Temporary Job Opening
Job Title, Level:
Social Affairs Officer, P-3
Office:
Social Integration Section (SIS), Social Development Division (SDD)
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
Location:
Bangkok, Thailand
Posting Period:
24 December 2014 – 7 January 2015
Duration:
Starting 12 March 2015 until 6 November 2015.
Temporary JO number:
14-P-044-SDD-SIS-P-3-TEMP-BANGKOK
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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 Integration Section (SIS) in the Social Development Division
(SDD). The incumbent reports to the Chief, SIS.
Responsibilities
Under the general direction of the Director, Social Development Division, and direct supervision of
the Chief, Social Integration Section, the Social Affairs Officer is responsible for the following duties:
Social Analysis
1. Participates in the analysis of social development issues, with a focus on social protection,
youth and disability at the regional and national levels; undertakes empirical research and
analysis of trends and developments and related policy issues relevant to the unit/departmental
mandate, projects and initiatives; recommends proposals for inclusion in reports to
intergovernmental bodies, member states.
2. Develops indicators and methodologies for review and evaluation of specific topics relating to
social protection, youth and disability issues.
3. Liaises and partners with key stakeholders including policymakers, experts from research
institutes and academia, and organizations of the UN system, to discuss issues related to social
integration, exchanges views on latest findings, policy guidelines, new models of developments
and advocate to ensure socially inclusive developments.
4. Assists in the planning, organizing and servicing of technical and ad hoc expert group meeting;
drafting reports and preparing summaries of meetings.
5. Represents the work unit at international and other meetings; organize and participate in
working groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on
social and economic development related matters.
6. Prepares/contributes to the preparation of various written reports, documents and
communications, e.g. drafts reports or sections of analytical reports, studies, background
papers, parliamentary documents, briefings, correspondence.
Intergovernmental support
7. Provides support to intergovernmental processes dealing with social development issues by:
preparing inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies; following intergovernmental meetings
and preparing summary reports; preparing inputs to statements by members of the bureau and
Secretariat staff to such meetings; assisting in the organization of panels, round tables on
social development issues for intergovernmental processes.
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8. Provides support to governments and other key stakeholders in the formulation of national
social integration and related policies and programmes.
9. Organizes expert group meetings, seminars and other meetings on social integration related
issues, including activities to build national capacity in the Asia-Pacific region.
Technical Cooperation
10. Provides technical assistance to ESCAP members and associate members, on request, to build
national capacity in promoting social integration.
11. Undertakes missions to member States as part of the Organization’s technical cooperation
activities and/or in support of the work programme.
12. Prepares regional, national or sectoral analyses that provide a basis for advising national
governments on disability issues
13. Organizes and conducts training seminars for government officials, national experts on social
integration issues.
14. Prepares documentation for technical cooperation programmes and projects to promote and
protect the rights of vulnerable social groups in society, in particular young people and persons
lacking social protection.
15. Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation programmes
and projects in the field of social integration.
16. Participates in fact-finding and advisory missions to government and other activities in support
of work programme.
17. Prepares documentation for technical cooperation programmes and projects to promote and
protect the rights of vulnerable social groups in society, in particular young people and persons
lacking social protection.
General
18. Carry out programmatic/administrative tasks, including preparation of budgets, reporting on
programme performance, preparation of input for results-based budgeting.
19. Prepares statements and presentations on social and economic issues and other duties as
required.
20. Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary
for the final delivery of the Section and Division’s work.
Competencies
•
Professionalism: Knowledge and practical application of theories and concepts related to
social development and social integration, including ability to use approaches and techniques
to address difficult problems. Strong analytical capacity and the ability to identify, analyze and
articulate difficult issues/problems. Ability to use sound judgment. Strong research skills,
including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources using standard
methodologies and analytical techniques, draw conclusions and assess impact on the social
development and policy issues. 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.
•
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.
•
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.
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Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or other relevant social
sciences. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying
experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in policy analysis and design,
implementation of social integration issues, research and technical cooperation on socio-economic
issues in developing countries or related area is required. Experience in working on inequality and
social protection issues is highly desirable. Experience working in international organizations
desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post
advertised, 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.
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, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER
FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK
ACCOUNTS.
Application Process
Applicants are requested to complete a Personal History Profile (PHP) on careers.un.org and
submit it electronically to: [email protected] with the subject “Application for TJO
No. 14-P-044-SDD-SIS-P-3-TEMP-BANGKOK” and received no later than the deadline
indicated above.
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE
ACCEPTED.
Due to the volume of applications, only candidates under positive consideration will be contacted.
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