Economic Commission for Africa
Sub-Regional Office, West Africa

Objective

The objective of the programme of work of the ECA Sub-Regional Office for West Africa (SRO-WA) is to strengthen the capacities of member states for regional integration and promoting the harmonization of national policies in various sectors in support of integration efforts towards the consolidation of Sub Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in the overall framework of the African Union (AU) and facilitating the attainment of the goals set by the New Partnership for Africa 's Development (NEPAD).

In this regard, SRO-WA provides capacity building and technical assistance services, through advisory services, workshops, seminar and field projects, to member states, Sub-Regional Economic Communities ( RECs), to West African Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) so as to enhance their capacity to formulate and implement national and sub-regional policies and programmes, particularly in the areas of trade, food security and environmental sustainability, private sector development and investment promotion, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and science and technology, infrastructure, transport, employment and poverty reduction, and post conflict reconstruction recovery and development (including the gender dimensions).

The work of the Office also covers the strengthening of partnerships at the sub-regional and country levels to support policy advocacy, policy making and implementation of multi-year programmes designed in collaboration with ECOWAS and to contribute to the implementation of the existing ones formulated within the framework of NEPAD. In this respect, many joint activities are undertaken with major partners at the sub-regional and country levels, including the United Nations Country Teams. In addition, many parliamentary documentations, recurrent publications, technical documents and policy papers are prepared and disseminated by the Office. An array of issues are addressed in these reports and concern among others: economic and social development, progress in achieving MDGs with special emphasis on gender equality, governance and public administration, governance of financial institutions, strategic framework to enhance private sector development and competitiveness, sub-regional integration, progress towards the establishment of the second monetary zone, public-private partnerships initiative.

The work programme of the SRO aims to strengthen the role of intergovernmental machinery at the sub-regional level through improved networking among key stakeholders involved in the sub-regional development agenda including member states, RECs, CSOs and other sub-regional entities. In compliance with this mission, the Office organizes numerous meetings, conferences and forum during which reports are disseminated. The Forum on employment in West Africa and the one on private sector development in West Africa, to be held in 2008, are among the important events.

Duties and Responsibilities of Consultant

•  Collect and analyze data and information related to the development and the implementation of national and sub-regional development policies and programmes, and the socio-economic and population research;

•  Participate in the preparation and organization of technical workshops on the following: the root causes and consequences of conflict and state fragility in West Africa, the development/implementation of Action Plan on Food Security in West Africa, mainstreaming regional integration instruments in national development strategies and policies in the use of tools and methodologies on data collection for implementing MDGs and gender equality commitments in West Africa, the Action Plan of the follow up of the Ouagadougou Conference on Climate Change in West Africa/ with emphasis on experience sharing in adaptation programmes, the gender dimension of ECOWAS and UEMOA's protocols and instruments, Poverty Reduction Strategies in West Africa in support of the Sub-Regional Poverty Reduction Strategy, the legal and regulatory framework on ICT and Science and Technology

•  Prepare studies and reports that will serve as base of discussion to expert group meetings on the status and prospects of customs union and implications for intra-regional trade in the ECOWAS zone, governance and public sector service delivery in the implementation of regional integration programmes and projects in West Africa, the status of financial sector reforms and its role in promoting private sector and multinational enterprises in West Africa, progress towards the establishment of a second monetary zone in West Africa - WAMZ/ECOWAS, the promotion of public-private partnership initiatives in West Africa.

Qualifications

Education

Advanced University Degree (MSc or Ph.D.) in economics, statistics, sociology, demography, infrastructure, public administration, and business administration

Work Experience

Working experience at the national, regional and international level in the following areas: economics, statistics, sociology, demography, infrastructure, governance, rural economics, environmental economics and governance. Work experience in West Africa highly desirable.

Competencies

Professionalism - Demonstrated professional competence in socio economic and policy analysis; Proven experience, technical knowledge and sound analytical skills on issues related to one of the following areas: intra-regional trade, regional integration, regional monetary integration, governance, public sector, finance, private sector, population, gender, rural economic, environmental economic, governance, project assessment and infrastructure; Ability to formulate strategies and technical approaches in these fields; Ability to develop consensus among people with varying points of view; Ability to delivery capacity building activities; Excellent drafting ability and communication skills; Ability to develop and use quantitative methods for policy analysis; Experience in the use of various tools and methodologies on data collection particularly in the areas of MDGs and Gender. 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 drafting ability and communication skills, both oral and written; ability to prepare written reports that are clear, concise and meaningful. Openness to sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning and Organizing: Proven ability to priotize, 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 oral English or French and knowledge of the other language is an advantage.

Other desirable/required Skills

Knowledge of the UNECA and the process and status of regional integration and socio-economic activities in the West African region.

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.