United Nations (UN) – Deputy Executive Secretary, Programme (D2)

Job Title Field: Deputy Executive Secretary, Programme (D2)

Job Description & Summary Field:

Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN’s five regional commissions, the mandate of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is to promote the economic and social development of its member States, foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa’s development. Made up of 54 member States, and playing a dual role as a regional arm of the UN and as a key component of the African institutional landscape, ECA is well positioned to make unique contributions to address the Continent’s development challenges. The strategic objective of ECA is framed around delivering ideas and actions for an empowered, inclusive and transformed Africa in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 of the African Union through its three core functions, namely, its function as a think tank, its convening function and its operational function.

This position is located in the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) at the ECA. The incumbent, also the Chief Economist of the Commission, works under the direct supervision of the Executive Secretary and in close collaboration with the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme Support).

As Deputy Executive Secretary of the Commission, the incumbent will assist the Executive Secretary in carrying out the mandate of ECA in assisting governments of the region in their regional and sub-regional economic development efforts, and promoting cooperation among them, in close collaboration with other agencies and organizations. Within the framework of the policies of the United Nations and subject to the general guidance of ECA Conference of Ministers and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the supervision of the Executive Secretary, the incumbent oversees and coordinates the implementation of the various work programmes and priorities of the Commission.

Under the general supervision of the Executive Secretary, the Deputy Executive Secretary is responsible for the following duties:

•Assists the Executive Secretary in the planning, coordination, direction and management of the programme of work of ECA to promote economic and technical cooperation for economic and social development of Member States development; Contributes to the formulation of the ECA’s overall strategies and policies by participating in various committees, preparing documents on policy issues, and acting, as required, in an advisory capacity to the Executive Secretary; contribute to the overall management of the ECA’s activities and operations.

•Provides leadership to the development of innovative and/or change management programmes.

•Oversees ECA’s operational activities, coordinate the divisions’ work and the work of the Sub Regional Offices (SRO) and the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) and promote inter-divisional activities of a cross-sectional nature in the Commission secretariat;

•Maintains liaison with member and observer member Governments of the Commission, UN organs and specialized agencies and other organizations through the Commission sessions, other intergovernmental conferences and meetings, missions and other forms of communications;

•Formulates and implement the substantive work programme of the Office/Division under his/her supervision, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.

•Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Office/Division, ensuring that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the Office/Division and ECA, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate.

•Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.

•Ensures follow-up of the implementation of resolutions and decisions of the Commission, the Economic and Social Council and other intergovernmental organizations;

•Acts as Chairperson of the various standing and adhoc inter-divisional committees established by the Executive Secretary;

•Maintains liaison with member and observer member Governments of the Commission, UN organs and specialized agencies and other organizations through the work of the sub-Regional Offices and IDEP, the Commission sessions, other intergovernmental conferences and meetings, missions and other forms of communications;

•Advises the Executive Secretary on matters concerning the operations of the organization and its work in the region, with emphasis on the technical and political implications or consequences of planned action or activities;

•Ensures that the outputs produced by the Office/Division maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the office/division under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.

•Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Office/Division, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance, interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates.

•Oversees the recruitment of staff for Office/Division taking due account geographical and gender balance and other institutional values.

•Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under hi/her supervision; foster teamwork and communication among staff in the office/division and across organizational boundaries.

•Chairs meetings, seminars, etc., on substantive-related issues; represents the Organization at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conference; provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.

•Performs other related duties as requested by the senior management of the Organization.

•Manages the Commission secretariat in the absence of the Executive Secretary.

The job requirements and additional information on this job opening can be found on the ECA website at

www.uneca.org/careers

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for these posts.

For any queries, please email [email protected]

Job Summary Field: his position is located in the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

Locations Field: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Location Description Field: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Salary Description Field: ECA offers a competitive compensation package. Learn more at uneca.org/compensation

Applications Field:  www.uneca.org/careers

Alternate Recruiter Name Field: Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) at The Economic Commission for Africa