Economic Commission for Africa
Trade, Finance & Economic Development Division

Objective

The Trade, Finance & Economic Development Division (TFED) work programme focuses on issues related to: macroeconomic policy analysis, including monitoring of macroeconomic trends and macro-micro linkages; international trade and international trade negotiations; finance and financing development policies, debt, aid, investment, and industrial and sectoral policies. The Division consists of four sections and a center, i.e. the Trade and International Negotiations Section (TINS), the Financing Development Section (FDS), the Macroeconomic Analysis Section (MAS) and the Industry and Sectoral Policies Section (ISPS) and the African Trade Policy Center (ATPC).

Duties and Responsibilities of Consultant

•  Conduct research on economic development issues and prepare analytical reports on macroeconomic analysis, international trade analysis and negotiations, financing development, industrial and sectoral policies development as well as international development economics;

•  Undertake in-depth studies on critical economic development issues of concern to African countries as they relate to the challenges and prospects of macroeconomic analysis, financing development in Africa, international trade negotiations, the challenges of competing in a global production system through enhancement of industrial competitiveness and sectoral policies development;

•  Analyze trends, issues and challenges in international economics and development economics through policy-oriented economic research and the application of econometric techniques and modeling to analysis of economic prospects and policies;

•  Formulate proposals for development strategies, policies and programs as well as effective measures aimed at improving the financing of development in Africa, macroeconomic analysis capacity, international trade negotiations capacity as well and the competitiveness of the African industrial sector and other sectors;

•  Advocate for ECA financing development, industrial, trade and other sectoral policies and programs to a range of stakeholders;

•  Collect, collate and analyze economic research data; undertake rigorous macroeconomic studies on African development through the application of quantitative and qualitative methods; analyze trends in trade and regional economic integration performance in African countries;

•  Provide technical assistance for strengthening the capacity of the various regional economic communities at the sub-regional level in the EPA negotiations;

•  Conduct studies and make recommendations on issues of significant impact on the areas of international trade negotiations, financing development, macroeconomic analysis and industrial and regional cooperation and integration, including intra-African trade, regional trade liberalization and payment arrangements;

•  Disseminate information on macroeconomic analysis, international trade negotiations, financing development issues and industry and sectoral policies in Africa;

•  Strengthen the negotiating skills and positions of African countries within the World Trade Organization through trade-related capacity-building and technical assistance programmes;

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

•  Conduct policy-oriented research on economic development issues of interest to African countries and disseminate the results to policymakers in the region;

Qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree, preferably a Doctorate, in economics or development economics with an emphasis on macroeconomics, financing development, international trade negotiations, industrial development and sectoral policies issues or closely related areas.

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) that was gained through involvement in macroeconomic analysis, international trade negotiations, financing development policies and programs, industrial development strategies and policies as well as implementation of programs, research, teaching or related work. Record of relevant publications would be an asset.

Competencies

Professionalism - Expertise and understanding of governance and public administration theories, principles and their applications to specific country conditions, particularly on civil service reform, decentralization, and management innovation, post-conflict/fragile states, institutional capacity development, civil society and private sector development ; ability to produce quality reports and publications in selected areas of governance and public administration; ability to convert analytical products into operational tools; ability to interact with government counterparts and private organizations; Teamwork - Good interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. Communication - Effective written, oral and presentation skills, particularly ability to present information in a concise and accurate manner; ability to defend difficult issues and positions to senior officials; ability to interact with high-level government officials. 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 spoken English or French is required. Knowledge of another official UN language 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.