Chief Trade Information Section – UNCTAD jobs in Switzerland

Within delegated authority, the Chief of the Trade Information Section will be responsible for the following functions: • Leads the implementation of UNCTAD’s Non-Tariff Measures and Voluntary Standards Programme. • Coordinates with the Trade Policy Research Section and other units in the Division on International Trade and Commodities in conducting studies and analysis on trade issues in accordance with intergovernmental work programme. • Provides policy guidance to the Chief of Branch, on conceptual strategy development and management of the implementation of overall strategies and intra and inter-divisional policies and procedures. • Plans and oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Section; ensures that substantive work programmes and programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion, coordinating diverse projects in the Section, and, in liaison with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate. • Manages, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Section under his/her responsibility, which includes the development of trade databases, analytical tools and dissemination portals, including the Trade Analysis and Information System (TRAINS). Co-ordinates the work carried out by the Section; provides programmatic and substantive reviews of databases and drafts prepared by others. • Provides substantive input in the preparation of position papers and reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. • Contributes to the reporting to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports. • Ensures that the outputs produced by the Section maintain high-quality standards; that data are correct; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Section under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. • Prepares inputs for the work programme of the Branch, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. • Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates. • Recruits staff for the Section taking due account geographical and gender balance and other institutional values. • Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision. • Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Section and across organizational boundaries. • Represents the Organization at inter-agency meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive-related issues. • Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or hold programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in economics, statistics or related area is required. A first-level university degree in economics, statistics or a related area in combination with two additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, and application of economic principles in development programmes or a related area is required. A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the compilation and analysis of trade related policy data is required. Experience in leading data processing teams is desirable. Experience in applied economic development research is desirable. Experience in fund raising and implementing technical cooperation projects in the area of trade is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.