Chief of Section, Social Affairs, P-5

Position description

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 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 a 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 Gender, Poverty, and Social Policy Division. The Chief of the Social Policy Section reports to the Director of the Division who reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme).

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief of Section will be responsible for the following:

• Provides leadership on the analytical work of the section on issues related to social policy such as poverty, inequality, jobs, social protection, demographics, migration, and aging, among others;
• Provides policy guidance to the Director of the Division and senior management of ECA on conceptual strategy development and management of the implementation of overall strategies and intra and inter-divisional 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;
• Manages, supervises, and carries out the work programme of the Section under his/her responsibility. Co-ordinates the work carried out by the Section; provides programmatic and substantive reviews of drafts prepared by others;
• Ensures that the outputs produced by the Section maintain high-quality standards; and that reports are clear, objective, and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Unit/Section under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates;
• Provides substantive input in the preparation of position papers and reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Committee on Poverty, Social Policy and Gender; and the Conference of African Ministers of Economic and Development Planning, etc.;
• 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;
• Prepares inputs for the work programme of the Division, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery;
• 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 (ePAS), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates;
• Recruits staff for the Section taking due account of 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 issues or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions;
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provides insights through graphs, charts, tables, and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation, and reporting;
• Takes the lead in identifying funding opportunities and preparing research proposals to raise funds.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and domain expertise in one or more of the specific areas being supervised. Ability to produce analytically sound 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management;
• 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;
• EMPOWERING OTHERS: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; encourages others to set challenging goals; holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise; shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; involves others when making decisions that affect them;
• 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 economics, sociology, political science, development studies, business or public administration, finance, accounting, law, economics, social or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science programs is an advantage.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in administration, budget, finance, human resources management, or socio-economic development with a strong focus on gender and poverty-related issues is required;
• A strong research record and policymaking analysis experience and advising governments on economic and social policies are required;
• Experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable;
• Relevant experience in leading a professional team is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in either language is required; and knowledge of the other is desirable;
• Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Application instructions

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