Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), which is a regional arm of the United Nations established to promote economic and social development in African countries. The ECA was founded in 1958 and has since been instrumental in providing a platform for dialogue and collaboration among African nations. The organization focuses on various areas including economic development, trade, and governance, and aims to support member states in achieving sustainable development goals. The ECA operates across multiple countries in Africa, working with governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to enhance economic growth and development. It employs a diverse team of professionals dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by the continent, and it engages in research, policy analysis, and capacity building to foster inclusive growth and development across Africa.

Job Overview:
The Consultant position is situated within the Director’s office of the Macroeconomics, Finance and Governance Division (MFGD) at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The primary function of this role is to provide substantive economic analyses that will contribute to the formulation of informed, evidence-based policies and strategies aimed at enhancing African export trade, industrial development, and overall economic growth. The Consultant will be expected to develop robust economic methodologies to analyze trends in these areas, collect and compile relevant data, and conduct comprehensive analyses using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The ultimate goal is to derive evidence-based policy recommendations that will support sustainable economic growth and resource mobilization for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 203

• The position requires active participation in drafting sections of the 2025 Economic Report for Africa and engaging in outreach activities to disseminate findings and promote dialogue on economic development issues in Africa.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Consultant will be responsible for a variety of duties under the supervision of the Director of the MFGD. Key responsibilities include:

• Providing substantive economic analyses on African export trade, industry development, and economic growth, contributing to the production of the 2025 Economic Report for Africa.
• Developing robust economic methodologies to analyze trends in African export trade and industrial development.
• Collecting and compiling relevant data from credible sources to support in-depth economic analysis.
• Conducting comprehensive analyses using quantitative and qualitative methods to identify key drivers and barriers to export trade and industrial growth in Africa.
• Deriving evidence-based policy recommendations to enhance trade policies and foster sustainable economic growth.
• Actively participating in drafting relevant sections of the 2025 Economic Report for Africa.
• Preparing analytical reports, background papers, and inputs for publications that highlight economic development trends and challenges faced by African nations.
• Engaging in outreach activities, including delivering presentations and conducting training workshops.
• Assessing financing gaps for African countries to achieve the SDGs by 203
• 1
• Developing and implementing methodologies to assess financing needs and gaps for achieving the SDGs. 1
• Conducting evaluations of current funding mechanisms and financial flows. 1
• Contributing to policy development by reviewing and analyzing issues related to SDG financing. 1
• Preparing detailed reports and policy briefs on financing gaps and potential solutions. 1
• Supporting the organization of meetings and workshops focused on SDG financing. 1
• Utilizing data visualization techniques to present findings on financing gaps and investment needs.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master's level) in Economics or Public Policy, with a strong focus on macroeconomics, trade, and development economics. Expertise in econometrics, particularly in time series and panel data analysis, as well as impact evaluation, is highly desirable. Additional coursework or certifications in econometrics and quantitative methods will be considered an advantage. A minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in economic analysis, with a specific emphasis on macroeconomics, econometrics, and trade development, is required. Demonstrated experience using statistical software such as Stata, Python, and R is essential. Proficiency in using advanced econometric techniques for economic modeling and policy analysis is required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's level) in Economics or Public Policy. The educational background should emphasize macroeconomics, trade, and development economics, ensuring that the candidate has a solid foundation in these critical areas. Additional qualifications in econometrics and quantitative methods will be beneficial and may enhance the candidate's suitability for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in economic analysis, specifically focusing on macroeconomics, econometrics, and trade development. Candidates should have a proven track record of conducting economic analyses and developing policy recommendations based on their findings. Experience in using statistical software such as Stata, Python, and R is essential, as well as proficiency in advanced econometric techniques for economic modeling and policy analysis.

Languages:
Fluency in both written and oral English is required for this position, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication and collaboration within the organization and with member states.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for a duration of 5 weeks. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. Additionally, the organization does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.