Position description
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 solution 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 Subregional Office for Central Africa (SRO-CA) is located in Yaoundé (Cameroon). It is headed by a Director who reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme). Its main objective is to contribute to achieving economic diversification and structural transformation for inclusive and sustainable development in an integrated Central Africa subregion with focus on economic diversification policy and reforms.
These positions are located in the Economic Diversification Policy and Reforms Section and Sub-regional Initiatives Section of the Sub-regional Office for Central Africa (SRO-CA) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The Economic Affairs Officers report to the Chief of the Economic Diversification and Policy Reforms Section and the Chief of the Sub-regional initiatives Section under the leadership of the Director of the Subregional Office for Central Africa.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the duties and responsibilities of the Economic Affairs Officers are as follows:
ECONOMIC AND/OR SECTOR ANALYSIS:
- Collects and analyses data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables, and reports using statistical, econometrical and data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting;
- Conduct economic and/or sector analysis to inform economic diversification, industrialization and structural transformation recurrent or ad hoc reports and meetings;
- Interprets, applies and, as necessary, adapts econometric models to determine trends, patterns and relationships and to analyze the effects of alternative policies towards economic diversification and assumptions;
- Drafts specified inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on selected global, regional, national or sector aspects of economic diversification, industrialization, structural transformation and sustainable development in Central Africa;
- 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;
- Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, workshops etc. on economic diversification and sustainable development issues in Central Africa;
- 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:
- Participates in missions on economic diversification and sustainable development issues, usually as a member of a team;
- Organizes training seminars and ad-hoc experts’ meetings for national and subregional 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.
Competencies
- PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic diversification, inclusive industrialization, structural transformation and sustainable development. Ability to conduct independent research on economic and sustainable development topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skills 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. Ability to analyse and interpret data in support of decision-making;
- 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.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
- Successful completion of data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.
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 area is required;
- Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable;
- Experience in supporting regional integration and economic development in Africa is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English or French language is required; and knowledge of the other is desirable.
Application instructions
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