United Nation Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

Position: Economic Affairs Officer

Job Time: Full-Time

Job Type: Contract

Place of Work: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Posted date: 1 hour ago

Application Deadline: Dec, 19/2021 (12 days left)

Org. Setting and Reporting

ECA’s mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.

The mission will be guided by ECA’s five new strategic directions which are advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take local solutions to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.

The Macroeconomic and Governance Division (MGD) is headed by a Director and reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Program). The Division is responsible for supporting African member States in their efforts to accelerate economic transformation and inclusive growth through effective development planning, improved macroeconomic management, and economic governance as well as better mobilization and allocation of domestic and international public finance. It is divided into three main sections: Macroeconomic Analysis; Development Planning; and Economic Governance and Public Finance.

This position is located in the Macroeconomic Analysis Section (MAS) of the Macroeconomics and Governance Division (MGD) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Director of MGD and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Macroeconomic Analysis Section, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Monitors economic developments in Africa to provide input into policy advice to members states in development planning and macroeconomics management as well as long-term structural transformation.
• Designs and conducts studies of selected issues in economic development through the application of quantitative and qualitative methods, including econometric and statistical analysis; macroeconomic modeling and forecasting; and draft resulting reports.
• Interprets and applies results of econometric modeling to analysis of economic prospects and policies.
• Develops draft policy recommendations about the 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.
• Organizes expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues.
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.
• Represents organizational unit at international, regional, and national meetings.
• 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 on economic development issues.
• Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit's service.

Competencies

Professionalism: Proven knowledge and application of forecasting methods and macroeconomic theories and tools of analysis; strong command of quantitative techniques for economic analysis as demonstrated by a proven record of publications in internationally refereed journals and books; and ability to take into account insights from other disciplines of development studies; extensive knowledge and application of analysis of structural economic and social development problems in Africa; and demonstrated gender sensitivity and commitment to the goals of mainstreaming gender in economic research and achieving gender balance in staffing. Strong problem-solving skills. Ability to interact and negotiate with high-level government officials and provide technical assistance to member States. Shows pride in work and 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 following 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, 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 instead 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 programs or related areas is required.
• Experience in macroeconomic policy analysis, including a track record of publications in the area, is desirable.
• Proven knowledge and skills in applied quantitative economic analysis and modeling including the use of econometric packages such as STATA, SAS, and EVIEWS are desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in either language is required; 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

• Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff is expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers following established rules and procedures.
• The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographic diversity 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 August 2021, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

 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 offense 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 offenses 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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations following staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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 the “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

How to Apply

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The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on 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 about their 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.