• Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.;
• Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.);
• Prepares inputs for presentations by senior staff on sustainable development issues;
• Performs other duties as required.

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;
• Planning & 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 (master's degree or equivalent) in development economics, sustainable development, environment and/ economics, public policy, public administration, finance, natural resources management, engineering, law, social sciences or related field is required;
• A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the area of sustainable development, related to policy formulation, support of intergovernmental processes, application of sustainable development principles and concepts in project or programme management, administration, or related areas, is required;
• Experience with the organization of intergovernmental meetings related to sustainable development is required;
• Experience with multi-stakeholder coordination on the context of sustainable development or related area is required;
• Experience with inter-agency or interorganizational collaboration in the development sector is required;
• Experience within the UN system, or international organizations is required;
• Experience on sustainable development related projects, programmes and/or initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region is desirable;
• Experience in research and analysis in the sustainable development field as demonstrated through authored publication/s 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 UN official language is an advantage.