ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN's five regional commissions, ECA's 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 Natural Resources Management Section, CEND of the Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Natural Resources Management Section, the incumbent is responsible for the following duties:

Within delegated authority, the duties of an Economic Affairs Officer are likely to fall mainly into one of the three functional areas identified below.
Economic or sector analysis:
• Monitors economic developments and policy trends in natural resources dependent countries and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of economic, social and environmental sustainability as per the SDGs;

• Designs and conducts studies on the impacts of technological advancements, innovation, environmental and social exclusion on sustainable mineral and natural gas resources for economic development and draft resulting reports;

• Interprets and applies results of econometric modelling and analysis of mineral and gas value chains and their development prospects and recommended policies;

• Develops draft policy recommendations pertaining to minerals and natural gas policies, fiscal regimes and governance and participatory processes their development;

• Formulates proposals for natural resources 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 mineral and natural gas development policy issues;

• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.

Intergovernmental support:
• Provides substantive support on economic issues to intergovernmental bodies (such as the General Assembly, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Economic and Social Council, the Trade and Development Board, the regional commissions and the subsidiary bodies of each);

• Represents organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings.

Technical cooperation:
• Designs and monitors technical cooperation projects;

• 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;

• 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-Departmental 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.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
Staff within work unit/section; counterparts in other UN, regional and global development organizations;
Senior officials in government, academia and research institutions.

Results Expected:
Prepares in-depth qualitative and quantitative analyses of diverse aspects of the development challenges faced by developing countries and economies in transition; formulates sound policy proposals; recommends project activities; develops well-designed programmes of analysis of development issues; provides guidance and leadership to less senior staff.

• Professionalism: Ability to apply a value chain analysis and sustainability concepts across mineral and natural gas resources management and sustainable development. Ability to conduct independent research on innovation, technology, industrialization and sustainable natural resources management topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. 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 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.

An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in development economics, public policy, natural resources management environmental and resources law and public administration or related field is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in specified fields with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

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.

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.

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 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 November 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, Montenegro, Mozambique, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 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.

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.