The 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. 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 a 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. This position is located in the Regional Integration and Trade Division (RITD), Market Institutions Section (MIS) of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The incumbent will work under the general guidance of the Director of the division and directly reports to the Chief of the Market Institutions Section of RITD.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Economic Affairs Officer will carry out the following functions.
Economic or sector analysis
Develops socio-economic databases and qualitative information necessary for specified recurrent or ad hoc assignments.
Conducts technical and empirical studies and prepares policy papers on topical issues, with a special focus Africa’s regional and global economic integration through investment and trade Interprets, applies and, as necessary, adapts econometric models to determine trends, patterns and relationships and to analyse the effects of alternative policies and assumptions.
Drafts specified inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on selected global, regional, national or sector aspects of economic development.
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.
Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues.
Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff. Intergovernmental support
Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies.
Follows intergovernmental meetings and prepares summary 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
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.
Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects.
Provides technical assistance and advisory services to the African Union Commission, the African Regional Economic Communities (RECs), member States and relevant institutions General
Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s services.
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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with 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 five years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area is required. Exposure to work on investment and trade and/or global value chains is required. Experience in conducting and publishing interdisciplinary, empirical and or policy research in these areas is desirable. Knowledge of Africa’s regional integration issues is desirable. 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
Languages
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.
