Under the general supervision of the Chief, Social Development Division and the direct supervision of the Chief, Social Participatory Development Section, the Social Affairs Officer will, within delegated authority, be responsible for the following duties:
- Social Analysis: Carry out, individually or in teams, analysis of social development issues, processes and outcomes pertaining to capacity building programmes, both nationally and regionally with particular reference to public participation, document the determinants of public participation strategies in the ESCWA countries. Recommend concrete proposals to enhance partnership between governments and civil society institutions in the ESCWA region, liaise with officials of governments, representatives of national, regional and global organizations, organizations of the UN system, and other relevant partners on issues related to the feasibility and implementation of specific programmes, action plans or other initiatives concerning public participation approaches and mechanisms; assist in the planning, organizing and servicing of technical and ad hoc expert group meetings; Organize and participate in working groups, meetings, conferences, and consultations with other agencies and partners on social development related matters; Prepare/contribute to the preparation of various reports, documents and communications.
- Intergovernmental support: Provide support to intergovernmental processes dealing with social development issues by preparing inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies and following up on recommendations of intergovernmental meetings.
- Technical Cooperation: Assist as appropriate in the quality and timely delivery of the Division's technical cooperation programme and provide relevant technical input as required;
- General: Provide guidance to new/junior staff; Perform other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative and research tasks necessary for the final delivery of the Section's services. Undertake training activities, both internally and externally.
Competencies
- Professionalism - Sound knowledge and practical application of theories and concepts related to social development; Strong analytical capacity and ability to identify, analyze and articulate programme implementation issues; Sound judgment; Strong research skills, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources using standard methodologies and analytical techniques, and to draw conclusions and assess impacts on social development and public participation issues; Ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff.
- Planning and Organizing - Ability to plan own work, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and competing deadlines with little or no supervision.
- Teamwork - Very good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Requirements
- Advanced university degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) in sociology, economics, other social sciences or related humanities field.
- Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in social/economic policy analysis, sociological research and programme implementation or other related fields. Experience at the international level is required. Field experience in developing countries and ESCWA countries or region-specific knowledge is an asset.
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Arabic is also a working language of ESCWA. For this post, fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is required.
- Knowledge of relevant institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to social development is desirable. Knowledge of the institutions of the UN system is desirable.
employment-escwa@un.org
