Job Opening

Posting Title: ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OFFICER, P4

Job Code Title: ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
Department/ Office: Economic Commission for Africa
Duty Station: ADDIS ABABA
Posting Period: 29 February 2024-13 April 2024
Job Opening number: 24-ECO-ECA-228420-R-ADDIS ABABA(G)
Staffing Exercise ID: N/A

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

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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 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 Macroeconomic and Governance Division (MGD) is headed by a Director and 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 management and economic governance as well as better
mobilization and allocation of domestic and international public finance. It is divided into three sections:
Macroeconomic Analysis; Development Planning; and Economic Governance and Public Finance.

This position is located in the Development Planning Section of the Macroeconomics and Governance
Division (MGD) of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The Economic Affairs Officer reports to
the Chief of the Development Planning Section.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Development Planning Accessibility
Section, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:

Economic or sector analysis

• Monitors economic developments in a defined area and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of
concern to the United Nations.
• Designs and conducts studies of selected issues in economic development and draft resulting reports.
• Actively contributes to the upgrades and rollout of development planning tools such as the Integrated
Planning and Reporting Tool (IPRT).
• Interprets and applies results of econometric modelling to analysis of economic prospects and policies.
• Undertakes research on emerging issues in development planning and global development agendas.
• Develops draft policy recommendations pertaining to the 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.

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).
• Represent 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.
• Reviews and aligns programmatic deliverables with the Cooperation Frameworks of member states

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.
• 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.

Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and
sustainable development. Ability to conduct independent research on economic topics, and 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and
convey resulting information to management.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets
messages from others, and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in
having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style, and format to match audience;
demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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 Accessibility
adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or a related field is required. A
first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying 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.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis,
policy formulation, and application of economic principles in development programmes or related areas is
required.

Two years or more of experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable.

Experience in development planning in the developing countries context is desirable.

A proven track record of refereed international academic publications, policy-oriented papers, articles,
books, or chapters on macroeconomics and economic development is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position
advertised, fluency in English or French 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 a
competency-based interview.

Special Notice

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.

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.

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.

Pursuant to section 6.9 of ST/AI/2010/3/Rev. 1, interns, consultants, individual contractors and gratis Accessibility
personnel may not apply for or be appointed to any vacancy in the Professional or higher categories
within six months of the end of their current or most recent service.
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 un-represented or under-
represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 Jan 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Andorra, Angola,
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic
of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel,
Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands,
Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea,
Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi
Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates,
United States of America, Vanuatu.

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.

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.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the Accessibility
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.

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