Special Assistant to the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, New York City

Org. Setting and ReportingThe position is located in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General (OUSG), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The incumbent reports, through the Chief of Office, to the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. The Office of the Under-Secretary-General provides support and advice to the Under-Secretary-General and, as appropriate, to the Assistant Secretaries-General on the planning, coordination, management and assessment of the programme of work of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Further information on DESA is available on the following website:

ResponsibilitiesUnder the overall guidance of the Chief of Office, the Special Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: - Prepare policy notes and strategic proposals aimed at devising departmental positions on major development issues, in areas of social, economic and sustainable development, with particular emphasis on international cooperation. - Advise the Under-Secretary-General on programme and policy issues falling under the purview of the Department; monitor new or emerging development issues of concern to the United Nations intergovernmental processes, in areas of social, economic and sustainable development. - Oversee the flow of correspondence addressed to and originating from the Under-Secretary-General. - Ensure effective preparations, support for and follow-up to meetings of the Under-Secretary-General with senior representatives of Member States, senior officials of the UN system and representatives of the civil society, and in this regard, coordinate and consult with Directors and other senior staff of DESA divisions and offices, and other offices of the UN secretariat, as necessary. - Assist the Under-Secretary-General in coordinating substantive preparations for the relevant discussions of the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council and for the support of ECOSOC functional commissions, committees and expert bodies and other major activities which require leadership or oversight of the Head of the Department. - Serve as DESA\u2019s key liaison person with officials at all levels inside and outside the organization; liaise on behalf of the Under-Secretary-General with delegations to the intergovernmental bodies and establish collaborative partnerships. Be an active member of the team of the Office of the Under-Secretary-General and perform other duties in support to senior management processes, as required.

CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM - Knowledge of economic, social, and sustainable development. - Knowledge of the UN system, its programmes and on economic and social affairs and development. - Ability to apply analytical skills in economic, social and sustainable development issues. - Knowledge of the mandates, operations and priorities of development-focused intergovernmental processes and mechanisms at the international level, including their dynamics, linkages and interdependencies. - Shows pride in work and 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. 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 the audience. - Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. TEAMWORK - Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. - Solicits input by genuinely valuing others\u2019 ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. - Places team agenda before personal agenda. - Supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. - Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. LEADERSHIP - Serves as a role model that other people want to follow - Empowers others to translate vision into results. - Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. - Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. - Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. - Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. - Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. - Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. - Demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING - Identifies the key issues in a complex situation and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. - Gathers relevant information before making a decision. - Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. - Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. - Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. - Checks assumptions against facts. - Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. - Makes tough decisions when necessary.

EducationAn advanced university degree (Master\u2019s degree or equivalent degree) in social development, economics, political science, public administration, communications, international relations or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific QualificationNot available.

Work ExperienceA minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in international relations, socioeconomic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of socioeconomic principles in development programmes or related areas is required. Experience in the areas of economic, social and sustainable development at the international and national level is required. Experience supporting senior officials in an intergovernmental or diplomatic setting is required.

LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult for details).