Economic Affairs Officer, P-4

UNECA - United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Yaounde, Cameroon

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 new 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 solution 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 Subregional Office for Central Africa (SRO-CA) is located in Yaoundé (Cameroon). It is headed by a Director who reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme). Its main objective is to contribute to achieving economic diversification and structural transformation for inclusive and sustainable development in an integrated Central Africa subregion with focus on economic diversification policy and reforms. This position is located in the Sub-regional Office for Central Africa (SRO-CA) of the Economic Commission for Africa in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The position is usually focused on a sub-specialty such as macroeconomics, development economics, international economics (trade, finance and investment), public economics, environmental economics, gender economics or a specific economic sector or sectors. The Economic Affairs Officer reports to the Chief of the Economic Diversification Policy Reforms Section.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the duties of an Economic Affairs Officer are likely to fall mainly into one of the three functional areas identified below. (These duties are generic may not be carried out by all Economic Affairs Officers.).

Economic or sector analysis:

Monitors economic developments in a economic diversification and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the United Nations.
Designs and conducts studies of selected issues in economic diversification and sustainable development 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, projects 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 economic diversification, trade and sustainable 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 Inetrgovernmental committee of senior experts (ICSOE) 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 on industrialisation, trade and economic diversification in Central Africa.
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, grooming them, 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, 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.
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 and 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

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

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. 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Experience with developing strategies for development cooperation, with designing and delivering of frameworks and services for interorganizational collaboration is desirable. Experience in project management and evaluation matters relating to multilateral environmental agreements at a national or international level is required. Experience in developing and/or presenting reports and data, as well as facilitating meetings is desirable. Experience working with Major Groups and Stakeholders in intergovernmental fora and/or working in the organization of a diverse range of stakeholder groups in complex process is desirable. Experience working with Member States and other actors for the purposes of fundraising is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working language of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English or French, is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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