Director, NEPAD & Regional Integration Division, D-1 DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 27 Oct 2007 ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: Economic Commission for Africa DUTY STATION: Addis Ababa VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 07-ADM-ECA-413320-R-ADDIS ABABA (G)
Remuneration Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Responsibilities This post is located in the Economic Commission for Africa – Addis Ababa. Under the overall policy guidance of the Executive Secretary, the incumbent: Leads the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and Regional Integration Division (NRID); serves as principal policy adviser to the Executive Secretary and key ECA and UNHQ officials on the critical areas of regional economic cooperation and integration in Africa, with special focus on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), facilitation of intra-African trade, physical infrastructure and natural resources development; identifies key issues in regional economic cooperation and integration, leads research and analysis producing relevant policy reports, in close collaboration with African Union Commission (AUC) and Afrincan Development Bank (ADB); identifies best practices, disseminates knowledge and establishes fora and platforms for exchange of experiences and practices and consensus building at international and regional levels on key areas of regional economic cooperation and integration; facilitates coordination, cooperation and coherence among UN agencies working in Africa in support to the implementation of NEPAD at regional and sub-regional levels and promotes cooperation and coordination between UN agencies and African continental organizations and regional economic communities (RECs) for the effective implementation of NEPAD at regional and sub-regional levels; provides technical advice and assistance to Member States and regional organizations for capacity building on regional economic cooperation and integration; builds networks and fosters partnerships with member States, regional and sub-regional bodies including the AUC, ADB, RECs, IGOs, IFOs, UN-agencies, NGOs, civil society, and the private sector on matters pertaining to economic cooperation and integration; provides intellectual leadership for conceptualization, development, planning and implementation of the work of the Division and provides direction and management of its financial and human resources; plans and directs substantive inputs into servicing of intergovernmental and inter-agency fora; represents the Commission and advocates for ECA positions on programmes of economic cooperation and regional integration.
Competencies Professionalism: Demonstrated ability to provide intellectual leadership in economic and social development in key areas of regional integration, trade, infrastructure and natural resources development; proven ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues; ability to review and edit the work of others.
Communication: Excellent writing ability and oral communication skills; proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally; ability to prepare written reports that are clear, concise and meaningful as demonstrated by a strong publications record; ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to staff, senior officials and members of intergovernmental bodies and expert bodies and to defend difficult views and positions; ability to develop consensus among people with varying points of view.
Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills; proven ability to work in collaboration with other colleagues to achieve common goals; proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment, with sensitivity and respect for diversity; ability to lead and gain assistance and support of others in a team endeavour.
Planning and organizing: Proven ability to plan and organize work, requiring an in-depth understanding of its strategic direction and ability to integrate the work of the Division into the Commission’s work programme; ability to manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure.
Vision: Ability to identify key strategic issues and to clearly communicate links between the Organization’s strategy and the Divison’s goals.
Leadership: Proven track record of excellent management and technical leadership skills and ability to delegate appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling work environment; demonstrated ability to oversee change initiatives including complex human resources, budgetary, financial, or administrative management policy and programmatic issues to coordinate and monitor the work of others. Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives into substantive work; commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing.
Managing performance: Ability to lead and supervise staff. Ability to coach, mentor, and develop staff; capacity to motivate staff and encourage good performance; good track record of coordination and monitoring the work of others; capacity to build and gain trust of team members; recognized and highly respected by peers, clients, and staff. Ability to plan, implement projects, motivate staff, and maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment. Judgment and decision-making: Demonstrated sound judgment in resolving issues/problems; proven ability to identify key issues in a complex situation, use good judgment, and take tough decisions when necessary.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Master’s degreee or equivalent in economics, development economics with emphasis on macroeconomics or regional integration, operations research or other closely related sectoral discipline.
A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A PhD is desirable.
Work Experience At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in applying the principles of economic and social development preferably in the context of Africa is required. Practical experience in at least one of the above-mentioned areas gained through programme development and management in an international organization in the area of regional integration, transport, mining, energy, and water, including administration of technical and substantive programmes, policy advice, and research, preferably in the context of Africa. Experience in project or programme management is required.
Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in spoken and written English or French is required; working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.
Other Skills Comprehensive knowledge of UN policies, procedures and operations as the related to Social development is desirable. Strong computer skills, including use of software relating to macroeconomic research analysis, proficiency with spreadsheet and database applications as well as word processing, presentation programmes and Internet. Record of publications would be an asset.
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
How to apply
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2002/4 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark.
Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary.
1. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password.2. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications.3. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed.4. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reposts to the relevant HRO/PO via fax.E-mail: ,Fax: 1-1-52-1634