Economic Affairs Officer

Org. Setting and ReportingThe Economic Commission for Africa's (ECA) mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. This mission is 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; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure development, 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. This position is located in the Regional Integration Section, Regional Integration and Trade Division (RITD), of Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Economic Affairs Officer reports to the Regional Integration Chief of Section. Within delegated authority, the duties of the Economic Affairs Officer fall into four functional areas identified below: ResponsibilitiesEconomic or sector analysis • Develops socio-economic databases and qualitative information necessary for specified recurrent or ad hoc assignments. • Interprets, applies and, as necessary, adapts econometric models to determine trends, patterns and relationships and to analyze the effects of alternative policies and assumptions. • Monitors economic developments and regional integration trends on the African continent and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the United Nations. • Designs and conducts research and analyses on selected issues in economic development, including on the different dimensions of economic integration and substantively contributes in the drafting of relevant reports such as the Assessing Regional Integration in Africa (ARIA) report and the Africa Synthesized Regional Integration Index (ASRII). • Drafts specified inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on selected global, regional, national or sector aspects of economic development and structural transformation. • Identifies and analyses policy proposals made elsewhere relating to assigned topics. • Attends international, regional, and national meetings to collect information and to hold discussions with colleagues in other institutions such as the African Union, the African Development Bank, AfreximBank and Regional Economic Communities. • Formulates proposals for development strategies, policies and measures for presentation to intergovernmental and related bodies and entities. • Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development and integration issues. • Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff. Intergovernmental support • Provides substantive support on economic issues and economic integration matters to intergovernmental bodies such as the General Assembly, the United Nation Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Trade and Development Board, the Regional Commissions and their respective subsidiary bodies. • Provide substantive support to ECA's collaborative work with Regional Economic Communities in close collaboration with the Commission's Sub-Regional Offices • Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies such as the Conference of Ministers of Finance and Economic Development, as well as relevant Sub-Committee Sessions. Represents organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings, follows up on deliberations at intergovernmental meetings and prepares relevant 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 development issues for intergovernmental processes. Technical cooperation • Substantively contributes in the preparation of global, regional, national or sectoral analyses that serve as a basis for advising national governments and regional economic communities on economic development, trade and broder economic integration issues. • Supports the operationalization of regional and global frameworks to the benefit of ECA member states and RECs, such as the Awaza Programme Action (APOA) for Landlocked Developing countries, the AfCFTA-anchored Pharmaceutical Value Chains Initiative for Africa and the Free Movement of Peoples and Migrations for trade Initiative of the Commission. • Conducts training seminars and workshops for government officials and others. • Participates in missions on development issues, usually as a member of a team. • 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 sector technical cooperation projects, as well as supports monitoring and evaluation of such projects. • Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects. General • Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s services. • Supports junior staff, reviewing their work and providing feedback. • Participates in intra- and inter-inter-partmental undertakings of broader concern to represent the views or interests of the organizational unit. • 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. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development. Ability to conduct independent research on economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing 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; works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; 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. The ability 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 adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. EducationAn advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in economics or related fields is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in economics or related fields of studies with two additional years of relevant 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. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of five years of progressive responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area is required. Experience in Africa or on African related issues is desirable. Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development is desirable. Ability to conduct independent research on economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources is desirable. One year or more of experience in data analytics or a related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, either English or French is required. 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).