United Nations Economic Commission for Africa seeks to recruit an economic affairs officer [Temporary] – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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Org. Setting and Reporting :

Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN’s five regional commissions, ECA’s mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its member States, foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa’s development. Made up of 54 member States, and playing a dual role as a regional arm of the UN and as a key component of the African institutional landscape, ECA is well positioned to make unique contributions to address the Continent’s development challenges. The strategic objective of ECA is framed around delivering ideas and actions for an empowered, inclusive and transformed Africa in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 of the African Union through its three core functions, namely, its function as a think tank, its convening function and its operational function.

This position is located in the Africa Trade Policy Centre (ATPC), Regional Integration and Trade Division (RITD), at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Addis Ababa. The incumbent will work under the general guidance of the Director of the Regional Integration and Trade Division and direct supervision of the Coordinator of the Centre.

Responsibilities :

Under the general guidance of the Director of the Division, and the direct supervision of the Coordinator of ATPC and within delegated authority, the incumbent will carry out the following functions :

Economic or sector analysis :

• Conducts technical studies and prepares technical and policy papers on trade policy and the economic and social implications for Africa, with a focus on gender-equality in trade, trade facilitation and Aid for Trade, in addition to the Boosting Intra-African Trade initiative, EU-Africa trade, and other areas as required ;
• Contributes to the analysis of global and regional trends in trade and their impact on regional integration and Africa’s development agenda ;
• Interprets, applies and, as necessary, adapts econometric models to determine trends, patterns and relationships and to analyse the effects of alternative policies and assumptions ;
• Drafts specified inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on selected global, regional, national or sector aspects of economic development ;
• Identifies and analyses policy proposals made elsewhere relating to assigned topics ;
• Attends international, regional, and national meetings to collect information and to hold discussions with colleagues in other institutions ;
• Provides technical assistance and advisory services to the African RECs, member States and relevant institutions ;
• Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues ;
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.

Intergovernmental support :

• Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies ;
• Follows intergovernmental meetings and prepares summary reports ;
• Prepares inputs to statements by members of the Bureau and Secretariat staff to such meetings ;
• Assists in the organization of panels, round tables etc. on development issues for intergovernmental processes.

Technical cooperation :

• Serves as the focal point for the ATPC technical cooperation on gender equality in trade, trade facilitation and Aid for Trade, in addition to the Boosting Intra-African Trade initiative, EU-Africa trade, and other areas as required ;
• Contributes to the technical assistance by ATPC to the member States for the ratification and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area ;
• In the assigned areas of responsibility, builds new and deepens existing collaboration with a variety of bodies such as the United Nations Organizations, African Union Commission, African Development Bank, RECs, other multilateral and bilateral development partners, foundations, the private sector, NGOs and civil society at large ;
• Participates in missions on development issues, usually as a member of a team ;
• Organizes training seminars for national experts ;
• Prepares documentation for technical cooperation programmes and projects ;
• Contributes to the preparation of material for the approval of regional, country or sector technical cooperation projects ;
• Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects.

General :

• Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s services ;
• Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Results Expected :

Accurately analyses current and emerging economic development issues obtained by applying sound principles and concepts, by using valid data and, as necessary, by applying appropriate economic models; prepares reports and policy proposals that are useful to governments and other clients; engages in technical cooperation activities that contribute to economic development in recipient countries.

Competencies :

Professionalism :

Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development. Ability to conduct independent research on economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing 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.

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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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 & 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.

Education :

An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in economics or related fields is required. 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 five years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related fields is required. Experience in the areas of trade policy, gender and trade, and trade facilitation is required. Experience in the area of African regional integration and international trade negotiations is desirable.

Languages :

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in either language is required and knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment :

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

Special Notice :

• This position is temporarily available for a period of one year. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment ;
• While this temporary job opening may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post ;
• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station ;
• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15 ;
• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation ;
• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 November 2018, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belarus, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Montenegro, 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, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Education qualification exceeding the specified requirement of this job opening including university degrees and certificates shall not give rise to additional entitlements or benefits, or facilitate a move to the Professional category. The movement of staff members from the General Service and related categories to the Professional category in the United Nations Secretariat is exclusively allowed through the Young Professionals Programme competitive examinations. Only a few staff members pass the competitive examinations. Passing the competitive examinations does not guarantee movement to the Professional category. For further information, please visit https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=GP

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

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.