Chief of section, Addis Ababa (P-5)

Closing Date: Sunday, 22 July 2012 UNDP Ethiopia Country Office UN ECA Campus Africa Hall Building

Job Title

Chief of Section, P5

Department/ Office

Economic Commission for Africa

Duty Station

ADDIS ABABA

Posting Period

23 May 2012-22 July 2012

Job Opening number

12-ECO-ECA-23946-R-ADDIS ABABA (R)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Under the direct supervision of the Director of Regional Integration, Infrastructure and Trade Division (RITD).

Responsibilities

The Chief of Trade and International Negotiations Section (TINS) will be responsible for the following:

Provides policy guidance to the Director of Division, on conceptual strategy development and management of the implementation of overall strategies and intra and inter-divisional/departmental policies and procedures.

Plans and oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Section; ensures that substantive work programmes and programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion, coordinating diverse projects in the Section, and, in liaison with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate.

Provides substantive input in the preparation of position papers and reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the 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.

Contributes to the reporting to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.

Support the Director in the preparation of the Division's contribution to ECA flagship reports including Assessing Regional Integration in Africa (ARIA), Economic Report on Africa (ERA) and African Economic Outlook (AEO), joint publications of the African Union Commission (AUC), African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Economic Commission for Africa.

Ensures that the outputs produced by the Section maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Section under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.

Prepares inputs for the work programme of the Director of Division, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.

Assist the African Union, member States and RECs in building consensus and articulating common positions and strategies on trade including in bilateral, regional and international negotiations.

Serve as the focal point for TINS in the Industry, Trade, and Market Access (ITMA) cluster under the UN-wide coordinated support to AU and its NEPAD programme; build new and deepen existing collaboration with a variety of bodies such as United Nations organizations, African Union Commission, NEPAD Secretariat, African Development Bank, RECs, WTO, other multilateral and bilateral development partners, foundations, the private sector, NGOs and civil society at large.

Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates.

Recruits staff for Section taking due account geographical and gender balance and other institutional values.

Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.

Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Section and across organizational boundaries.

Represents the Organization at inter-agency meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive-related issues.

Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or hold programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.

Competencies

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. 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.

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 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& 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.

Managerial Competencies

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

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international economics, economics or related field is required (preferably PhD).

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area. Good evidence of research and publications on international economics and/or trade, with focus on policy is required. Experience in working with RECs, developing countries on trade policy and mainstreaming trade, trade negotiations, trade-related technical assistance and cooperation would be an advantage.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English or French is required. Knowledge of the other is an advantage.

Assessment Method

Written assessment and 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. This vacancy is subject to availability of post. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.

United Nations Considerations

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). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

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.

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