ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OFFICER, Geneva, Switzerland

## ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OFFICER, Geneva, Switzerland - Organization:UNDRR - United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Office:UNDRR HQ Geneva Organizational Setting and Reporting Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 160 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. Under the 2026-2030 strategic Framework, UNDRR intends to accelerate its support to member states and in close cooperation with financial sector partners, support fast-track financing for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and ensure investments are de-risked by fostering strategic engagements, advocacy and generating guidance with evidence. This project position is located in the Inter-governmental processes, Inter-agency cooperation and Partnerships Branch in Geneva. The incumbent reports to the Deputy Chief of the Branch under the overall authority of the Chief of Branch. Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: Economic or sector analysis: - Monitors economic developments in a defined area and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the United Nations. - Designs and conducts studies of selected issues in economic development and draft resulting reports. - Develops draft policy recommendations pertaining to area of work. - Formulates proposals for development strategies, policies and measures for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and others. - In coordination with regional offices, engages in supporting United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs), National governments and other partners in accelerating access to financing and risk-informed investment. - Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff. Intergovernmental support - Provides substantive support on economic issues to intergovernmental bodies (such as the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Financing for Development (FFD), and relevant regional subsidiary bodies. - Represents organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings. Technical cooperation: - Coordinates the delivery of the financing for disaster risk reduction catalytic area of focus, working in cooperation with regional offices and external partners. - Engages the private financial sector in supporting the delivery of Sendai Framework targets. - 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 global, regional, national or sector analyses that provide a basis for advising national governments on economic development issues. - Conducts training seminars and workshops for government officials and others. - Supports and coordinates the planning, implementation and evaluation of UNDRR policies and programming on risk-informed investment across various global and regional initiatives. General - Supports junior staff, reviewing their work and providing feedback. - Participates in intra- and inter-branch 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 unit’s service. - Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally. - 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. 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.Ability to apply a human rights- and gender-based approach in UNDRR’s work to promote inclusion and uphold the principle of leaving no one behind. - 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. - Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific Qualification A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, economic policy formulation, application of economic principles in international development programmes or related area is required. Two years of experience in disaster risk reduction financing initiatives is required. Experience of working in LDCs, SIDS or emerging markets on financing initiatives is desirable. Experience in building strategic alliances and partnerships in financial and private sector is desirable. Experience of working in global or regional multilateral development financing institutions/banks is desirable. Experience of sustainable finance initiatives, lending and investment practices, as well as compliance and regulatory regimes is desirable. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either SpanishorArabicorChinese (Mandarin)orRussianorFrench is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details)