event 31 Mar 2020

Vacancy // Economic Affairs Officer (Nexus)

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA) in Beirut, Lebanon, is offering a position as an Economic Affairs Officer in its cluster 1: ‘Climate change and natural resource sustainability’ of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.

Serveimagefejn6xty

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This position is in Cluster 1: ‘Climate change and natural resource sustainability’ of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA - unescwa.org). The objective of Cluster 1 is to advance climate action and integrated and sustainable policies in the areas of water, energy and food security.

Under the overall supervision of the Cluster Lead, the incumbent reports to the Chief of the Food and Environment Policies.

Responsibilities

The Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Economic or sector analysis:
• Monitors sustainable / environmental development issues in the region and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the United Nations.
• Designs and conducts substantive studies of selected issues in environment and environmental sector and draft resulting reports.
• Interprets and applies results of modelling applications to analysis of waste management, climate change, circular economy, sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and SDGs-related environmental dimension prospects and policies.
• Develops draft policy recommendations pertaining to area of work.
• Develops and formulates extra-budgetary projects.
• Formulates proposals for development strategies, policies and measures for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and others.
• Attends international, regional, and national meetings to hold discussions with representatives of other institutions on issues related to environment and climate change.
• Organizes and contributes to expert group meetings, seminars and workshops on environmental and sustainable development issues.
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.

Intergovernmental support
• Provides substantive support environment and sustainability issues to intergovernmental regional bodies.
• Provides substantive support to the UN Regional Coordination Group with its related issues-based coalitions and other similar platforms on topics related to environment, circular economy and climate change.
• Represents organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings.

Technical cooperation:
• Designs and monitors technical cooperation 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.
• Prepares regional, national or sector analyses that provide a basis for advising national governments on environmental issues in the region.
• Conducts training seminars and workshops for government officials and others.
• Formulates technical modalities for the evaluation of individual technical cooperation projects.

General
• Supports junior staff, reviewing their work and providing feedback.
• Participates in intra- and inter-Departmental undertakings of broader concern to represent the views or interests of the organizational unit.
• Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work section’s service.;
• Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches in different sectors. Ability to conduct independent research and write reports on sustainability and environment related topics as well as nature-based solutions to climate change, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Ability to identify and develop 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& 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 one or more of the following disciplines: environment science, environmental economics, water, sustainable development, natural resources, economics or other related fields is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A PhD in a relevant field is desirable.

Work Experience

1. A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in environmental economics, project management, research, technology, sustainable development, or economic research, particularly on topics related to circular economy, sustainability, environment or climate change is required.
2. Experience related to the above topics in the Arab Region is desirable.

Languages

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. Fluency in Arabic 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.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates will include assessment(s) and a competency-based interview.

Submission Deadline

17 April 2020

How to apply

Josh´s Water Jobs

Stay up to date!

We inform you about current projects, events, actions, publications and news!