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ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

Addis Ababa

  • Organization: UNECA - United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
  • Location: Addis Ababa
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Economics
    • Economic, Social and Development, Economic Affairs (and Sustainable Development)
  • Closing Date: Closed

Org. Setting and Reporting

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 position is located in the Macroeconomic Analysis Section (MAS) of the Macroeconomics and Governance Division (MGD) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa is mandated to promote the economic and social development of its member States, foster intraregional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa's development. To find out more about ECA, please go to https://www.uneca.org.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Director of MGD and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Macroeconomic Analysis Section, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

•Monitors economic developments in Africa for the purpose of providing input into policy advice to members states in development planning and macroeconomics management as well as long-term structural transformation.
•Designs and conducts studies of selected issues in economic development through the application of quantitative and qualitative methods, including econometric and statistical analysis; macroeconomic modelling and forecasting; and draft resulting reports.
•Interprets and applies results of econometric modelling to analysis of economic 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.
•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.
•Represents organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings.
•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.
•Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit's service.

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.

Competencies

Professionalism: Proven knowledge and application of forecasting methods and macroeconomic theories and tools of analysis; good command of quantitative techniques for economic analysis as demonstrated by a proven record of publications in internationally refereed journals and books; and ability to take into account insights from other disciplines of development studies; extensive knowledge and application of analysis of structural economic and social development problems in Africa; and demonstrated gender sensitivity and commitment to the goals of mainstreaming gender in economic research and achieving gender balance in staffing. Good problem-solving skills. Ability to interact and negotiate with high-level government officials and provide technical assistance to member States. Proven track record of refereed international academic publications, policy-oriented papers, articles, books or chapters on macroeconomics, economic development and economic governance is required. 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

An Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or related field is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree.

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 macroeconomic policy analysis, including a track record of publications in the area, is desirable.
Proven knowledge and skills in applied quantitative economic analysis and modelling including use of econometric packages such as STATA, SAS and EVIEWS is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in either language is required and knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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 31 October 2019, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, 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, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

United Nations Considerations

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.

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.

No Fee

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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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