YPP Economic Affairs positions are located in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Regional Commissions, and, occasionally, other Departments in the United Nations Secretariat. These entities are a vital interface between global policies in the economic, social, and environmental spheres and national action.
The work is guided by the universal, integrated, and transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, along with a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 associated targets adopted by the UN General Assembly on 25 September 2015. Each position is usually focused on a sub-specialty such as macroeconomics, development economics, international economics (trade, finance, and investment), public economics, environmental economics, gender economics, or a specific economic sector or sectors. Incumbents typically report to the Head of a Branch or Section or to a Senior Economic Affairs Officer.
Responsibilities
The Young Professionals Programme examination in Economic Affairs covers a wide range of topics in the areas of fundamental concepts from microeconomics, macroeconomics, the economics of growth and sustainable development, climate and ocean economics, the 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
- Intergovernmental support
- Technical cooperation
Assessment
The assessment process is divided into 3 stages:
1. Screening of applications,
2. Written examination is taken online,
3. Oral examination/Interviews
No work experience is required. Relevant work experience may be taken into consideration as an additional screening criterion when more than 60 candidates from the same country apply to the same exam area.
Benefits
Will be a paid job.
Eligibilities
- Have at least a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or at least a three-year equivalent) in the fields of study listed in the Education Section of this Job Opening;
- Be 32 years old or younger by the end of this year (born on or after 1 January 1991);
- Be fluent in either English or French; and
- Have the nationality of a participating Member State.
Application Process
Applicants must submit scanned copies of the following documents:
- Passport or a valid identification document issued by a state authority, showing your name, birth date, and nationality, with a photograph;
- Documentation of University degree(s) (e.g., diploma, transcript, or similar official document), reflecting the main course of study selected.
- Candidates must apply to only one YPP exam area in a given year (e.g., cannot apply to both the Economic Affairs and the Information Systems & Technology exam).
- Those who are successful in the YPP examination process will be placed on a roster used to fill appropriate entry-level (P1/P2) vacancies.
- Candidates may be selected from the roster as relevant vacancies become available across the UN Secretariat, at various offices globally.
- The roster is valid and used to fill positions, for a period of three years. It is important to understand that placement on the roster does not guarantee an offer of employment.
