Chief Of Section - Economic Affairs Opportunity at United Nations Economic Commission For Africa
Position Title: Chief Of Section - Economic Affairs Opportunity
Employer: United Nations Economic Commission For Africa
Employment: Full-Time | Contract
Place of Work: Addis Ababa - Ethiopia
Posted date: 4 hours ago
Deadline: January, 01/2026 (44 days left)
About the Company
The Economic Commission for Africa's (ECA) mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. This mission is guided by ECA's five 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; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure development, 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 position is in the Emerging and Frontier Technologies, Innovation and Digital Transformation Section of the Technology, Innovation, Connectivity and Infrastructure Development Division (TICID), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The position is focused on ensuring the planning and delivery of ECA’s activities to promote the use of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) and Science Technologies & Innovation (STI) for development. It is also focused on coordinating TICID’s activities to promote digital transformation, assist African countries in implementing the Global Digital Compact, promoting partnership in the utilization of ICT in Africa, and implementing the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa.
Responsibilities
Under the Direct Supervision of the Director of the Technology, Innovation, Connectivity and Infrastructure Division, the Chief of Section is responsible for the following: Economic or sectoral analysis
- Leads or participates in the formulation, organization and management of mandated programmes related to technology, innovation and digital transformation.
- Leads economic or related analysis and the formulation of possible Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Science, Technology and Innovation (ICT) or economic strategies, policies and actions for adoption by African countries and the international community.
- Leads or participates in the identification of new or emerging development in ICT and STI issues of potential concern to the international community, particularly those of a regional or global nature, and designs and develops programmes to address them.
- Supervises a team of staff economists and other staff with expertise in ICT and STI undertaking this work.
- Commissions economic or related studies and analyses on technology, innovation and digital transformation that cannot be undertaken internally.
- Conceives, plans and manages expert group meetings, seminars and similar consultations that contribute to the finalization of the work unit’s outputs.
- Finalizes reports on development, focusing on digital transformation and STI, for issuance by the ECA.
- Prepares speeches for senior staff and makes presentations on ICT and STI, or economic issues for specialist or non-specialist audiences. Intergovernmental support
- Provides direct substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations related to ICT and STI, assists member states in the implementation of global and regional strategies such as the Global Digital Compact, the African Union Strategy on Artificial Intelligence, and the Digital Strategy for Africa (2020-2030) and in the implementation of the Science Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa.
- Manages the work unit’s contribution to the preparation and management of meetings of intergovernmental bodies.
- Represents the organizational unit at international, regional and national meetings on development issues, focusing on ICT and STI. Technical cooperation
- Develops and maintains relations with senior officials of member governments and ensures a response to requests for advice and/or assistance on economic issues and policies.
- Negotiates with donor and recipient governments on technical assistance programmes and projects.
- Organizes and coordinates cooperation among Member States on ICT and STI or economic programmes or issues.
- Leads or participates in technical cooperation missions. Programme support
- Functions as the head of the Section. .
- Contributes to the formulation of the medium-term plan, the programme of work and the budget of the unit and participate in the formulation of the organization's overall programme of work and other similar endeavours.
- Attends to various administrative matters concerning the Section.
- Performs other related duties as required. Other
- Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.
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. Ability to develop economic policies and make recommendations on their implementation. 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.
- 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.
- Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
- 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.
Qualification
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in engineering, sciences, computer science, economics or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying 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.
- A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in research and analysis in economics or a related field, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development in connection with Information Communication Technology (ICT); or Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) or related area is required. Experience or knowledge in the application of emerging and frontier technologies and digital transformation in Africa, through policy development, advisory services or research is required.
- Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
How to apply
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