Director of Private Sector Development and Finance Division – Ethiopia Full Time

Org. Setting and Reporting

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. 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 newly constituted Private Sector Development & Finance Division (PSDFD) at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme) and the overall supervision of the Executive Secretary.

Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority, the Director of Private Section Development & Finance Division (PSDFD) will be responsible for the following duties:

• Formulate and implement the substantive work programme of the Division under his/her supervision. Oversee the management of activities undertaken by the Division, ensure that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinate work in the different areas both within the Division and the Commission, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate.
• Develop and implement programmes to support countries improve their business enabling environment and build competitive economies.
• Develop and support programs in the division to facilitate infrastructure investments in member states and across the region that respond to the objectives of agenda 2030 and 2063, with an emphasis on energy, infrastructure and services.
• Develop and design programs that help accelerate the region’s integration with global value chains and support the adoption of clean and renewable energy, logistics systems and other infrastructure.
• Develop and design appropriate regulatory framework for the development and deepening of capital markets across the region, including deepening bond markets, develop at the sovereign and corporate level, use of innovative finance technologies to accelerate financial inclusion.
• Drive the development of Africa’s general financial market, small and medium enterprise, and payment system, while promoting regional economic and financial integration to deepen trade.
• Lead, supervise and carry out the work programme of the Division under his/her responsibility. Co-ordinate the work carried out by different work units under the Division and by other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system; provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others.
• Co-ordinate and oversee the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the 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.
• Report to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.
• Ensure that the outputs produced by the Division maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensure that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
• Lead preparation of the work programme of the Division, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
• Undertake or oversee the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Division, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
• Recruit staff, taking due account of geographical balance.
• Manage, guide, develop and train staff under his/her supervision.
• Foster teamwork and communication among staff in the Branch/Service/Division and across organizational boundaries.
• Lead and supervise the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Manage the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars.
• Participate in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or hold programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
• Represent the Division at international, regional or national meetings.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, finance, business/public administration, social sciences or related areas is required. A Ph.D. in Economics or Finance or Development Economics is highly desirable. A first level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in the private sector or in energy, infrastructure or banking/ capital, markets or financial institutions/ financial regulatory bodies is required. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first-level university degree recognized by the United Nations.

Languages

Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Tagged as: UNECA