THE UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON ECONONMIC AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS

(UNDESA)

OUR MISSION

The United Nations Commission on Economic And Social Affairs (UNDESA) The
Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat is a vital
interface between global policies in the economic, social and environmental spheres and
national action. The Department works in three main interlinked areas:

• it compiles, generates and analyses a wide range of economic, social and

environmental data and information on which States Members of the United
Nations draw to review common problems and to take stock of policy options;
• it facilitates the negotiations of Member States in many intergovernmental bodies
on joint courses of action to address ongoing or emerging global challenges;
• and it advises interested Governments on the ways and means of translating
policy frameworks developed in United Nations conferences and summits into
programmes at the country level and, through technical assistance, helps build
national capacities.

CURRENT VACANCIES

1. Position: Finance and Budget Officer

Location: France/Romania
Salary: $175,000.00
Contract: Permanent
Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Budget Section of Financial
Resources Management Service, the incumbent is responsible for; Budget preparation:
Ensuring legislative mandates are accurately translated into program budgets reviewing,
analyzing and finalizing cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-
staff requirements and other legislative mandates. Providing detailed input with respect
to resource requirements for budget submissions. Reviewing, analyzing and finalizing
program budget/financial implications to the Legislative Bodies in light of additional
mandates. Providing substantive support to relevant inter governmental and expert
bodies in their budget review. Budget administration: Issuing allotments, authorizing sub-
allotments, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate
expenditures. Managing and monitoring budget implementation and recommend
reallocation of funds as necessary. Monitoring expenditures to ensure that they remain
within authorized levels. Administering and monitoring extra budgetary resources,
including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations
and rules and established policies and procedures. Reviewing and finalizing budget
performance reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual
expenditures. Providing substantive support to relevant inter governmental and expert
bodies. General Providing advice and guidance, including training to staff on budgetary
and financial policies and procedures, including results-based budgeting; Participating in
inter-departmental meetings on matters related to resource requirements, programming
and budgetary issues; Keeping up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a
bearing on matters related to program budgets, ensuring compliance with inter
governmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies
and procedures; Drafting reports for inter governmental bodies and for management on
budgetary issues, and correspondence; Undertaking research and analysis of budgetary
policies and procedures, make recommendations for changes and/or modifications;
Acting as Certifying Officer under Financial Rule 110.4 to ensure that proposed
obligations and expenditures are in accordance with approved budgets and established
regulations and rules; Ensuring the integrity of financial and management systems and
the controls that underpin them; Providing support with respect to representation of the
Secretary-General in meetings of legislative organs; Represent UNDESA or division in
inter and intra-departmental meetings; Incumbents may be asked to perform other
related duties. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Administrative and
substantive officers in UNDESA.

Qualifications: Advanced university degree from a university or from an institution of

equivalent status in Business and Administration, Finance, or a First degree with a
relevant combination of academic and professional qualifications. 7 years progressively
responsible experience in budgeting and financial management systems. Successful
completion of work in a section of the programme budget or extra budgetary budgets or
demonstrated leadership of a team of staff working on a number of budgets. English and
French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post,
fluency in spoken and written English is required.

2. Position: Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer

Location: U.S.A
Salary: $181,000.00
Contract: Permanent

Responsibilities: The post is located in the Crime Conventions Section, Treaty and
Legal Affairs Branch, Division for Treaty Affairs of the United Nations Office on Drugs
and Crime. The incumbent is supervised by the Chief of the Section or other Senior
Officers of the Section. Within limits of delegated authority, the Drug Control and Crime
Prevention Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Provide substantive and
organizational input for the implementation of the programme of work of the Crime
Convention Section, specifically with a view to promoting the ratification and
implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption; Plan and perform a cluster of
specialized tasks in support of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations
Convention against Corruption, with a particular focus on substantive contributions and
analytical support to the Conference; Provide specialized assistance to Member States
for the ratification and implementation of the Convention, with a focus on assistance for
the full incorporation of the Convention in domestic legal and regulatory systems;
Develop specialized materials and technical publications to facilitate the ratification and
implementation of the Convention, particularly on issues related to international
cooperation, including for the purposes of confiscation of proceeds of crime and asset
recovery in the framework of the Convention; Provide substantive inputs on matters
related to the ratification and implementation of the Convention to the overall work of the
Division and UNDESA; and Foster collaboration with intergovernmental, non-
governmental and business organizations.

