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 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 solutions 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.
Summary
This post is located at the Economic Commission for Africa headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The incumbent works in the Office of the Executive Secretary with a direct reporting line to the Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme Support (DES/PS). He or she supports and advises the DES/PS on matters related to technical cooperation, partnership building, and resource mobilisation.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme Support, and within the delegated authority, the Senior Programme Management Officer is responsible for the following duties:
- Closely supports the Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme Support in executing ECA ‘s technical cooperation, partnerships and resource mobilization plans and strategies for the effective delivery of the Commission’s mandate, in close collaboration with internal and external key stakeholders, relevant divisions and sections.
- Takes the lead to develop, implement and evaluate assigned programmes/projects, etc.; directs subordinates in programme/project development, implementation, monitoring and assessment; directs review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions.
- Ensures implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels.
- Directs research and programme evaluation on issues related to technical cooperation, partnership building and resource mobilisation, and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
- Coordinates policy development; reviews the assessments of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or research activities and studies on issues related to technical cooperation, partnership building and resource mobilisation.
- Undertakes survey initiatives; guides design of data collection instruments; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions on issues related to technical cooperation, partnership building and resource mobilisation.
- Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, with a focus on issues related to technical cooperation, partnership building and resource mobilisation.
- Directs substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
- Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars, etc., makes presentations on assigned topics/activities, with a focus on issues related to technical cooperation, partnership building and resource mobilisation.
- Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, with a focus on issues related to technical cooperation, partnership building and resource mobilisation.
- Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and ensures preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
- Serves as an effective spokesperson and establishes collaboration and partnerships with key officials at all levels inside and outside the organization on issues related to technical cooperation, partnership building and resource mobilisation.
- Ensures effective utilization, supervision and development of staff; Guides, evaluates and mentors staff.
- Directs survey initiatives; guides design of data collection instruments; reviews, analyses and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions with the view to ensuring efficient and effective management of ECA’s Trust Fund and other extra-budgetary resources.
- Manages partnerships outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops on technical cooperation, project management and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
- Plans and oversees the management of the Trust Fund and other extra-budgetary resources, ensure that periodic analyses of the status of these resources and monitors the implementation of programmes/projects to ensure that the set objectives and expected accomplishments are achieved, within the approved results-based management (RBM) logical framework.
- Reviews and recommend for approval project documents and revisions to ensure that they are consistent with the objectives, expected results and strategies as articulated around the sub-programmes contained in ECA Business Plan and approved biennial programme of work and priorities.
- Oversees the review and finalization of ECA’s Trust Fund and other extra-budgetary resources performance reports, monitor variances between approved allotments and actual expenditures with the view to providing accurate information for Donors approval of short and long range funding levels.
- Coordinates the preparation, organization and servicing of ECA’s donors meetings and that of the Partners Forum in particular.;
- Provides advice to the Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme Support in strengthening the role of the Section in the work of ECA’s Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Matters, especially as its related to Extra-Budgetary resources, Trust and Earmarked Funds.
- Ensures that the outputs produced by the Section maintain high-quality standards.
- May perform other duties as required.
Requirements
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: In-depth knowledge of results-based budgeting, fund and financial management and control. Expert knowledge in resource mobilization and technical cooperation. Expert knowledge in project management including project design, monitoring and evaluation. Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. 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. 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.
PLANNING AND 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.
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.
JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
Education : An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in in business administration, management, economics or related fields is required. A first-level or advanced degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in any fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree in the specified fields of studies.
Work Experience
- A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required.
- Experience gained through substantive involvement in the work of an international organization or African institution is desirable.
- Experience in fostering technical cooperation, building partnerships, mobilizing and managing extra-budgetary resources in an organisational setting is desirable.
- Experience with United Nations financial rules and regulations and UN rules governing programming, budgeting, and monitoring and evaluation, or those of a similar large international organization, is desirable.
Languages : English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in either language is required; and knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
