YPP Exam: Economic Affairs

Org. Setting and Reporting Responsibilities The Young Professionals Programme examination in Economic Affairs covers a wide range of topics in the areas of fundamental concepts from microeconomics, macroeconomics, economics of growth and sustainable development, climate and ocean economics, economics of international trade and finance, quantitative economic analysis and econometrics, resources and environmental economics, and other areas of the economic discipline covered economic affairs arms of the United Nations. Those successful in the examination could be assigned to a job that covers any or a combination of these areas. Some of the key responsibilities of an Associate Economic Affairs Officer include (These duties are generic and may not be carried out by all Associate Officers.): Economic and/or sector analysis: • Collects, evaluates, interprets, and analyses qualitative and quantitative socio-economic information obtained from a variety of sources and pertaining to particular sectors, countries, regions, or sustainable development topics. • Prepares or helps to prepare drafts of analytical studies of economic and sustainable development issues pertaining to sector, country, region, and the world as a whole, and of policies necessary to deal with these issues (e.g., analysis of economic growth, resource efficiency, resilience to economic and environmental shocks, trends in implementation of the 2030 agenda and the SDGs).• Prepares briefing notes, inputs to speeches, and other such material on topical economic and sustainable development issues in a form that is readily accessible by non-specialists. • Maintains databases covering both quantitative and qualitative information and programmes necessary for management and organization of such databases. • Assists in designing, testing, using, and carrying out necessary modification of econometric models and other sustainable development policy support tools.• Assists in organizing and servicing expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on topical economic and sustainable development issues. Intergovernmental support: • Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies.• Follows intergovernmental meetings and prepares their summary reports and other relevant output. • Prepares inputs to statements by members of the Bureau and Secretariat staff to various economic and sustainable development issue related meetings.• Assists in organizing panels, round tables, etc. necessary for inter-governmental processes pertaining to economic and sustainable development issues. Technical cooperation: • Compiles and analyses data and other information necessary for preparing relevant technical cooperation project proposals in the area of economic and sustainable development. Uses systems analysis for integrated planning and development scenarios.• Participates in drafting of technical cooperation programmes and projects. • Prepares material necessary for approval of regional, country or sector specific technical cooperation projects. • Monitors, backstops, supports the implementation of and assesses the implementation of approved technical cooperation programmes and projects. General: • Conducts data analysis for a variety of reasons; and keeps abreast of latest tools and techniques to do so. • Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s services.• Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally. Competencies Education Work Experience Languages Fluency (speaking, reading, writing, understanding fluently) in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage. Assessment The assessment process is divided into 3 stages: 1.Screening of applications, 2.Written examination taken online, 3.Oral examination/InterviewsKnowledge of UN languages may be tested at any of these stages.• Applications will be screened based on the eligibility criteria in this Job Opening. • The written examination will be conducted via an online testing platform. Candidates convoked for the written examination will be responsible for identifying and securing a location suitable for them to complete the examination (i.e., a computer with a reliable internet connection). Further information regarding the online testing platform and exam preparation guidance will be provided to those convoked for the examination. oThe written examination is planned to be offered in two parts, with the following tentative timeframe (exact dates to be announced): oPart I (likely in August / September 2023) consists of 1) the General Paper, which assesses competencies and abilities critical to success in working in an international affairs context, and 2) first part of the Specialized Paper, multiple choice questions which assess knowledge and attributes relevant to the exam area. oPart II (1-2 months after stage 1) consists of the second part of the Specialized Paper, constructed response items (i.e., open-ended questions) which assess knowledge and attributes relevant to the exam area. Only examinees successful in part one of the online exam will be invited to participate in the second part. •Only examinees who are successful in the overall written examination will be invited to the oral examination. The oral examination will be conducted via online video conference. The oral examination will assess the key competencies for the job family, as described in the Job Opening. Part of the final assessment stage, either before, during or after the oral examination may include an element to verify the candidate’s answers given in the Specialized Paper as well as the information in the Personal History Profile submitted. The anticipated timeframe for the oral examinations is early 2024. Special Notice United Nations Considerations No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.