The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) forms part of the United Nations Secretariat and, like the other regional commissions, operates under the supervision of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. ESCWA comprises 20 Arab countries in Western Asia and North Africa. ESCWA provides a framework for the formulation and harmonization of sectoral policies for member countries, a platform for congress and coordination, a home for expertise and knowledge, and an information observatory. ESCWA activities are coordinated with the divisions and main offices of the Headquarters of the United Nations, specialized agencies, and international and regional organizations, including the League of Arab States and its subsidiary bodies, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
This position is located in the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in the Climate Change and Natural Resource Sustainability Cluster. The Economic Affairs Officer works under the overall supervision of the Climate Change and Natural Resource Sustainability Cluster Leader and reports directly to a Senior Economic Affairs Officer on Energy.
Within delegated authority, the duties of the Economic Affairs Officer fall mainly into the three functional areas below.
Economic or sector analysis
• Conducts substantive and programmatic activities that promote the use of small-scale renewable energy technologies in the Arab region.
• Works with project partner agencies to facilitate the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of project activities.
• Reviews project-related documents and reports; identifies potential problems and issues to be addressed and recommends corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties to implement solutions; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
• Contributes to the preparation and drafting of concept notes, project proposals, project documents, progress reports and the organization of project review meetings and evaluation missions, in coordination with internal and external counterparts.
• Drafts TORs for key inputs and assists in the review of deliverables provided by consultants and contractors.
• Reviews and monitors developments in sustainable energy policies and technologies and assesses their applicability for Arab countries and possible barriers to their adoption.
• Interprets data and indicators related to sustainable energy generation and use, applies and, as necessary, adapts econometric models to determine trends, patterns and relationships and to analyse the effects of alternative policies and assumptions.
• Drafts specified inputs for technical papers, publications and analytical studies on selected global, regional, national or sector aspects of sustainable energy transitions.
• Identifies and analyses policy proposals on sustainable energy related issues from a socio-economic and environmental perspective, including climate change considerations.
• Supports the drafting, review and finalization of training materials and technical reports.
• Attends international, regional, and national meetings to collect information and contributes to discussions with colleagues in other institutions.
• Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, workshops, seminars, etc. on energy-related sustainable development issues.
• Prepares speeches, power points and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.
Intergovernmental support
• Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies.
• Follows intergovernmental meetings and prepares summary reports.
• Assists in the organization of panels, round tables etc. on sustainable energy issues for intergovernmental processes.
Technical cooperation
• Provides and contributes to advisory services and technical assistance to stakeholders and member States on sustainable energy related topics and projects.
• Participates in missions on sustainable energy issues, usually as a member of a team.
• Organizes 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.
General
• Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work.
• Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.
• Professionalism: Ability to apply technical knowledge and concepts in different energy sectors with respect to sustainable development. Ability to conduct independent research on sustainable energy topics and determine the suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Ability to prepare concept notes and project documents for resource mobilization. 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.
• Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in sustainable energy, economics, business, electrical, mechanical or electromechanical engineering, or related field is required.
A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable energy research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area is required.
Relevant experience working with Arab States on sustainable energy issues at the national and/or regional level is desirable.
Demonstrated experience drafting and editing reports and technical materials on energy is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. In addition, Arabic is a working language at ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English is required.
Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.
Knowledge of French is desirable.
Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.
Evaluation of qualified applicants will include one or more assessments which will be followed by a competency-based interview.
• This position is available for one year from the date of appointment/assignment. Extension of the appointment/assignment is subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval, extension of the mandate, continued need for services, and satisfactory performance.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations.
• Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.
• For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 November 2022, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.
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