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 is 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 Northern Africa (SRO-NA) in Rabat, Morocco. Its main objective is to contribute to achieving structural transformation and balanced development through implementation of an environment conducive to the creation of employment for women and young people in North Africa. The Sub Regional Office for Northern Africa serves the following countries: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme Support), and under the overall supervision of the Executive Secretary.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Director of the Sub Regional Office formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the SRO-NA and: • Oversees the management of activities undertaken by SRO-NA, 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-NA. • Serves as principal technical and substantive adviser to the Executive Secretary on all matters pertaining to the objective of the SRO, regional integration, the AfCFTA and cooperation in the Northern Africa subregion. • In the context of the sub-region, assess economic and social development needs, formulates relevant policy options, organizes research, designs and executes programme initiatives, and monitors results in close collaboration with ECA Divisions and other SROs. • Formulates, leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of SRO-NA under their responsibility. Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units under SRO-NA 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 Senior Officials and Experts (ICSOE) and the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly 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 SRO-NA maintain high-quality standards, that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. • Ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under their supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. • Leads knowledge generation and dissemination across the sub-region. • Leads policy advocacy and outreach across the sub-region. • Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/ administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of SRO-NA, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/ programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (e-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 their supervision. • Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the SRO 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 identifying new partnerships for the Division to leverage outputs and implement activities. • Represents the SRO and/ or the Commission at international, regional or national meetings. • Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Expert knowledge of regional integration and social and economic structural transformation in the context of Africa in general and of specific areas being supervised. Proven ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability 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. Ability 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. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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. • 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. 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

An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in economics, social sciences, development management or a related area is required; consideration may be given to degrees in business or public administration, finance, accounting and law. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A PhD in economics is an advantage

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in economic research, management and analysis of socio-economic development issues is required. Experience in leading a team of specialists in an interdisciplinary effort is required. Management experience in development programmes in an international organization is desirable. Experience in facilitating and conducting intergovernmental processes is desirable. Regional experience in integration and social and economic structural transformation in the context of developing countries is desirable. Prior experience working in the United Nations Common System or a similar, large multilateral institution or international NGO is desirable. Experience in developing, implementing and coordinating change management strategies and managing a multidisciplinary portfolio in a sensitive and highly demanding environment is desirable. Experience in strategic planning and management at the regional or sub-regional level in an international development context is desirable. Experience promoting policy coherence and integrated delivery is desirable. Experience in human resources management, administration, logistics, financial management, budget or a related field is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in French is required; and knowledge of English is desirable. Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural, and ethnic background, or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. Applicants who have reached the mandatory age of separation are not eligible to apply for job openings. Pursuant to section 6.4 ST/AI/2010/3/Rev. 3, please ensure that you have met the eligibility requirements as shown below: 6.4 (a) Staff members who entered on duty before the effective date of the present administrative instruction shall have at least one geographical move, as defined in section 1 (h) above, before being eligible to be considered for jobs at the P-5 level and above. The following transitional measures will apply: (i) Staff members who entered on duty before the effective date of the present administrative instruction (other than staff members serving in language jobs, see section 6.4 (a) (ii) below) can be considered for higher-level jobs on the basis of having satisfied the lateral move requirements as set out in section 6.4 of ST/AI/2010/3/Rev.2 or on the basis of having satisfied the geographical move requirement under the present administrative instruction, whichever basis best facilitates the staff member’s eligibility, up to and including the last day of the fifth year following the effective date of the present administrative instruction. 6.4 (b) Staff members (including staff serving in language jobs) who enter on duty on or after the effective date of the present administrative instruction will be required to have the following number of geographical moves before being eligible to be considered for jobs at the P-5 level and above: (i) Staff members who enter on duty at the P-4 or lower level shall have at least one geographical move, as defined in section 1 (h) above, before being eligible to be considered for jobs at the P-5 level and at least two geographical moves before being eligible to be considered for jobs at the D-1 level and above. (ii) Staff members who enter on duty at the P-5 level shall have at least one geographical move, as defined in section 1 (h) above, before being eligible to be considered for jobs at the D-1 level and above. 6.4 (c) There is no requirement for geographical moves for consideration for jobs at the same level. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. Pursuant to section 6.9 of ST/AI/2010/3/Rev. 1, interns, consultants, individual contractors, and gratis personnel may not apply for or be appointed to any vacancy in the Professional or higher categories within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals’ programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31st January 2025, are strongly encouraged to apply:Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam,China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea,Hungary,Grenada, Guinea-Bissau,Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.