Chief of Section, Economic Affairs

UNECA - United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Niamey, Niger

Org. Setting and Reporting

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 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 Sub-regional Office for West Africa (SRO-WA) is located in Niamey (Niger). It is headed by a Director who reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme). Its main objective is to contribute to achieving structural transformation for inclusive and sustainable development in West Africa, focusing on demographics dynamics for development. It is divided into two main sections: Demographic Dynamic for Development Section (DDD) and Sub regional Initiative Sections (SRI).

The Senior Economic Affairs Officer, Chief of section DDD reports to the Director. This position is located in the Demographic Dynamic for Development Section (DDD) Section of the Sub-regional Office for West Africa (SRO-WA) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Niamey Niger. It is headed by a Director who reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme).. The Senior Economic Affairs Officer, Chief of section DDD (P5) reports to the Director of SRO WA.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Economic Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

ECONOMIC OR SECTORAL ANALYSIS:

Leads or participates in the formulation, organization and management of mandated programmes of economic analysis and the formulation of possible economic strategies, policies and actions for adoption by West African and or West Africa Member States the international community.
Leads or participates in the identification of new or emerging development issues of potential concern of West African countries and the region particularly those of a regional or global nature, and designs and develops programmes to address them.
Supervises a team of staff economists and other experts undertaking this work.
Commissions and oversee economic studies and analyses that cannot be undertaken internally.
Conceives, plans and manages expert group meetings, seminars and similar consultations that contribute to the finalization of the work unit’s outputs.
Finalizes reports on development for issuance by the United Nations.
Prepares speeches for senior staff and makes presentations on economic issues for specialist or non-specialist audiences.
Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT:

Provides direct substantive support on development issues to intergovernmental bodies, the Economic and Social Council, the Trade and Development Board, the regional commissions and the subsidiary bodies of each by offering strategic advice, giving technical guidance and assisting in developing a consensus.
Manages the work unit’s contribution to the preparation and management of meetings of intergovernmental bodies.
Represents the organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings on development issues.

TECHNICAL COOPERATION:

Develops and maintains relations with senior officials of member governments and ensures a response to requests for advice and/or assistance on economic issues, demographic dynamic and development issues, and policies.
Negotiates with donor and recipient governments on technical assistance programmes and projects.
Organizes and coordinates cooperation among Member States on demographic dividend issues and economic programmes.
Leads or participates in technical cooperation missions.

PROGRAMME SUPPORT:

Functions as the head of an organizational unit.
Contributes to the formulation of the medium-term plan, the programme of work and the budget of the unit and participate in the formulation of the organization's overall programme of work and other similar endeavours.
Attends to various administrative matters concerning the larger organizational unit (Section or Division).
Performs other related duties as required.

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 develop economic policies and make recommendations on their implementation. 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. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
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.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of 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 ten 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 management/supervision of diverse teams is required. 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 leading and funding projects in business operational transformation and innovative solutions in emergency and development cooperation contexts is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages 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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