Result of Service

• Supports the preparation of in-depth qualitative and quantitative policy research and analyses of diverse aspects of regional integration, intraregional trade,socioeconomic development challenges faced by member States in the Southern Africa sub-region; identifies opportunities and prospects, and supports the formulation of sound policy proposals. • Supports the drafting of position, technical papers and project documents related to regional integration, intraregional trade, socioeconomic and governance dimensions of the work of SRIS and SRO-SA; • Draft concept notes, issues papers, prepare meeting documentation and contribute to the substantive organization and servicing of meetings under the responsibility of SRIS and SRO-SA; • Draft various documents, including meeting minutes and reports, outcome documents; speeches, talking points, reviewing and summarizing documents of importance to support the implementation of the activities of SRIS and SRO-SA; • Contribute to the monitoring, evaluation and reporting on the activities of the SRIS and SRO-SA; • Participate in missions pertaining to work of the SRIS and SRO-SA as may be required; and • Provide support to other related activities of SRIS and SRO-SA as may be required.

Work Location

Lusaka

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

PROJECT BACKGROUND: Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN’s five regional commissions, the Economic Commission for Africa’s (ECA) mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its Member States, foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa’s development. Made up of 54 Member States, and playing a dual role as a regional arm of the UN and as a key component of the African institutional landscape, ECA is well positioned to make unique contributions to address the continent’s development challenges. The strategic objective of ECA is framed around delivering ideas and actions for an empowered, inclusive and transformed Africa within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 of the African Union through its three core functions, namely; think-tank, convening and operational. ECA has five sub-regional offices located in North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, Eastern Africa and Southern Africa. These offices are operational arms of ECA at the country and sub-regional levels and are tasked to (a) Serve as instruments for ensuring harmony between sub-regional and regional programme orientations and those defined by the strategic directions of the Commission; (b) Provide advisory services to member States, RECs and sub-regional development operators, with back-stopping from the secretariat and other centres of excellence in the sub-regions; (c) Act as mechanisms to link ECA, member States, RECs, ECA-sponsored institutions and other centres of excellence in the sub-region and help project ECA’s policies and image, as well as sensitize governments on the work of the Commission; (d) Facilitate sub-regional economic cooperation, integration and development; (e) Promote gender issues; (f) Act as Centres for policy dialogue; (g) Serve as Centres for collection and dissemination of information; and (h) Provide coordination of UN System activities for integration. The Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA) serves the following countries: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 1. Duties and responsibilities of the Economic Affairs Junior Consultant This position is located in the Sub-Regional Initiatives Section of the ECA Sub Regional Office, for Southern Africa (SRO-SA) located in Lusaka, Zambia. The junior consulant reports to the Chief of SRIS and will be responsible for the following functions, among others. Socioeconomic or sector analysis: • Monitors socioeconomic developments in Southern Africa and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the subregion; • Designs and conducts studies on selected development issues and drafts resulting reports, including on regional integration, trade, macroeconomics, related public sector policies and strategies, private sector development, including Micro Small and Medium Entreprises (MSMEs) and develops appropriate policy recommendatations; • Interprets and applies results of econometric modelling to analysis of economic prospects and policies; • Formulates proposals for development strategies, policies and measures for presentation to member States, RECs, other intergovernmental bodies and other partners and collaborators; • Attends international, regional, and national meetings to hold discussions with representatives of member States, RECs, other partners and collaborators; • Supports the implementation of technical assistance projects and the organization of statutory meetings, expert group meetings, workshops, training and seminars, etc. on development issues of significance to the subregion; and • Prepares speeches, presentations and other inputs for delivery by senior staff. General: • Participates in SRO-SA undertakings at large and represents the views and interests of the Office. • Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative and programmatic tasks necessary for the final delivery of SRO-SA and SRIS tasks; and • Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities as may be required. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: • Staff within ECA divisions and sections; counterparts in other UN entities in the 11 member States of SRO-SA. • Officials in government, intergovernmental organizations, private sector, civil society, academia and research institutions.

Qualifications/special skills

Master’s Degree or equivalent in economics, public policy, international development or related fields is required. The assignment is for an initial period of six months, renewable depending on performance and availability of funds. The Economic Affairs Junior Consultant will be based in Lusaka, Zambia and may undertake official missions outside of Zambia. A minimum of five years experience in policy research and analysis, technical assistance in regional integration, trade, economic development, and related areas in the context of Southern Africa, either in the academia, international, private, public or civil society organizations is required. Previous working experience in Southern Africa and knowledge of the United Nations (UN) system is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the present assignment, fluency in English is required.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.