Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN’s five regional commissions, ECA’s mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its member States, foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa’s development.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief of Systems-Wide Coherence and Quality Assurance Section will be responsible for the following duties: The incumbent will provide overall leadership for the work of the Systems-Wide Coherence and Quality Assurance Section (SQAS) which is responsible for quality assurance of ECA’s knowledge products, outputs and activities, implementation of the UN regional reforms in ECA, and promoting the interface between the national, regional and international engagements of ECA including working with the African Union (UN), its agencies and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Programme Level:

Contribute to the design, development, introduction and implementation of policies, processes and procedures for improving quality of delivery of ECA’s regular programme of work as well as extra-budgetary project outputs, by reviewing existing quality assurance polices and guidelines, identifying compliance gaps and making recommendations through the Division’s Director, for the rectification by ECA management:

• • Develop Quality Assurance checklists for all major outputs of the Commission, to make future quality assessments more objective, by agreeing with programme managers on the key quality dimensions to focus on prior to programme and project implementation;
• • Undertake quality assurance of ECA’s knowledge products especially flagship publications and other outputs, activities and events
• • Facilitate work on the implementation of the UN regional reforms in ECA including working with the Regional Collaborative Platform (RCP) and other UN agencies like the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) and UNDESA
• • Facilitate strong working and results oriented relationship with key regional partners, in particular the African Union (AU) and its agencies including AUDA-NEPAD and the African Development Bank (AfDB)
• • Ensure coherence and effective coordination in ECA’s work at the national, regional and international levels.
• • Interface on the work of ECA with statutory and policy organ institutions and bodies of the United Nations
• • Undertakes and oversees the production of analytical work, research and policy papers and knowledge products related to the work of the section
• • Organize workshops, meetings and conferences relevant to the work of the section

At the Division Level:

Support the work of the programme planning, monitoring and evaluation sections in promoting result culture at ECA, by ensuring proper documentation of processes relating to programme and project planning, implementation and performance reporting. In consultation with the Director of the Division, develop and elaborate the annual work programme of the systems-wide coherence and Quality Assurance Section and contribute to the effective delivery of the work programme of the Division and also provide intellectual leadership to the Section.

• • Contribute to the articulation and development of the overall work programme of the Division;
• • Contribute to Division’s reports, programme performance reviews, etc.;
• • Undertake representational meetings;
• • Lead the institutionalization of quality assurance at ECA by providing technical advisory services;
• • Manage the delivery of the Section’s work programme as well as its financial resources;
• • May perform other duties as required.

Requirements

Competencies

• Professionalism: 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.
• 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 business administration, management, economics, international relations, political science, public administration, social sciences 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 planning and management, including log frame development and analysis is required. Relevant experience in an international organization or an African institution 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.

Assessment : Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.