Director, D-1

UNECA - United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Kigali, Rwanda

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. This post is located in the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Sub Regional Office for Eastern Africa (SRO-EA) in Kigali, Rwanda. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme), and under the overall supervision of the Executive Secretary. The Sub Regional Office for Eastern Africa serves the following countries: Burundi, Comoros, D.R Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Director of the Sub Regional Office formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the SRO-EA and will be responsible for the following duties:

Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the SRO-EA, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the SRO and Headquarters, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate.
Provides intellectual, technical, and managerial vision and leadership for the SRO-EA.
Serves as principal technical and substantive adviser to the Executive Secretary on all matters pertaining to the regional integration, AfCFTA and cooperation in the Eastern Africa subregion and to the SROs.
In the context of the sub-region, assess economic and social development needs, develops policy, organizes research, designs, and executes programme initiatives, and monitors results in close collaboration with ECA Divisions and other SROs.
Leads, supervises, and carries out the work programme of the SRO-EA. Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units under the SRO-EA and by other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system; provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others.
Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts (ICE) and the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and other policy-making organs as appropriate.
Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.
Ensures that the outputs produced by the SRO-EA maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
Lead the preparation of the work programme of the SRO-EA in determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of SRO-EA, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical balance.
Manages, guides, develops, and trains staff under his/her supervision.
Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Branch/Service/Division and across organizational boundaries.
Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars.
Participates in international, regional, or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. Represents the Division at international, regional, or national meetings.
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.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Has expert knowledge of the substantive field of regional integration and social and economic structural transformation in the context of Africa in general and in the specific areas being supervised; has proven ability to produce reports and documents on such issues and to review and edit the work of others; is able to manage the work of a team requiring an in-depth understanding of its strategic direction and is able to integrate the work of the SRO into the work programme of ECA; Is able to provide expert advice on substantive issues and to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to staff, senior officials and members of the intergovernmental bodies; 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 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.
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.
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.
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, business, public administration, social sciences, development management or related areas is required. Consideration may be given to finance, Accounting, and law. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A Ph.D. in economics or development economics is an advantage. 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 fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in research, management and analysis of socio-economic development issues is required. Experience in leading a team of specialists in an interdisciplinary effort is required. Experience in handling a multidisciplinary portfolio of tasks and duties is required. Experience of management of development programmes in an international organization is desirable. Experience in facilitating and conducting intergovernmental processes is desirable. Experience of regional integration and social and economic structural transformation in the context of Africa is desirable. Experience in human resources management, administration, logistics, financial management, budget, or related field is desirable. 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.

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