SOCIAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

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 strategic directions which are:(a) 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; (b) Developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; (c) Designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; (d) Contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; (e) Advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues. The Macroeconomics and Governance Division (MGD) is headed by a director who reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme). 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 governance as well as improved mobilization of resources to ensure inclusive growth and structural transformation within its members. It’s divided into three main sections: Macroeconomic Analysis, Institutions & Economic Governance Section (MIGS), Finance and Domestic Resource Mobilization Section (FDRMS), Sustainable Development and Integrated Planning Section (SDIPS). This position is located in the Sustainable Development and Integrated Planning Section (SDIPS) and the Social Affairs Officer will report to the Chief of SDIPS.

Within delegated authority and under the overall direction of the Director of MGD and the direct supervision of the Chief of SDIPS, the Social Affairs Officer will carry out the following duties: Social Analysis • Participates in the analysis of sustainable development, development planning and urban development issues at the global, regional, national and sub-national levels; undertakes empirical research and analysis of trends and developments and related policy issues relevant to Division mandate, projects and initiatives; and recommends proposals for inclusion in reports to intergovernmental bodies, member states. • Develops indicators and methodologies for review and evaluation of sustainable development, urban development and integrated planning. • Liaises with officials of governments, representatives of national, regional and global organizations of the UN system, etc. on sustainable development, urban development and integrated planning policy issues related to the implementation of specific programmes, action plans or other initiatives, and provides advice on a range of related matters. • Assists in the planning, organizing and servicing of technical and ad hoc expert group meetings; drafting reports and preparing summaries of meetings, etc. • Represents the Division at international and other meetings; organizes and participates in working groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on social and economic development-related matters. • Prepares/contributes to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g., draft reports or sections of analytical reports, studies, background papers, parliamentary documents, briefings, correspondence, etc. 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 sustainable development and integrated planning issues for intergovernmental processes. Technical Cooperation • Organizes training seminars for national experts. • Prepares documentation for technical cooperation programmes and projects. • Contributes to the preparation of material for the approval of regional, country or sectoral technical cooperation projects. • Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects. • Participates in fact-finding and advisory missions to government and other activities in support of work programme. • Assists the section in mobilizing internal and partner resources (extra-budgetary resources, grants, and joint-funded activities) to finance non-recurrent activities and overall ECA engagement on sustainable development and integrated planning matters. General • Provides guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff. • Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s services. • 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.

• Professionalism: Knowledge and practical application of theories and concepts related to social development, social policy, sustainable development, development planning and / or urban development, including ability to use approaches and techniques to address difficult problems. Strong analytical capacity and the ability to identify, analyze and articulate difficult issues/problems. Ability to use sound judgment. Strong research skills, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources using standard methodologies and analytical techniques, draw conclusions and assess impact on social development and policy issues. Ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff. 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. • 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.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international development, development planning, urban planning, economics, sociology, or other social science or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two 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 an advantage.

Not available.

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in development planning, urban development, sustainable development, socio-economic development, policy analysis, sociological research, or related areas is required. Experience in quantitative analysis and research in sustainable development, development planning, and / or urban development is desirable. Experience in developing countries is desirable. Experience in supporting the delivery of technical assistance to member States is desirable. 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat is required. Knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult

https://languages.un.org

for details).

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Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

English

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

French

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include assessment exercises, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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 on the basis of 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 background, 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. Applicants who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. Applicants who have reached the mandatory age of separation are not eligible to apply for job openings. Pursuant to section 6.10 of ST/AI/2025/2, Interns, consultants, individual contractors, and gratis personnel may not apply for or be appointed to any vacancy in the Professional or higher categories and for positions at the FS-6 and FS-7 levels in the Field Service category within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. This restriction does not apply to Junior Professional Officers appointed under the Staff Rules or to United Nations Volunteers. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals' programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 June 2026, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, People's Republic of China, Cuba, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Monaco, Oman, Paraguay, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Turkmenistan, United States of America, Andorra, Brunei Darussalam, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu. .

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 offence 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 offences 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of 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 pertaining to their personal 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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.