Qualifications: An advanced university degree in criminal law or international law or

equivalent. Five years of relevant professional experience, including 2 years at the
international level, in crime prevention and criminal justice issues, preferably with a focus
on corruption or closely related issues. Work experience in supporting policy and
programme development, in servicing intergovernmental bodies and in legislative
assistance. Familiarity with the modalities of international cooperation in criminal
matters. Relevant field level work experience desirable. Fluency in English, with
excellent drafting and communication skills; knowledge of French, Spanish and/or other
United Nations official languages (Arabic, Chinese and Russian) is highly desirable.

3 Position: Research Officer

Location: Belgium
Salary: $170,000.00
Contract: Permanent

Responsibilities: The Research and Analysis Section of UNDESA is responsible for

monitoring, analyzing and reporting on the extent and evolution of global drugs and
crime problems. The section cooperate with national and international institutions to
collect and analyze data, undertake surveys and studies, develop and maintain data and
information system, produce statistics, estimates and indicators and a number of
flagship publications, including UNDESA World Drug Report. Under the supervision of
the Chief of the Section, the Research Officer will lead technical work of the Section to
support the development and implementation of international crime data collection
activities, with a view to strengthen research, analysis and reporting to Member States.
Responsibilities will primarily include leading and/or contributing to the section’s work on:
(1) development of international crime indicators and data sources in consultation with
experts from governments, other international organizations and research institutions;
(2) identification of orientations and priorities for, and design of, UNDESA crime data
collection programme; (3) preparation and implementation of joint UNDESA/Government
primary crime data collection activities (methodology, survey questionnaires, terms of
reference and selection of contractors, training, data quality control and analysis, survey
reports); (4) production and analysis of UNDESA estimates on global crime trends and
the preparation of related reports; (5) preparation of technical papers, studies, briefings
and presentations; (6) cooperation with other international organizations and research
institutions on crime data collection; (7) participation in international expert group
meetings and technical conferences on crime data collection and analysis.

Qualifications: Advanced university degree, preferably with PhD, in criminology,

sociology or any other relevant social science or the equivalent combination of relevant
education and experience. Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible professional
experience, with at least 3 years at the international level, in areas related to research
and data collection on crime, including design and implementation of surveys on crime
related topics.
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 other
official United Nations languages is an advantage.

4. Position: Information Technology Assistance

Location: Belgium
Salary: $197,000.00
Contract: Permanent

Responsibilities : Within delegated authority, and within the Office of Internal Oversight
Services Investigations Division [OIOS ID], the Information Systems Assistant will be
responsible for the following duties: 1) Participate in the development, programming,
testing, debugging and implementation of new application system releases, modules and
functionalities. 2) Develop, test and implement simple computer applications systems
and programmes using UN established standards for IT technologies, programming
languages and tools. 3) Serve as team member in the planning, specification, design,
development, implementation and support of computer application systems;
independently liaise with users to define and specify requirements. 4) Install computer
application software and hardware according to specifications; monitor computer
application systems using appropriate monitoring tools and produce monitoring reports.
5) Prepare technical and user documentation for deployed computer applications
systems, as well as training materials and conduct technical presentations. 6) Maintain
functional specifications for computer application systems, programmes and procedures
developed and/or modified. 7) Provide support for deployed computer application
systems including version management, data recovery and deployment to users offices;
perform ongoing reviews with users and developers and respond to users requests. 8)
Draft correspondence and communications; including work plan revisions and other
related issues, as well as prepare unit contributions for a variety of periodic reports. 9)
Serve as focal point for coordination, monitoring and expedition of computer application
systems development projects, involving extensive liaison with diverse organizational
units to initiate requests; prepare standard terms of reference; process and follow-up on
administrative actions and resolve issues related to project implementation, e.g.
organization of and participation in training, procurement of equipment and services etc.
10) Keep abreast of developments in the field; perform benchmarking and propose new
acquisitions. 11) Liaise with OIOS ID IT and other staff in the New York and other offices
to coordinate IT problem solving, equipment purchasing, programme development and
other tasks. 12) Provide guidance to new/junior staff. 13) Perform other duties as
assigned.

