Economic Commission for Africa
Sub-Regional Office, Southern Africa

Regional Integration and Macroeconomic Analysis Cluster

Objective

The work program of the Sub-Regional Office, Southern Africa (SRO-SA) focuses on activities aimed at harmonizing national policies and programs in various sectors in support of integration efforts in the Southern Africa sub-region within the overall framework of the African Union and the regional economic communities and in addressing issues within the context of achieving the MDGs and emerging global challenges. An aspect of the work of the office is clustered around Regional Integration and Macroeconomic Analysis (RIMA). The RIMA Cluster addresses the following issues: Regional Integration, Macroeconomic Analysis, Trade, Gender and Development, Social Development, Macroeconomic Policy and Institutional Convergence in the SADC Member States, Economic Policy Analysis and Monitoring of trends in economic and social conditions in Southern Africa, promotion of intra-regional trade and trade negotiation, finance and financing development policies.

Regional Integration and Macroeconomic Analysis Cluster

Duties and Responsibilities of Consultant

•  Undertake demand driven research on policy, institutional and developmental challenges related to a focus area or sector that can not be undertaken internally and that contribute to formulation of possible strategic frameworks, in developing macroeconomic policy and institutional convergence and in planning and implementing mandated programs;

•  Analyze trends, issues and challenges in regional integration and in the development of sectors through impact studies based on policy-oriented economic research and the application of econometric techniques and modeling of economic prospects and policies and strategies for addressing them;

•  Provide technical assistance to SADC Secretariat and Member States in developing strategic frameworks for policy, harmonization and the implementation of internationally agreed resolutions on anti-money laundering, population, migration, gender, HIV/AIDS and statistics;

•  Formulate proposals for development strategies, policies and programs as well as effective measures aimed at improving the financing of development in Southern Africa, macroeconomic analysis capacity;

•  Strengthen the negotiating skills and positions of SADC Member States within the World Trade organization and EPA through trade-related capacity-building and technical assistance programs;

•  Conduct studies and make recommendations on issues of significant impact on the areas of regional trade liberalization and payment arrangements;

•  Provide technical assistance for strengthening the capacity of SADC and Member States as provided for in the SADC-SRO-SA multi-year program and ad hoc requests that may not be undertaken internally;

•  Disseminate information to stakeholders on macroeconomics analysis, international trade negotiations, financing development issues and industry and sectoral policies in Southern Africa;

•  Identify measures to increase the competitiveness of Southern African economies and their participation in the global economy;

•  Assist in facilitating technical meetings, seminars and consultations that contribute to finalization of SRO-SA staff outputs;

•  Design templates for websites and databases for the management and dissemination of information and other materials;

•  Assist in designing and managing communication and outreach through the use of various medial channels and opportunities.

Qualifications

Education

Advanced University Degree preferably a Doctorate in economics, development economics or social sciences with an emphasis on macroeconomics, financing development, intra-Africa trade, international trade negotiations, gender and development, sectoral policies issues or closely related area.

Work Experience

Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience required in applying the principles of economic and social development, preferably in the context of Africa. Practical experience in at least one of the above mentioned areas (macroeconomic analysis, financing development, industrial development, international trade and sectoral policies, gender and development) that was gained through involvement in macroeconomic analysis, gender and development analysis, social development analysis, international trade negotiations, financial development policies and programs as well as implementation of programs, research, teaching or related work. Record of relevant publications would be an asset.

Competencies

Professionalism - In-depth understanding of economic theories, principles and application; demonstrated technical knowledge and proven research and analytical skills on issues related to regional integration, macroeconomic convergence, financial and monetary integration, financing development, sectoral policies as well as international development economics; ability to interpret and apply results of econometric techniques and modeling (including CGE) to analysis of economic prospects and policies in the context of Africa. Technological Awareness - Ability to use relevant computer technology . Teamwork - Good interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. Communication - Good interpersonal skills; excellent drafting ability and communication skills, ability to present complex concepts in a concise and accurate manner, ability to prepare written reports and papers that are clear, concise and meaningful. Planning and Organizing - Proven ability to prioritize, plan and organize own work and ability to integrate work into the work of the unit; ability to monitor and adjust plan and priorities as necessary and to work according to deadlines.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English or French is required and working knowledge of the other language is an advantage.

Other desirable/required Skills

Strong computer skills including the use of software relating to macroeconomics and international trade research, and econometric analysis is desirable. Proficiency with spreadsheet and database applications as well as facility with word processing, presentation programs and the Internet is desirable.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested persons who wish to be considered for the roster are requested to complete the Personal History Form (Form P-11) and send it before 31 May 2008 by e-mail to: ecarecruitment@uneca.org . Kindly note that only applications submitted on Form P-11 will be reviewed.

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8).

After the initial screening process, persons found to meet the eligibility requirements indicated in the TORs will be contacted for verification of their academic and professional credentials. On completion of the verification process, those retained for roster will be advised accordingly. They will subsequently be contacted to undertake consultancy assignments whenever the need arises. The duration of such assignments ranges from one to six months.