UN Economic Commission for Africa

Position description

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the duties of Economic Affairs Officer fall mainly into the three functional areas identified below:

ECONOMIC AND/OR SECTOR ANALYSIS:

• Monitors economic developments and regional integration trends on the African continent and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the United Nations.
• Designs and conducts studies on selected issues in economic development, including on the different dimensions of economic integration and draft relevant reports such as Assessing Regional Integration in Africa (ARIA) and African Regional Integration Index (ARII).
• Interprets and applies results of econometric modelling to analysis of economic prospects and policies.
• Develops draft policy recommendations pertaining to area of work.
• Formulates proposals for development strategies, policies and measures for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and others.
• Attends international, regional, and national meetings to hold discussions with representatives of other institutions including regional economic communities, the African Union and the African Development Bank.
• Organizes expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development and integration issues.
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT:

• Provides substantive support on economic issues and economic integration matters to inter-governmental bodies such as the General Assembly, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Economic and Social Council, the Trade and Development Board, the regional commissions and their respective subsidiary bodies).
• Provide substantive support to ECA’s cooperative work with Regional Economic Communities in close collaboration with the Commission’s Sub-Regional Offices
• Represents organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings.

TECHNICAL COOPERATION:

• Designs and monitors technical cooperation projects.
• Undertakes missions to member states, either alone or as a participant in a diverse team, as part of the Organization’s technical cooperation activities.
• Prepares global, regional, national or sector analyses that provide a basis for advising national governments and regional economic communities on economic development and economic integration issues.
• Supports the operationalization of regional and global frameworks to the benefit of ECA member states and RECs, such as the Vienna Programme Action (VPOA) for Landlocked Developing countries and the AfCFTA-anchored pharmaceutical Initiative for Africa.
• Conducts training seminars and workshops for government officials and others.
• Formulates technical modalities for the evaluation of individual technical cooperation projects.

GENERAL:

• Supports junior staff, reviewing their work and providing feedback.
• Participates in intra- and inter-Departmental undertakings of broader concern to represent the views or interests of the organizational unit.
• Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s service.;
• Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in regional integration issues and policies. Ability to conduct independent research on economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Ability to identify and develop sources for data collection. 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.
• TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• 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 degree or equivalent) in economics or related field. A PhD in economics or related field is an advantage. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related areas is required.
• Experience in Africa or on African related issues, particularly regional integration matters, is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. Fluency in one of these languages, English or French is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Application instructions