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Vacancy Announcement No: UPU/22/P3/FT-C/368
Title: Economist
Grade: P3
Type of contract: Fixed-term (Core) Appointment
Duration: Three years
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Publication Date:
28 July 2022
Application Deadline:
7 September 2022
Vacancy Filled
Organizational Unit:
Policy, Regulation and Markets Directorate (DPRM)
Duty Station:
Bern Switzerland
Scheduled date for taking up appointment: March 2023
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Organizational Context:
With its 192 member countries, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.
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Main duties:
Conduct economic research and big data analytics to support the development, monitoring and evaluation of the UPU’s strategy and other deliverables of the UPU’s Knowledge Centre and Think Tank Programme (KCTT).
1. Support the production of the UPU’s key macroeconomic and postal indicators, including those associated with the Integrated Index for Postal Development (2IPD)
– Collect, prepare and consolidate data to produce the annual 2IPD ranking, as well as postal and macroeconomic indicators
– Conduct measurements on the contribution of the postal sector (and the UPU) to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
– Liaise with the KCTT Statistician on the economic significance, accuracy and soundness of official postal statistics compiled by the UPU
– Conduct the underlying analysis and participate in the process of drafting the annual report that accompanies the 2IPD ranking, as well as any publications on macroeconomic and postal economic trends
– Conduct on-demand analyses based on the 2IPD ranking or the underlying data, as requested by the Institutional Strategy Programme Manager.
2. Support the team’s research and collaborative activities with other international organizations, academia and wider postal sector stakeholders
– Participate in and contribute to, as required, the projects of the UPU Innovations Lab, aimed at creating solutions to identified and prioritized current and future postal sector challenges
– Participate in multiagency working groups aimed at addressing global measurement bottlenecks in areas such as socio-economic indicators, e-commerce development, international digital trade flows and official statistics
– Participate in research collaboration projects with key partner international organizations, such as ICAO, the OECD, the UN, UNCTAD, the WCO, the WTO and the World Bank
– Maintain networks with academic researchers to promote research on the postal sector and related network industries
– Undertake peer review of postal economic research work produced outside the UPU, as appropriate
– Participate in the publication of papers based on the results of research conducted by the UPU, and co-author research papers linking postal and economic development, aimed at global postal and other relevant policymakers in the e-commerce era
3. Contribute to strengthening the UPU’s big data capabilities
– Contribute to the formalization of existing processes for the production of various economic insight documents and publications delivered by the Postal Economic Research and Advisory Programme
– Test the UPU’s big data platform in various configurations
– Migrate existing analytical products to the new platform
– Train the data on the platform (machine learning)
– Evaluate the possibility of integrating additional external big data sources into the platform
– Contribute to the development of UPU products and services
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QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS REQUIRED |
Education:
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or similar) in economics, econometrics or an equivalent field. An advanced university degree (Master’s or similar) and/or a PhD in the same fields would be a major asset. |
Experience:
At least five years of experience in applied economic research and analysis conducted within an academic institution or an international organization |
Technical knowledge:
1. A proven record of publications in peer-reviewed journals and of contributions to collaborative research efforts.
2. Very good knowledge of quantitative techniques, including statistical analysis and econometric modelling.
3. Expert knowledge of at least two statistical/econometric software package (e.g. STATA, SAS, R, SPSS or equivalent). Knowledge of big data programming languages such as R, Python or Scala would be considered as a strong asset.
4. Expert knowledge of network analysis theory and tools (e.g. Gephi).
5. Knowledge of Big Data tools and technologies (such as Hadoop, Hive, Spark) preferred, or alternatively, very high readiness to quickly learn the use of these tools and conduct analytics in a big data environment.
6. Good knowledge of data visualization tools (e.g. Tableau, Microsoft Power BI).
7. Ability to interact with a dense web of stakeholders within the UN System, including experience in an UN organization OR strong capacity and motivation to learn this matter in a short period of time.
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Skills and abilities / competencies:
1. Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to maintain harmonious working relations with staff at all levels in a multicultural environment
2. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain economic issues and analysis clearly and effectively
3. Planning and organizational skills, including the setting of priorities and allocation of appropriate resources
4. Autonomy: ability to conduct independent research
5. Commitment to continuous learning and keeping abreast of information and economic trends
6. Knowledge of macroeconomic and geopolitical trends affecting international organizations
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Language skills:
Proficiency in English or French. Working knowledge of the other language would be an asset.
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Additional Information:
French is the official language of the UPU. English and French are the working languages of the UPU International Bureau.
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Priority shall be given for an internal promotion.
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Candidates might be considered for other similar posts (for a period not exceeding one year).
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The UPU is committed to encouraging diversity within its workforce. Interested candidates from minority groups and/or with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated equally and in the strictest confidence.
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Candidates must ensure that they provide relevant contact details so that they can be contacted at any time, to prevent them from being excluded from the selection process.
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Annual salary:
(Net of tax)
62,692 USD
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Post adjustment:
71.4 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation. |
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| The conditions of service are governed by the Staff Regulations and Rules of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union.
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Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form.
All applications must be received by the closing date as stated in the vacancy announcement.
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. |
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Applications from women and member states are particularly encouraged.
The UPU promotes diversity and work-life balance. |
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| For further instructions regarding the online application process, please visit the UPU internet page at: https://upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/Careers |
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Vacancy Filled |
This vacancy is shown for viewing only. It is not currently open for applications
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The UPU has a smoke-free environment
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