Chief of Employment & Skills for Balanced Development Section

Job Posting Organization:
The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is a regional arm of the United Nations established to promote economic and social development in Africa. ECA's mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa, informed by the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 206

• The organization operates with a focus on advancing its position as a premier knowledge institution, developing macroeconomic and structural policy options, and advocating for Africa's position at the global level. ECA is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and has several sub-regional offices, including the Sub Regional Office for Northern Africa (SRO-NA) located in Rabat, Morocco. The organization aims to contribute to achieving structural transformation and balanced development in Africa, particularly through creating employment opportunities for women and young people. ECA employs a diverse workforce and is committed to gender balance and geographical diversity in its staffing.

Job Overview:
The Chief of Employment & Skills for Balanced Development Section is a senior position within the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) that involves leading and managing economic analysis and policy formulation related to employment and skills development in North Africa. The incumbent will be responsible for conducting economic or sectoral analysis, identifying emerging development issues, and designing programs to address these challenges. This role requires a strong understanding of economic theories and concepts, as well as the ability to apply them in various sectors of sustainable development. The Chief will supervise a team of economists, oversee the preparation of reports and research papers, and represent the organization at international and regional meetings. The position also entails providing substantive support to intergovernmental bodies and managing technical cooperation initiatives with member states. The Chief will play a crucial role in enhancing the capacities of member states to design and implement effective growth and employment policies, ensuring that the work unit's outputs contribute to the overall mission of ECA.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Chief of Employment & Skills for Balanced Development Section will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Leading the formulation and management of economic analysis programs and strategies for adoption by the international community.
• Identifying new or emerging development issues and designing programs to address them.
• Conceptualizing and developing knowledge products and training exercises to enhance staff capacities.
• Supervising a team of economists, reviewing and editing reports and research papers.
• Commissioning external economic studies and analyses.
• Organizing expert group meetings and consultations to finalize work unit outputs.
• Preparing speeches and presentations on economic issues for various audiences.
• Providing substantive support to intergovernmental bodies on development issues.
• Managing the work unit's contributions to intergovernmental meetings. 1
• Developing and maintaining relationships with senior officials of member governments. 1
• Negotiating technical assistance programs with donor and recipient governments. 1
• Leading technical cooperation missions and coordinating cooperation among member states. 1
• Contributing to the formulation of the medium-term plan and budget of the unit. 1
• Attending to administrative matters concerning the organizational unit. 1
• Collecting and analyzing data to identify trends for data-driven planning and decision-making.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in economics or a related field, with the ability to apply economic theories and concepts effectively. They should demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter, with a commitment to achieving results and meeting deadlines. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of conducting independent research, developing economic policies, and making recommendations for their implementation. Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret data in support of decision-making are essential. Candidates should also exhibit leadership qualities, including the ability to empower others and drive change within the organization.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or a related field is required for this position. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A PhD in economics or a related field is considered an advantage, as it demonstrates a higher level of expertise and research capability.

Experience:
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, and the application of economic principles in development programs is required. Candidates should have experience in growth, employment, and development analysis, along with a strong refereed publication record. Experience in data analytics and quantitative economic analysis is also desirable, as it will enhance the candidate's ability to contribute to the organization's objectives effectively.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French. For this position, proficiency in either English or French is required, while knowledge of the other language is desirable. Additionally, knowledge of another UN official language is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication and collaboration within the organization and with member states.

Additional Notes:
The appointment is subject to the availability of the post or funds, and staff members are expected to adhere to the authority of the Secretary-General. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and geographical diversity in its staffing, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The organization also emphasizes the importance of creating a diverse and inclusive environment. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities to support their participation in the recruitment process. The position may involve periodic relocations to different duty stations as part of the organization's mobility policy.