Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Director of the Sub Regional Office formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the SRO-NA and: • Oversees the management of activities undertaken by SRO-NA, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the SRO and Headquarters, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate. • Provides intellectual, technical and managerial vision and leadership for the SRO-NA. • Serves as principal technical and substantive adviser to the Executive Secretary on all matters pertaining to the objective of the SRO, regional integration, the AfCFTA and cooperation in the Northern Africa subregion. • In the context of the sub-region, assess economic and social development needs, formulates relevant policy options, organizes research, designs and executes programme initiatives, and monitors results in close collaboration with ECA Divisions and other SROs. • Formulates, leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of SRO-NA under their responsibility. Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units under SRO-NA and by other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system; provides programmatic/ substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others. • Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts (ICSOE) and the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, 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 that the outputs produced by SRO-NA maintain high-quality standards, that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. • Ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under their supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. • Leads knowledge generation and dissemination across the sub-region. • Leads policy advocacy and outreach across the sub-region. • Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/ administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of SRO-NA, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/ programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (e-PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting. • Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical balance. • Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under their supervision. • Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the SRO and across organizational boundaries. • Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. • Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars. • Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/ substantive expertise on an issue, or holds programmatic/ substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions identifying new partnerships for the Division to leverage outputs and implement activities. • Represents the SRO and/ or the Commission at international, regional or national meetings. • Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Expert knowledge of regional integration and social and economic structural transformation in the context of Africa in general and of specific areas being supervised. Proven ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to manage the work of a team requiring an in-depth understanding of its strategic direction and is able to integrate the work of the SRO into the work programme of ECA. Ability to provide expert advice on substantive issues and to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to staff, senior officials and members of the intergovernmental bodies. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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. • 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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in economics, social sciences, development management or a related area is required; consideration may be given to degrees in business or public administration, finance, accounting and law. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A PhD in economics is an advantage

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in economic research, management and analysis of socio-economic development issues is required. Experience in leading a team of specialists in an interdisciplinary effort is required. Management experience in development programmes in an international organization is desirable. Experience in facilitating and conducting intergovernmental processes is desirable. Regional experience in integration and social and economic structural transformation in the context of developing countries is desirable. Prior experience working in the United Nations Common System or a similar, large multilateral institution or international NGO is desirable. Experience in developing, implementing and coordinating change management strategies and managing a multidisciplinary portfolio in a sensitive and highly demanding environment is desirable. Experience in strategic planning and management at the regional or sub-regional level in an international development context is desirable. Experience promoting policy coherence and integrated delivery is desirable. Experience in human resources management, administration, logistics, financial management, budget or a related field is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in French is required; and knowledge of English is desirable. Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.