Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Job Vacancy in Ethiopia 

Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

Position: Common Operations Analyst

Job Type: Contract

Place of Work: Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Application Deadline: June, 14/2023 

Organization Setting and Reporting

The UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform that repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator - the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at the country level - support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs.

Under the UN Delivering as One (DaO) Standard Operating Procedures and as per the Secretary-General’s efficiency agenda, the UN needs to ensure efficient and effective delivery of results in support of national development priorities. By strengthening the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations support, the UN system can maximize the impact of its development and humanitarian activities.

The implementation of DaO requires a “step change” in the way the UN does business. The Operating as One pillar of the DaO process in Ethiopia is therefore supported by a comprehensive UN Ethiopia Business Operations Strategy (BOS) which complements the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2020-2025. The BOS provides a strategic framework to improve operations efficiency in areas including procurement, human resources, information and communication technologies, legal affairs and business continuity.

Under the overall leadership and guidance of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), the Operations Management Team (OMT) is implementing BOS 2.0 through six OMT Working Groups. Within this concept, the post of the Common Operations Analyst is required to support the OMT and the UNCT. The function is also essential in ensuring the strategic linkages between joint programming under the UNSDCF for 2020-2025 and common operations activities.

Ethiopia has been selected as one of the pilot countries to roll out the Common Back Offices (CBO) in the country. This position will support the roll-out and development and implementation of the CBO strategy.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), the incumbent will work closely with the OMT, OMT Working Groups (WGs) and RCO staff, as well as technical experts regarding common operations activities. The chairperson of the OMT will be delegated to work with the incumbent on a daily basis.

 Job Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Common Operations Analyst will be responsible of the following duties:

 1. PROVIDE SUBSTANTIVE SUPPORT TO THE OMT IN THE SCALING OF THE BUSINESS OPERATIONS STRATEGY (BOS) 2.0 FOR 2020-2025 AT THE COUNTRY LEVEL TO REDUCE DUPLICATION AND IMPROVE EFFICIENCY.

Conduct the required analysis and assessments with OMT to decide priorities in common operations in the BOS 2.0. operational areas including Common ICT, Common Procurement, Common Logistics, Common Finance & Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT), Common Human Resources, and Common Administration.

On an ongoing basis, promote the simplification and harmonization of UN organizations’ systems and procedures, including reviews of business processes and advice to the OMT for informed decision-making.

Ensure the OMT is provided with analysis and recommendations for professionalization and harmonization requirements to improve quality and cost-efficiency through common operations.

Support with the data collection using the BOS Online Platform for reporting on the progress of BOS 2.0 on an annual basis.

Support inter-agency surveys that UNCT, UN RCO and UNECA lead on an annual basis. This includes not limited to Annual Hardship Survey, Place to Place Survey, Local Salary Survey, etc.

 2. SUPPORT THE UNCT IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND ROLL-OUT OF THE COMMON BACK OFFICE/ LOCAL SHARED SERVICE CENTER (CBO/ LSSC) FRAMEWORK AND THE COMMON PREMISES PLAN IN CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COORDINATION OFFICE (R-DCO) AFRICA AND DCO.

Provide substantive support in the development of the Common Premises Plan and CBO/ LSSC in the country.

Establish national baselines, and cost avoidance goals and support the business case development for the implementation of the Common Premises Plan and CBO/ LSSC with the R-DCO and DCO.

Monitor Common Premises Plan and CBO/ LSSC implementation at the country level, identifying and documenting bottlenecks and facilitating solutions, and contributing to scaling-up up innovations.

Liaise with UNDCO HQ on issues that need resolution and recommended solutions from reports on best practices and lessons learned.

Coordinate the annual reporting of the Common Premises Plan and CBO/ LSSC implementation measured from the baseline and provide evidence of cost avoidance and quality improvement.

Provide substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, preparing the meeting minutes, progress reports, etc.

 3. PROVIDE THE OMT AND ITS WORKING GROUPS (WGS) WITH TECHNICAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR THE SUCCESSFUL MONITORING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BOS 2.0 AND TO ENSURE THE DELIVERY OF OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY IN SUPPORT OF THE UNSDCF.

