Position description
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. The position is located in the Regional Integration and Trade Division (RITD) at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Director of RITD.
Responsibilities
Within the delegated authority, the Principal Regional Advisor will be responsible for the following duties:
- Provide strategic and technical advisory services to the Permanent Missions of African countries in Geneva on policies and strategies relating to the multilateral trade negotiations and their implication on regional integration and sustainable development of the continent;
- The AfCFTA; support member States in developing AfCFTA implementation strategies; through policy analysis, assist member States in understanding the implications for the AfCFTA for other trade and investment agreements (bilateral and multilateral, including at the WTO);
- Enhance Africa’s bargaining power in global trade and strengthening the African Group at the WTO to build unified and evidence informed positions that are coherent with the deepening of the regional integration and the AfCFTA, including through the preparation of position papers and technical studies based on ECA analytical work;
- Develop institutional capacity for deepening intra-African trade through regional value chains in Africa;
- Design frameworks and guidelines for the deepening of the role of the private sector in ECA member States and their institutions including through the preparation of position papers and technical studies based on ECA analytical work;
- Enable member States to harmonize their multilateral trade negotiations positions regarding their policies and strategies for trade, investment, environment, competition, intellectual property and e-commerce in coherence with the context of the AfCFTA and regional integration programmes;
- Build effective partnerships with other UN system agencies and bilateral partners through joint activities, continuous dialogue, mobilization of support and knowledge sharing with ECA member States;
- 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;
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Expert knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and in the specific areas being supervised; 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 Centre team 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. 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
- Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors 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. Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction;
- 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 improvement; does not accept the status quo. 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.
Education
- An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in economics, law, international public policy or related fields is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified 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.
Work Experience
- A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in economics and sustainable development is required;
- Experience working on multilateral, regional and bilateral trade and climate issues gained through research is required;
- Experience providing support to negotiation of trade agreements, investment agreements and climate change issues is required;
- Experience in providing advisory services at national, regional and international levels is required;
- Experience working on issues related to developing economies 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.
Application instructions
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