Economic Affairs Officer, P3 - ESCAP - Bangkok, Thailand

Job Title: Economic Affairs Officer, P3

Department/ Office: Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Duty Station: BANGKOK

Posting Period: 10 October 2012-16 December 2012

Job Opening number: 12-ECO-ESCAP-25328-R-BANGKOK(G)

Org. Setting and Reporting

The mandate of the United  Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote regional cooperation for inclusive economic and social development in the Asian and Pacific region.  ESCAP's role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership, through its analytical, normative and technical cooperation, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

This position is located in the Transport Infrastructure Section (TIS) in the Transport Division.  The incumbent reports to the Chief, TIS.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, TIS, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions:

Economic or sector analysis:

• Maintain transport database and qualitative information necessary for specified recurrent or ad hoc assignments;
• Monitor intra- and interregional transport infrastructure development and identify recurrent and emerging issues of concern with a special focus on landlocked developing countries;
• Draft specified inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on issues related to transport infrastructure development at the regional, subregional and national levels;
• Analyze policy proposals made elsewhere relating to transport infrastructure development;
• Assist in the preparation, organization, servicing and reporting of expert group meetings, seminars and legislative meetings;
• Prepare speeches and other inputs for presentation by senior staff.

Intergovernmental support:

• Prepare inputs for reports, and provide assistance, to intergovernmental bodies including United Nations Special Programme for Economics in Central Asia (SPECA) Project Working Group on Transport and Border Crossing.

Technical cooperation:

• Organize seminars and workshops, and deliver presentations as well as undertake advisory missions on transport infrastructure issues;
• Prepare documentation (including project proposals, implementation status reports) for technical cooperation programmes and projects; Monitor, backstop and assess the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects in transport infrastructure, including those of other international and subregional organizations concerned, i.e. Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), European Union (EU), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), International Union of Railways (UIC), International Road Federation (IRF), International Road Transport Union (IRU), Organization for Cooperation between Railways (OSJD), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Bangladesh-India-Myanmar-Sri Lanka-Thailand Economic Cooperation (BIMST-EC), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia  (TRACECA), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), etc. with the aim to promote cooperation and avoid duplication.

General:

• Perform other related tasks and duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the Section’s/Division’s services, including inputs to the Strategic Framework and biennial Programme Budget.

Competencies • PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply transport planning theories and concepts to issues of concern to the region.  Ability to conduct independent research on transport 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. • 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 (Master’s degree or equivalent) in transport planning, transport economics or a 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.     Work Experience   A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in research and analysis, policy formulation and/or application of economic principles in transport development programmes.  Experience (at least three years) in transport research and analysis is desirable.   Experience gained through involvement with industry, governments, international organizations and research organizations dealing with transport development in Asia and the Pacific is desirable.   Relevant IT skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office and web-based applications, required.

Languages
	English and French are the working languages of the United nations Secretariat.  For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.  Knowledge of Russian is desirable.  Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
		Assessment Method
	Qualified applicants will be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.
		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.
		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.
		No Fee
	THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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