Chief of Section (Corporate Policy, Planning , Monitoring & Reporting Section )

Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN's five regional commissions, the Economic Commission for Africa's (ECA) mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its Member States, foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa's development. Made up of 54 Member States, and playing a dual role as a regional arm of the UN and as a key component of the African institutional landscape, ECA is well positioned to make unique contributions to address the Continent’s development challenges. The strategic objective of ECA is framed around delivering ideas and actions for an empowered, inclusive and transformed Africa in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 of the African Union through its three core functions, namely, its function as a think tank, its convening function and its operational function.

This post is located in the Strategic Planning, Oversight and Results Division (SPORD) at the Economic Commission for Africa. The Chief of the Corporate Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Section (CPMRS) reports to the Director of the Division. The CPMRS will take the lead in designing regular and extra-budgetary programmes and projects including XB, RPTC and DA, coordinating policy development issues and monitoring and reporting results at the Corporate level.

Within delegated authority, the Chief of CPMRS will be responsible for the following duties:

•Coordinates the development of ECA’s Strategic Framework, by coordinating policy development, reviewing the assessments of issues and trends, preparing research activities and studies, developing guidelines and contributing to setting priorities;
•Undertakes survey initiatives; guides design of data collection instruments; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
•Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications;
•Directs substantive support to consultative and other meetings and conferences to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations;
•Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops and seminars and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;
•Provides support to Divisions, Sub-regional Offices (SROs) and IDEP in establishing Policy issues that impact the organization’s mandate; ensures the effective integration of new mandates to the programme of work as well as follow up to resolutions;
•Coordinates the substantive servicing of the annual session of the Commission/ Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (CoM) and participates in the Inter-Governmental Committee of Experts (ICEs) in the sub-regions;
•Coordinates the preparation of major documents of the Commission, to include ECA’s Annual Report for the Conference of Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (COM), Intergovernmental Committee of Experts (ICEs), United Nations Headquarters, the General Assembly (GA), the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) with regard to the implementation of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences. This also includes prepares inputs to system-wide, inter-agency policy processes, surveys etc.;
•Monitors compliance with UN reforms, to include data collection, analysis, reporting in line with UNSDG policies and system-wide strategic framework; monitors follow up to the Statement of Collaboration between UNSDG and Regional Commissions for the implementation of Agenda 2030, the AU-UN Development Framework and bridge with the UN-AU Peace and Security Framework;
•Monitors compliance with UN mandates, to include UN-SWAP by ensuring compliance with gender mainstreaming guidelines to assess the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels; and the environmental impact of ECA’s programme of work, to include tracking of the Commission’s carbon footprint;
•Organizes periodically briefings and learning events on corporate policy & accountability framework to include on the ECA’s Project Management Manual; leads the process of updating the ECA Project management manual in line with the ECA evolving business model and best practices in the industry; and leads the roll-out of the Manual through training workshops, including providing backstopping services on RBM models, accountability framework, approaches, tools etc. contained in the Manual;
•Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries;
•Coordinates the development of the Annual Business Plan for the Commission; coordinates the substantive design, preparation and formulation of quality programmes/projects documents in line with UN policies and procedures for XB, DA and RPTC programmes, ECA’s programme manual, as well as Partners’ areas of interest; directs review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions.
•Performs oversight and track results for the ECA’s programmatic work and programme support both at the outcome and output levels for RB, XB, DA and RPTC programmes, aided by UMOJA Business Intelligence and complementary tools, if required, such as Balanced Scorecard; monitors conformity with project documents and compliance with partners‘ agreements; coordinates periodic oversight and results reports for internal and external audiences;
•Coordinates the development of an effective Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework with a focus on programmatic and programme support in line with secretariat-wide guidelines; coordinates oversight and reporting on the ERM.
•Serves as an effective spokesperson and establishes collaboration and partnerships with key officials at all levels inside and outside the organization;
•Ensures effective utilization, supervision and development of staff; guides, evaluates and mentors staff; and
•May perform other duties as required.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

•Counterparts, senior officers and technical staff at ECA, in relevant Secretariat units and in UN funds, programmes and other UN specialized agencies.
•Representatives and officials in national governments, international organizations, consultants

Results expected:

Develops, monitors and reports on corporate wide results through effective oversight of the Commission’s programme of work. Provides direction and sound and innovative advice on a wide range of issues, including developing strategies for issues on a long-term and large-scale basis, provides oversight and recommendations, where relevant, on corporate results at outputs and outcomes levels that ensure the best interests of the organization, and/or client. Delivers thorough, well-reasoned contributions, e.g., policy recommendations, complex papers, analysis, substantive sections of reports and studies, publications.

•Professionalism: Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. 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 & 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.

•Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors 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.

•Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

•Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field. A first level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area. Previous experience in carrying development policy work in a multilateral organisation is desirable.

Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 September 2018, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belarus, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

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.

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move(s) requirements, or geographical to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral or geographical move(s) in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.

An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

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.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.

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.