Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Advocacy and Partnerships Branch, Division for Policy, Monitoring and Global Advocacy, Office of the Special Adviser on Africa. The Economic Affairs Officer reports to the Senior Programme Management Officer. OSAA is mandated with the provision of advisory, advocacy, coordination and monitoring services in support for Africa’s development.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Economic Affairs Officer contributes to OSAA’s advisory and advocacy functions by undertaking the responsibilities identified below:
Economic or sector analysis:
- Monitors socio-economic developments regarding progress toward sustainable development in Africa and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the United Nations.
- Designs and conducts studies of selected issues in socio-economic development and draft resulting reports.
- Interprets and applies results of modelling to analysis of economic and development 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.
- Organizes expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues.
- Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.
Intergovernmental support:
- Provides substantive support on economic and development issues to intergovernmental bodies such as the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the Peacebuilding Commission, the Security Council and their subsidiary bodies with a view to ensuring that the perspectives of African countries are reflected in intergovernmental discussions and documents. Supports African Member States in participating in intergovernmental processes, including by preparing background documents and delivering presentations on development topics.
- Represents the Office at international, regional and national meetings.
Technical cooperation:
- 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.
- Conducts training seminars and workshops for government officials and others.
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 Office.
- Performs other related duties as required.
- Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.
- Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Deep understanding of Africa’s development context and priorities. 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. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
- Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
- Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in economics, development studies or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.
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 area is required. Experience in intergovernmental affairs, participating in intergovernmental negotiations and/or supporting Member States are required. Experience in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda or Agenda 2063 is required. Experience in African issues is required. Experience in capacity development initiatives is desirable. Two years 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 this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Application instructions
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