Support the OMT Chairperson(s) in managing and coordinating the overall work of the OMT, as well as reporting results, progress and challenges to the UNCT.

Follow up on OMT meetings, ensure that relevant technical experts present their work and process at meetings, and finalize and disseminate minutes of these meetings.

Support the OMT WGs Chairpersons and their secretariats on a regular basis, including conducting regular meetings and ensuring follow-up on agreed action points.

Support the OMT and its WGs to conduct capacity development training, business seminars for vendors, and surveys on common services including vehicle maintenance, travel, cafeteria, etc.

Provide advice and make recommendations to the OMT on all issues related to common services, including identification and launch of new common services, negotiations with service providers, formulation of draft supplier agreements, and monitoring of the performance of common services.

Maintain a repository of all OMT and OMT WG files.

 4. COORDINATE MONITORING AND REPORTING OF BOS RESULTS UNDER THE UNSDCF.

Support inter-agency efforts on results and progress monitoring and reporting on the BOS 2.0 and CBO/ LSSC, particularly through BOS Online Platform.

Monitor the progress towards the OMT work plan and budget, and the achievements of various common services, and provide regular reports to the OMT Chairperson(s) and the Head of the RCO.

Ensure adherence to UN policies, procedures, standards and tools, proper accounting practices, financial management and control procedures.

 5. SUPPORTS KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT OF THE OMT AND ITS WGS BY SHARING LESSONS LEARNED, RESOLVING CHALLENGES, AND IDENTIFYING AND IMPLEMENTING GLOBAL GOOD PRACTICES IN THE FIELD OF COMMON OPERATIONS.

Support the UNCT and OMT with knowledge management, in particular help maintain an intranet file-sharing platform for all the UN organizations at the country level.

Share and update the relevant OMT and common operations documents, M&E tool, attendance dashboard, local and regional LTA database, IPs database, and HR Roster at the Information Knowledge Management (IKM) platform for the use of all the UN organizations.

Contribute to knowledge sharing (including through training and peer exchange) amongst UN staff on issues related to common operations, Disability Inclusion Strategy, and Gender Environmental Sustainability which are parts of BOS, UN strategic planning frameworks, methodologies and tools.

Identify good practices and lessons learned at the different levels of the UN System (national, regional and global) and share findings with HQ, Regional and country colleagues so that best practices benefit the UN’s work.

 6. MANAGE THE OPERATIONS IN THE RCO IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEVELOPMENT COORDINATION OFFICE (DCO) RULES AND REGULATIONS AND POLICIES AND STRATEGIES.

Provide substantive and analytical support to RC/ RCO in preparing and positioning the UN to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country, including overall support to the UN RCO in matters related to the Delivering as One (DaO) initiative.

Support the Head of RCO in the development and implementation of operational plans, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Support the Head of RCO to prepare and coordinate the implementation of the work program and budget to ensure compatibility with work priorities and objectives, taking into account the most effective use of resources;

Act as a focal point for internal and external audit-related matters (with OIOS and Board of Auditors), and coordination assignments originating from the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), Ethics Office, Management Evaluation Unit (MEU) of United Nations (UN) System Ethiopia or other UN entities.

Maintain close contacts with other ECA Divisions and brings to the attention of the Head of RCO all matters requiring his/her personal attention, assist in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled, and ensures proper follow-up, as directed.

Contributes to the collection and analysis of data and identification of trends or patterns and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Documents requirements and background information used for data analysis.

Perform other duties as required.

 Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis on sustainable development topics, and determine the 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.

 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.

Job Requirements 

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, Business Management, Statistics, International Relations/ Development, social sciences, or a related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Certification in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage

Work Experience

A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in providing strategic support to project/programme management or operational activities in the context of development cooperation or related area is required.

Working experience in Ethiopia is desirable.

One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable

 Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

NOTE: "Fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "Knowledge of" equals a rating of "confident" in two of the four areas.

How to Apply

Register using THIS LINK