Social Affairs Officer

Job Description

Type of Job


Job Family
Social Affairs

Job Opening Number
22-Social Affairs-ECA-190588-R-Addis Ababa (G)

Staffing Exercise
N/A

Description
Org. Setting and Reporting

ECA’s mission, objective and strategic directions:

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 will be guided by ECA’s five new 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 solution 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.

The Gender, Poverty and Social Policy Division (GPSPD) is headed by a Director and reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme). The Division is responsible for contributing towards achieving inclusive and equitable sustainable human and social development in Africa and promoting and supporting member States in their work to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment. It is divided into three main sections: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment; Social Policy; and Urbanization and Development.

This position is located in the Urbanization and Development Section (UDS) of the Gender, Poverty and Social Development Policy Division (GPSPD) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Social Affairs Officer reports to the Chief of UDS.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and under the overall direction of the Director of GPSPD and the direct supervision of the Chief of UDS, the Social Affairs Officer will carry out the following responsibilities:

Social Analysis

• Proposes, designs and carries out substantive research projects analyzing key trends and changes in urban development and associated socio-economic priorities (e.g., poverty, employment, youth, inequality, gender issues, etc.) at global, regional and national levels; assesses implications and develops proposals with respect to urban development policies and interventions.
• Develops new lines of theoretical analysis and research methodologies for the diagnosis of major transformations in urbanization and the planning and management of cities.
• Liaises and partners with other experts in the field (e.g. governments, research institutes, academia, other international organizations, etc.) to discuss issues related to urban development, exchanges views on latest findings, policy guidelines, new models of development, etc.; helps ensure that lessons learned are disseminated and incorporated into development programmes and other initiatives, including gender-related activities.
• Plans, organizes and provides substantial servicing of ad hoc expert group meetings, conferences, seminars, workshops, etc. to include identification and selection of participants, development of background documentation, preparation of reports, documents, policy recommendations and analytical briefs based on the outcome of such meetings.
• Prepares a variety of studies, reports, background papers, parliamentary documentation, etc. on a wide range of urban development and related issues.
  
  Intergovernmental Support
• Provides substantive support on urban development and related socio-economic issues to intergovernmental bodies (such as the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the Commission for Social Development).
• Represents organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings.
• Organizes panels, round tables, etc. on social development issues for intergovernmental processes.
  
  Technical Cooperation
• Provides technical assistance to governments and other bodies in the formulation and implementation of policies and programs related to urban development.
• Designs, monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects.
• Undertakes missions to member states, either alone or as a participant in a diverse team, as part of the Organization’s technical cooperation activities and/or in support of the work programme.
• Prepares global, regional, national or sectoral analyses that provide a basis for advising national governments on urban development issues.
• Conducts training seminars and workshops for government officials and others.
• Formulates technical modalities for the evaluation of individual technical cooperation projects.
  
  General
• May participate in planning and preparation of unit budget and work program and in the administration of the day-to-day operations of the unit, including personnel responsibilities of the unit.
• Provides leadership and work direction to assigned work team, and/or mentors and supervises the work of new/junior officers.
• Prepares statements on social and economic issues for the Secretary-General and Under Secretary-General, as required.
• Performs other duties as required.
  
  Competencies
  
  Professionalism: Knowledge of urban development and related fields. Ability to apply principles and concepts of socio-economic development in relation to government, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations. Ability to apply techniques of analyzing urbanization development trends, conditions, and policy options as well as related socio-economic dynamics. Ability to conduct policy-relevant conceptual and strategic analyses. Ability to analyze and articulate the social and economic dimensions of complex policy challenges. Problem-solving skills. Ability to use sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems. Strong knowledge of the African region, including the political, economic, and social dimensions. Ability to relate socio-economic issues, trends, and perspectives, including gender issues, to urban development initiatives/programmes in affected countries/regions. Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach an agreement. Ability to work under pressure. Very good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies, and guidelines pertaining to urban development. Sound knowledge of the institutions of the UN system. Excellent research skills and demonstrated ability to complete in-depth studies and formulate conclusions/recommendations. Shows pride in work and 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
  
  Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with a final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
  
  Planning and 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.
  
  Education
  
  Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in urban planning, economics, sociology, other social science, or related field is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  
  Work Experience
  
  A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in socio economic development, policy analysis, sociological research or related area is required.
  
  Experience in urban development policy analysis and research, and technical assistance projects is required.
  
  Experience in statistical and quantitative data analysis is desirable.
  
  Languages
  
  English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in either language is required; Knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
  
  Assessment
  
  Evaluation of qualified applicants 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 in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
  
  For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 July 2022, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua, and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.
  
  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 backgrounds, 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.

Closing date: 25 November 2022

About the Organization

Established in 1958, ECA is one of five regional commissions under the administrative direction of United Nations (UN) headquarters. As the regional arm of the UN in Africa, it is mandated to support the economic and social development of its 53 member States, foster regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa's development. It reports to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The Commission is organized around six substantive programme divisions: Development Policy and Management; Economic and Social Policy; Gender and Development; Information for Development; Sustainable Development; and Trade and Regional Integration. Five subregional offices contribute a subregional perspective to the work programme and support outreach. Drawing on this structure, ECA deploys several modalities and services to support its member States: policy analysis and advocacy; enhancing partnerships; technical assistance; communication and knowledge sharing; and supporting subregional activities. Enhancing Partnerships Technical Assistance Communication and Knowledge Sharing Supporting Sub-regional Activities Regional Economic Communities (RECs)