Position description
ECA’s mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 SDGs and Agenda 2063. The mission is 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 Private Sector Development and Finance Division (PSDFD) is headed by a Director and reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme).
The Division is responsible for supporting member States in their endeavor to achieve sustained economic growth and transformation through leveraging the role and resources of the private sector with an emphasis, improving the business environment, increasing private sector investment in agriculture, infrastructure, energy and services (technology), and promoting innovative financing models. It is divided into three sections: Agriculture and Business Enabling Environment; Energy, Infrastructure and Services; and Innovative Finance and Capital Markets.
This position is located in the Innovative Finance and Capital markets Section, Private sector Development and Finance Division, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Addis Ababa. The incumbent will work under the general guidance of the Chief of Innovative Finance & Capital Markets Section (IFCMS).
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the duties of an Economic Affairs Officer are likely to fall mainly into one of the three functional areas below.
Economic or sector analysis
- Develops socio-economic databases and qualitative information necessary for specified recurrent or ad hoc assignments.
- Interprets, applies and, as necessary, adapts economic and financial intelligence tools to determine market trends, patterns and relationships and to analyse the effects of innovative finance and capital markets.
- Drafts specified inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on selected global, regional, national or sector aspects of private sector development and financial deepening.
- Identifies and analyses policy proposals made elsewhere relating to assigned topics.
- Attends international, regional, and national meetings to collect information and to hold discussions with colleagues in other institutions.
- Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on development issues.
- Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.
Intergovernmental support
- Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies.
- Follows intergovernmental meetings and prepares summary reports.
- Prepares inputs to statements by members of the Bureau and Secretariat staff to such meetings.
- Assists in the organization of panels, round tables etc. on private sector development, innovative finance and capital markets development issues for intergovernmental processes.
Technical cooperation
- Assist the Innovative Finance and Capital Markets Section (IFCMS) team and other sections of the Private Sector Development and Finance Division (PSDFD) in mobilizing internal and partner resources (extra-budgetary resources, grants, and joint-funded activities) to finance non-recurrent activities of the sections of PSDFD and overall ECA engagement with private sector.
- Participates in missions on development issues, usually as a member of a team.
- Organizes training seminars for national experts.
- Prepares documentation for technical cooperation programmes and projects.
- Contributes to the preparation of material for the approval of regional, country or sector technical cooperation projects.
- Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects.
General
- 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.
- Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s services.
- Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development. Ability to conduct independent research on economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing sources for data collection. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. The ability 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 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 finance, economics or related field is required. A first-level university degree in the above specified fields in combination with two additional years of 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 five years of progressively responsible experience in economic and financial research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area is required. Previous exposure working with private sector and/or financial institutions, and developing financial instruments (e.g. bonds, equities, and guarantees), investment policies and regulatory processes is desirable. Knowledgeable in the structuring and execution of debt and equity investments is desirable. Experience in and good understanding of socio-economic and development issues and dynamics in Capital Market development, preferably in Developing Countries is desirable. Good understanding of projects management, including project design, planning, risk management strategy is desirable. Competence in the use of standard Financial Market software such as Bloomberg, S&P Global or FactSet is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
Languages
- Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Application instructions
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