Qualifications: Completion of high school or equivalent diploma; technical certificate in

application software systems development or other related field. University level courses
in computer science or a related field would be an asset. A minimum of five years of
relevant and progressively responsible technical experience, e.g. systems analysis and
programming, systems administration and maintenance, software development,
technical writing, etc.; experience across a broad range of hardware and software
platforms; experience in utilizing UN office automation tools/major computer application
systems. Required skills are: Lotus Notes administration experience; Citrix experience;
managing a Microsoft based international network and associated servers; and
experience with SQL - databases and servers. Experience working in an investigations
or similar highly confidential environment would be an asset. Fluency in written and
spoken English; knowledge of a second official UN language is desirable.
5. Position: Pharmacist
Location: France
Salary: $187,000.00
Contract: Permanent

Responsibilities: The incumbent performs the full range of pharmacy duties requiring
full knowledge of physical properties, compatibilities, use, dosage, cautions,
contraindications, labeling and storage. He/She works as generalist in all areas of the
Pharmacy including unit dose and intravenous admixtures; supervises the technical work
of Pharmacy Technicians and rotate as Pharmacist-in-Charge. Incumbent provides drug
information to physicians and other members of the medical center staff; performs
teaching duties in various outpatient clinics; instructs patients concerning their drugs;
instructs students from affiliated schools of Pharmacy. Performs other duties as
assigned.

Qualifications: Advanced university degree, preferably with in pharmacology or any

other relevant medical science or the equivalent combination of relevant education and
experience. Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience, with
at least 3 years at the international level, in areas related to research and data collection.
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 other
official United Nations languages is an advantage.

6. Position: English Reviser

Location: Vienna
Salary: $160,000.00
Contract: Permanent

Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Publishing, Referencing and
English Section, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: -Revises
translations and original summary records dealing with a broad range of subjects dealt
with by the United Nations and by the Comprehensive Test-Ban-Treaty Organization
(CTBTO), which uses the common service. -Translates, mostly without revision, texts
covering a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations and CTBTO,
particularly those subjects requiring experience and recognized proficiency. Drafts
summary records, mostly without revision, and serves as monitor of precise-writing
teams. -Carries out linguistic research and prepares terminological glossaries and
related reference tools. -Counsels, coaches and assists translators/precise-writers and
briefs them on the procedures and practices of the Service, terminology and a broad
range of subjects, as required. -Participates in drafting and other conference-related
groups. -When appropriate, assists the Chief in quality control activities and serves as
officer-in-charge of the Section in the absence of the Chief and of other officers-in-
charge. -Performs other related duties as required.
Qualifications: Degree from a university or from an institution of equivalent status. Must
have passed the appropriate United Nations competitive examination. At least five years
of translation and précis-writing experience, of which three should ideally have been
within the United Nations. Knowledge of a broad range of subjects dealt with by the
United Nations (political, social, legal, economic, financial, administrative, scientific and
technical) with some specialization, preferably in the legal or economic areas. Facility in
using the United Nations terminology databases and knowledge of computer software
used in the United Nations. A thorough command of English, which must be the
incumbent's main language, and excellent knowledge of Russian, Spanish and French,
or at least two of those languages, as tested by the appropriate United Nations
competitive examination. Knowledge of German is a considerable asset.

7. Position: Auditor
Location: U.S.A
Salary: $186,000.00
Contract: Permanent

Responsibilities: This post is located in the Financial Resources Management Service

(FRMS), Division for Management (DM) at the United Nations Office on Drugs and
Crime (UNODC) in Vienna. The incumbent will report to the Chief, Operational Accounts
in FRMS. Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following
duties: 1) Act as the Finance helpdesk focal point for the local Integrated Management
Information System (IMIS). The incumbent will receive and process questions; problems
and recommendations from users of the IMIS Finance Module, including users from the
Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-test Ban Treaty Organizations
(CTBTO). 2) Review requests for access to IMIS, and when appropriate, suggest
changes to security user profiles in conjunctions with the data owner (i.e., the Chief
Finance Officer). 3) Research and resolve problems by recreating errors, testing
solutions, and when necessary and in conjunction with the data owner (i.e., the Chief
Finance Officer), request data fixes. 4) Maintain regular contact with IMIS users and
technical staff, and to hold user meetings as required. 5) Assist with the preparation of
IMIS user documentation (e.g., workflows and guidelines) as well as in the production of
training materials. 6) Assist with testing and evaluating changes or enhancements to
IMIS. 7) Keep abreast of IMIS developments and inform users of those developments. 8)
Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications: Completion of high school or equivalent diploma; Computer training in

financial databases, Excel, Access, Word and other Microsoft Office programmes.
Minimum of five years work experience, with three years being in the field of accounting,
finance, database auditing, and or the implementation of computerized financial
systems. Fluency in oral and written English; knowledge of a second official UN
language desirable. In view of the nature of this role, knowledge of the UN’s Integrated
Management Information System (IMIS) and experience in supporting finance users with
analyzing, identifying and resolving problems in IMIS is an added advantage.

