Job Title: SOCIAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, P4
Department/ Office: Economic and Social Commission for Asia
and the Pacific
Duty Station: BANGKOK
Posting Period: 19 October 2012-25 December 2012
Job Opening number: 12-SOC-ESCAP-25273-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 Social Policy and Population
Section, in the Social Development Division.
The incumbent reports to the Chief, Social Policy and Population
Section.
Responsibilities
Under the general direction of the Chief, Social Development
Division, and direct supervision of the Chief, Social Policy and Population
Section, the incumbent is responsible for the following duties:
Social Analysis
·
Proposes, designs and carries out substantive
research projects analyzing ageing trends and legal and policy environments and
their interrelationships with social and economic development as an input to
government policy and programme formulation; assesses implications and develops
proposals with respect to social development and social protection policies and
interventions.
·
Develop approaches for the consideration of
issues, analyze policies, programmes and initiatives undertaken by public and
private sector entities and elaborate policy recommendations for the
consideration of intergovernmental bodies and member States, in the areas of
social, political, economic and legal issues related to social development in
general, and population ageing in particular.
·
Liaise
with other intergovernmental organizations, government bodies, NGOs and
academic institutions to exchange ideas and to enlist support for research
analysis and other initiatives; ensure that lessons learned are disseminated
and incorporated into development programmes and other initiatives, including
gender-related dimensions; liaise with officials of governments,
representatives of national and regional organizations and United Nations
entities.
·
Plans, organizes and provides substantial
servicing of ad hoc expert group meetings, conferences, seminars, workshops on
ageing-related issues to include identification and selection of participants,
development of background documentation, preparation of reports, documents,
policy recommendations and analytical briefs based on the outcome of such
meetings.
·
Prepares a variety of studies, reports,
background papers, parliamentary documentation, etc. on a wide range of social
development and related issues.
Intergovernmental Support
·
Provides substantive support and secretariat
services to the Committee on Social Development in its consideration of ageing
and social development issues; and organize and participate in interagency and
expert group meetings on the seminars on the subject assigned; draft related
reports as required.
·
Represents organizational unit at international,
regional and national meetings.
·
Organizes panels and round tables on ageing and
social development issues for intergovernmental processes.
Technical Cooperation
·
Provide technical assistance to ESCAP members
and associate members, on request, to build national capacity in promoting the
rights of older persons.
·
Designs, monitors, backstop and assesses the
implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects.
·
Undertakes missions to member states, either
alone or as a participant in a diverse team, as part of the Organization’s
technical cooperation activities and/or in support of the work programme.
·
Prepares regional, national or sectoral analyses
that provide a basis for advising national governments on social development
issues.
·
Conducts training seminars and workshops for
government officials and others.
·
Formulates technical modalities for the
evaluation of individual technical cooperation projects.
General
·
May participate in planning and preparation of
unit budget and work program and in the administration of the day-to-day
operations of the unit, including personnel responsibilities of the unit.
·
Provides leadership and work direction to
assigned work team, and/or mentors and supervises the work of new/junior
officers.
·
Prepares statements on social and economic
issues for the Under Secretary-General, as required.
·
Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
·
Professionalism:
Knowledge of social development and related fields. Ability to apply
principles and concepts of socio-economic development in relation to
government, the private sector, civil society and international organizations.
Ability to apply modern techniques of analyzing social phenomena. Ability to
conduct conceptual and strategic analyses.
Ability to analyze and articulate the social dimension of complex issues.
Problem-solving skills. Ability to use sound judgment in applying technical
expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems. Very good
knowledge of region or country of assignment, including the political, economic
and social dimensions. Ability to relate
socio-economic issues, trends and perspectives, including gender issues,
to social development initiatives/programmes in affected country/region. Strong
negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement. Ability
to work under pressure. Very good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies
and guidelines pertaining to social affairs. Sound knowledge of the
institutions of the UN system. Excellent research skills and demonstrated
ability to complete in-depth studies and to formulate conclusions/recommendations.
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.
·
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.
·
Accountability: Takes ownership of all
responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has
responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in
compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates,
provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes
personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work
unit, where applicable.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent)
in law, sociology, economics, or a related social science. 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 seven years of progressively responsible
professional experience in socio economic development, policy analysis, research on policy and legal
environments, or related area is required.
Experience at the international level is required. Experience in the design and conduct of
studies on aging trends and/or social protection is desirable. Experience in the Asia-Pacific region is
desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United
Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is
required. 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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