Job: Markets Development and Research Expert

Location: Berne, Switzerland
Deadline: Wednesday, 04 December 2013

Vacancy Announcement No: UPU/13/P3/FT-C/26

Title: Markets Development and Research ExpertGrade: P3Type of contract Fixed-Term (Core) AppointmentDuration: three years

Publication Date: 30 October 2013

Application Deadline: 4 December 2013Organizational Unit: Markets Development Directorate (DDM)Duty Station: Bern SwitzerlandScheduled date for taking up appointment: as soon as possible

Organizational Context:

The Universal Postal Union (UPU), with its headquarters in the Swiss capital Berne, 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.The incumbent supports the Markets Development Programme Manager who is responsible for the postal markets and business development planning, strategies and activities, inclusive market research, and trade facilitation. He/she performs research according to the needs identified by the UPU bodies, committees and groups, as well as other Directorates of the International Bureau (IB). The incumbent identifies best methods to measure and analyze market trends. He/she works closely with IB statistics experts and economist(s), as well as external consultants and partners in the field of market research. He/she also conducts the work related to trade facilitation initiatives, including assistance in pilot projects in that area.

Main duties:

1. Research and studies in markets and business development and trade facilitation

• Under the supervision of the Programme Manager and in cooperation with UPU bodies, committees and groups, as well as internal programmes, the incumbent: identifies opportunities and feasibility studies for postal market and business development.
• Based on the results of the studies, makes projections of trends and growth areas and contributes to the development and formulation of strategies and policy proposals.
• With the guidance of the Programme Manager, identifies and carries out pilot projects in the area of trade facilitation.
• Identifies the best methods, tools and sources for collecting and processing data and for checking it for accuracy and comparability.
• Works on pilots and shares knowledge and information with consultants to conduct studies in the area of markets and business development and trade facilitation.
• Liaises with national authorities and regional and international bodies in identifying best practices and opportunities for knowledge sharing, and in getting financial support for research and pilot projects.
• Works closely and shares information with other programmes in the International Bureau that are linked to trade facilitation, specifically in the Operations and Technology Directorate(customs, transport, airlines, security) and the Development Cooperation Directorate (regional development plans etc.), as well as with the experts responsible for e-services and e-commerce.
• Prepares analytical studies of trends and developments in the postal market, analyzes and measures their impact on the industry, the UPU member countries and their designated operators, the different customer groups and other stakeholders

.2. Information disseminationWith the validation of the Director and Programme Manager:

• Makes the results of studies and pilot projects available to all interested parties in the form of reports, models and best practices that would contribute to the promotion and development of markets and new products and services at a worldwide level.
• Identifies the best ways to present and disseminate results; in this regard, works with other experts, e.g. software specialists and editors.
• Prepares documents with comments and recommendations on the results of the work for the UPU bodies and particularly POC Committee 2 (Markets Development), the Market Research and MSME Business Development Groups, and CA Committee 4 (Cooperation Development), and contributes to the implementation of the work plans of the group and the related Congress resolutions.
• Contributes to seminars, forums and briefings for the transfer of results and methodologies developed through research activities.

3. Secretariat, administrative duties

• Acts as Assistant Secretary of POC Committee 2 and the two related groups (Market Research and MSME Business Development Group): Efficient communication with the chairs and members, efficient organization of meetings, production of quality documents within set deadlines, and the preparation of reports in a timely manner.
• Assists in the organization of, and participates in, seminars and forums related to areas of work (logistics, programmes, documents, presentations, reports, etc.).
• Gives guidance to the assistant in the area of markets development and support services for POC Committee 2 and its groups.

QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS REQUIRED

Education:

• A first-level university degree (bachelor or equivalent) in economics, marketing, business administration or related fields.

Experience:

• At least five years of experience in economic and market research and in product and service development/marketing at a national level (postal or related sector is an asset).

Technical knowledge:

• Very good knowledge of the latest sources and tools available for market research and data collection, as well as quantitative technical analysis methods.
• Good knowledge of project management.
• Knowledge of the postal and/or related industries, market trends and customer needs, product and service development, and new innovations in the postal sector.
• Good presentation and communication skills and the ability to capture and present complicated concepts and statistical data in a simple and clear manner.
• Experience in organizing meetings and preparing reports.
• Knowledge of the UPU, its role and functions and of the UPU bodies would be an advantage.

Skills and abilities / competencies:

• Ability to initiate and implement projects and studies and formulate guidelines.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Results-oriented and the ability to manage time efficiently and deliver results within set deadlines.
• Ability to work in close cooperation with other experts and colleagues (internally and externally) in sharing information and portraying a professional and positive image of the organization.

Language skills:

• Perfect proficiency in English or in French and the ability to communicate in the other languages.
• Knowledge of other languages, particularly those used in the UN system, would be an asset.

Annual salary: (Net of tax)

56091 USD60091 USD with primary dependants

Post adjustment: 104.9 % 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.

More Info and Application