ECA’s mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.
The mission will be guided by ECA’s five new strategic directions which are:
Advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take local solution to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.
The Sub-regional Office for Eastern Africa (SRO-EA) is located in Kigali (Rwanda). It is headed by a Director who reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme). Its core objective is to contribute to achieving structural transformation for inclusive and sustainable development in the subregion, with a focus on deepening regional integration.
The core functions are: assisting member States through initiatives, advisory services and tailored capacity-building interventions in the context of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, including through technical studies and country profiles addressing structural transformation; contributing to strengthening the capacity of member States in the Eastern Africa subregion, the regional economic communities and intergovernmental bodies to develop and implement development frameworks, including on the blue economy.
This post is located in the sub-regional office for Eastern Africa (SRO-EA) of the Economic Commission for Africa in Kigali, Rwanda. SRO-EA covers 14 countries: Burundi, Comoros, D.R Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director of the Sub-regional Office for Eastern Africa, the incumbent will be responsible for programme and project management functions at the SRO throughout their entire life cycle, including conceptualization, formulation, planning, resourcing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and closure. Specifically, the Programme Management Officer:
•Mainstreams results based management (RBM) and quality management in the operations of SRO-EA;
•Develops and implements assigned programmes and projects;
•Monitors, evaluates and analyzes programmes and project development and implementation;
•Reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; and ensures follow-up actions;
•Carries out research on selected programmatic and operational aspects of the work of SRO- EA including collecting, analyzing and presenting statistical data and other relevant information gathered from diverse sources;
•Provides substantive support for policy coordination and evaluation functions, including review and analysis of emerging issues and trends, participation in evaluations or research activities and studies;
•Generates surveys initiatives; designs data collection tools; researches, compiles, reviews, analyses, summarizes and interprets responses and relevant information/data on a wide range of programmes/projects and related topics, highlighting noteworthy issues/trends for consideration by appropriate parties;
•Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft annual report, background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, and other relevant inputs to publications;
•Provides full range of programme/project planning, preparation, management and implementation assistance at all phases of the SRO-EA programme/project cycle;
•Tracks UN mandates, resolutions and other legislative and statutory decisions and recommendations from other relevant bodies that affect programme/project content, distills
relevant information for programmatic purposes and suggests options to incorporate in SRO- EA programmatic frameworks;
•Reviews, appraises and revises, as necessary, all submissions for substantive programmes/projects, ensuring compliance with mandates, guidelines and programme/project objectives and RBM principles;
•Supports resource mobilization efforts and works with funding agencies and development partners in arranging financing modalities; obtains requisite clearances; ensures establishment of proper monitoring systems through scheduled reporting, review meetings and missions;
•Supports activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.);
•Contributes to the formulation of SRO-EA business plans and to building-up of ECA partners profile and operationalizes the ECA programme/project management manual at SRO-EA;
•Drafts budget and forecasts based on submissions;
•Leads the preparation of monitoring checklists, identifying stages of programme/project development, funding source, and inputs by reviewing internal and external bodies, and follow-up actions required;
•Monitors budgetary commitments, including verification of charges and obligation documents for all relevant financial transactions;
•Prepares periodic budget revisions and ensures appropriate resource allocations;
•Arranges for formal closures of projects, final budget revisions, and transfer of equipment, clearance, publication and distribution of final reports;
•Supports the organization and servicing of meetings, workshops and events organised by SRO-EA;
•Participates in the substantive activities of SRO-EA; and
•Performs other administrative and technical duties as assigned.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to programme/project preparation, administration, implementation and evaluation, technical cooperation, programming and budgeting; ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems; ability to conduct data collection using various methods; conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases; ability to use information technology to programming, financial and administrative work; ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities; 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; and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; and shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
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; and uses time efficiently.
Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors 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; and takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, technical cooperation, administration or related area is required.
Experience in planning, organisation and execution of relevant programmes in the field of public-private partnerships is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat is required. Knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
• Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located.
• Appointment against this post is on a local basis, with no entitlement to travel or any other international benefits. As such, the same staff regulations and rules which apply to other locally-recruited staff will be applicable to this national officer post. Should there be a need for examination the candidate will be responsible for any travel expenses incurred.
• The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
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