8. Position: Senior Communications Officer

Location: France
Salary: $176,000.00
Contract: Permanent
Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Director-General/Executive
Director UNDESA, the incumbent will lead and coordinate the preparation and
production of speeches, statements and talking points for the Director-General/Executive
Director, UNDESA by: researching, reviewing and analyzing documents (journals,
magazines, UNDESA publications, other United Nations publications, Internet, press
clippings, etc.) and extracting information and facts relevant to the subject matter of
speeches and statements; contacting senior UN officials to obtain and discuss additional
information and details of programme objectives, activities and initiatives for inclusion in
speeches and statements; integrating input, comments and suggestions from senior UN
officials and the Director-General/Executive Director and finalizing draft speeches and
statements; writing special articles and “op-ed” pieces on behalf of the Director-
General/Executive Director. Working closely with the UNDESA Advocacy Section and
UNIS, the incumbent will also plan, coordinate, organize and conduct media-related
activities for UNODC by: promoting and organizing major media-related events and
activities; acting as the Executive Director’s spokesperson, as appropriate, in association
with other information and communications offices in Vienna; coordinating responses to
requests from the media for interviews with senior UNDESA officials; acting as the
“clearing house” for information on UNDESA activities to be released to the media and
general public; providing, in consultation with senior UNDESA officials, advice and
guidance to UNDESA field offices on statements to be released to the media and
general public; closely coordinating with the Offices of the Secretary-General’s Director
for Communications and Spokesperson on media-related matters and activities,
including issuance, on the instruction of or after consultation with UN Headquarters, of
statements to the press on policy matters pertinent to the United Nations; bringing to the
attention of the Executive Director and senior UNDESA officials the most important
pieces of news appearing in the media, carrying out political and operational analysis of
such items and preparing related briefing papers for the attention of the Executive
Director and providing advice on the appropriate action to be taken; regularly providing
the Office of the Secretary-General’s Spokesperson with information on the activities of
the Executive Director.

Qualifications: Advanced university degree in journalism, communications, public

relations, international relations, political science or other related area, or equivalent
combination of education and experience. At least 10 years of progressively responsible
professional experience in journalism, communications or public relations, including at
least 5 years at the international level. Extensive experience and proven skills in
managing high-level contacts with media, NGOs, government officials, international
institutions, etc. Experience in planning, coordinating, organizing and conducting major
events. Excellent written and spoken English is essential for this post. Knowledge of
other official United Nations languages an asset. Demonstrated ability to develop world-
wide media relations. Demonstrated ability to formulate complex issues so as to render
them interesting and reader-friendly. Excellent public speaking skills required. Visual
presentation skills desirable.

9. Position: Environmental Officer

Location: Belgium
Salary: $170,600.00
Contract: Permanent

Responsibilities: They are responsible for development oversight, management, and

 evaluation of programs in the following areas: bio-diversity, conservation, forestry,
wildlife management, water and coastal resources management, environmental
education, environmental policy, environmentally sustainable agriculture, community
based natural resources management, urban and industrial pollution reduction, urban
planning and management (including such areas as housing, water and sanitation),
urban and housing finance, energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy
applications, clean energy technologies, energy sector planning and global climate
change. Environment Officers apply both a technical knowledge of their program area
and a variety of management and program evaluation knowledge in order to ensure that
projects meet the needs of UNDESA's partners and customers in a cost-effective
manner.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS/SELECTION

Applicants are selected on the basis of academic credentials, experience and other
relevant factors. Successful Applicants are invited to come to Washington, for an
interview/ Training. Candidates are interviewed on their related knowledge, skills and
abilities. Application is open to all interested applicants from any nationality and should
be sent not later than 2 weeks from this publication.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send your resume/CV to jobs@undesa.corp.st

Dr. Wright Philips

Recruitment Officer
U.S Committee for UNDESA
Two UN Plaza, 21st Floor
New York, NY 10017
FAX +1- 718-247-5979