Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Sustainable Transport Division’s Vehicle Regulations and Transport Innovations Section. The position is mainly focused on including modern vehicle technology into the UN vehicle regulations established by the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) and thus providing for the international regulatory framework for safe and environmentally friendly vehicles. The Economics Affairs Officer reports to the Chief of Section.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible of the following duties:

- Acts as secretary to the Working Party on General Safety Provisions (GRSG) and provides expert assistance to it in the development of vehicle regulations in the legal framework of the Agreements of 20 March 1958, 25 June 1998 and 13 November 1997. This involves:

(a) Preparing, reviewing and editing working documents (proposing harmonized technical requirements for the design and construction of motor vehicles, their parts and equipment), drafting agendas and reports of the sessions, servicing the meetings and undertaking follow-up actions.

(b) Liaison with the representatives of the Contracting Parties to the Agreements and of governmental and non-governmental organizations participating at the meetings.

(c) Providing technical and legal assistance to GRSG in order to clarify complex issues on general safety provisions of vehicles in order to reconcile varying points of view and to find compromise solutions.

(d )Replying to queries related to provisions on general safety of vehicles.

- Supervises the hosting and further development of an electronic Database for the Exchange of Type Approval documentation (DETA) and represents the secretariat at the meetings of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) informal groups on DETA and on the Development of an International Whole Vehicle Type Approval (IWVTA) system.

- Assists the WP.29 secretary in the preparation of proposals for new vehicle regulations and rules, for the amendment to existing regulations and rules as well as in the preparation of recommendatory texts on the basis of the decisions taken by GRSG. This involves:

(a) Preparing the working documents proposing harmonized technical requirements for the design and construction of motor vehicles, their parts and equipment adopted by GRSG that should be considered and adopted by voting by the Administrative/Executive Committees of the Agreements administered by the World Forum.

(b) Assisting the secretary of WP.29 during the sessions of the World Forum in the matters related to GRSG.

(c) Drafting the sections of the WP.29 report, which are related to the work programme of GRSG.

- Assists the Chief of Section in the preparation of the sessions of the Administrative Committee (AC.1) of the 1958 Agreement. This involves:

(a) Preparing the voting table and its completion with regard to new Contracting Parties to the 1958 Agreement, new Regulations and new amendments to the existing Regulations submitted to voting by all the Working Parties.

(b) Assisting the secretary of WP.29 during the AC.1 sessions.

(c) Drafting the sections of the WP.29 report, which are related to AC.1.

- Assists the Chief of Section in the preparation of the sessions of the Administrative Committee (AC.2) for the Coordination of Work of the World Forum. This involves:

(a) Preparing proposals for detailed consideration by AC.2.

(b) Assisting the secretary of WP.29 during the AC.2 sessions.

c) Drafting the sections of the WP.29 report, which are related to AC.2.

- Assists the Chief of Section in the consolidation of the legal texts of the Regulations under the responsibilities of GRSG.

- Represents the secretariat at conferences, working groups and meetings of other international organizations in the field of vehicle engineering in order to transmit or receive information relevant to the related Working Parties.

- Performs other duties as requested.

Competencies

Professionalism: In-depth knowledge of automotive active and passive safety,anti-theft provisions and other regulatory aspects. In-depth knowledge of technical vocabulary in the automotive field. Ability to apply analytical skills and to participate in/leading of scientific projects, including preparation of cost estimates, project documentation and providing project oversight. Ability to conduct independent research on automotive related topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Ability to identify and analyse engineering data of significant depth and complexity. 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.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in mechanical engineering, preferably in automotive engineering with specialization in the field of international or governmental automotive regulatory activities or related fields. A first-level or advanced degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in any field of studies with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree in the specified fields of studies.

Work Experience

At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the area of automotive regulatory control of active and passive safety is required.

Out of these, at least five years of experience within the United Nations common system in servicing relevant international meetings, including the drafting of reports is desirable.

Experience in a governmental or international organization, in automotive regulatory field, is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is also desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 July 2019, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.