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 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 Climate Change, Food Security and Natural Resources Division (CFND) is headed by a Director and reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme). The Division is responsible for strengthening the capacity member States for inclusive and sustainable development through harnessing land, natural resources, and the green and blue economies, and to enhance climate-resilience and achieve food security. It is divided into three main sections: African Climate Policy Centre; Natural Resources and Green and Blue Economy Section; and Land and Agricultural Transformation Section. This position is located in the Land and Agricultural Transformation Section (LATS) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Economics Affairs Officer works under the direct supervision of the Chief of Land and Agricultural Section (LATS) and under the overall guidance of the Director of the Climate Change, Food Security and Natural Resources Division (CFND).
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the duties of an Economic Affairs Officer will perform the following duties:
Economic or sector analysis
- Monitor developments in Africa’s land and agri-food systems and identify recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the United Nations;
- Designs and conducts research studies of selected issues related to land, agricultural transformation, and food security and draft resulting reports;
- Interprets and applies results of land, agriculture and food security related research to analyse land, agriculture and related sectoral policies;
- Develops draft policy recommendations pertaining to land, agriculture and food security;
- 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.
Intergovernmental support
- Provides substantive support on economic issues to intergovernmental bodies;
- Represents organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings.
Technical cooperation
- Designs and monitors technical cooperation projects in the field areas of land management, agriculture and food security;
- 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 land and agricultural transformation issues;
- Conducts training seminars and workshops for government officials and others;
- Formulates technical modalities for the evaluation of individual technical cooperation projects.
General
- Supports junior staff, reviewing their work and providing feedback;
- Participates in intra- and inter-Division undertakings of broader concern to represent the views or interests of the organizational unit;
- Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s service;
- Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally;
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts as related to agricultural and food systems transformation and land management, including value chains development, agro-industrialization, climate resilient food systems and land tenure and governance. 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;
- 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
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, agricultural economics or related field is required. A first level university degree in a combination with additional two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in research, policy analysis, advocacy, technical assistance and capacity development in agricultural development, food systems transformation and land management using economic theories and concepts is required. Specific experience developing and leading implementation of technical cooperation projects in agro-industrialization and trade, climate resilient food systems, land governance and management is desirable. Two years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working language of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised fluency in English or French is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another language is desirable.
Application instructions
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