Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The future incumbent will lead the Division on Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes and will report to the Secretary-General (SG) and Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) of UNCTAD. The mandate of the Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes (ALDC) is to promote development of national policies and international support measures to build productive capacities for economic development and poverty reduction in Africa, least developed countries and other groups of countries in special situations (landlocked developing countries, small island developing States and other structurally weak, vulnerable and small economies) and to progressively and beneficially integrate them into the global economy.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority and under the guidance of the Secretary-General (SG) and the Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) of UNCTAD, the Director will be responsible for the following:
- Directs and manages the work of the Division, with a focus on Africa, least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), and small island developing States (SIDS) working closely with other UNCTAD Divisions and UN entities as necessary.
- Develops and supervises the implementation of the work programme of the Division, including the monitoring of country-level work, technical assistance and capacity building, and develops stronger links with the United Nations system, partners, donors, and beneficiaries.
- Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Division, ensures adherence to timelines of programmed activities, and co-ordinates work in the areas of Africa, least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), and small island developing States (SIDS), both within the Division and UNCTAD, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate.
- Contributes to the formulation of UNCTAD's overall strategies and policies by participating in various committees, preparing documents on policy issues; contributes to the overall management of the Division's activities and operations.
- Ensures the development and mainstreaming of the RBM based results framework for the Division in line with the Organization-wide results framework, including monitoring and reporting aspects.
- Conducts policy clearance of documents prepared by the Division, makes policy recommendations, and ensures that all outputs produced by the Division under his/her supervision meet high quality standards and comply with the relevant mandates.
- Develops, in conjunction with the Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-General of UNCTAD, and in collaboration with other Directors, the Least Developed Countries Report and the Economic Development in Africa Report; and assumes overall responsibility for their preparation. Oversees the preparation of the Division's inputs to other major reports of UNCTAD.
- Plans and supervises the substantive servicing of intergovernmental deliberations at the Trade and Development Board, the quadrennial Conferences of UNCTAD, and the General Assembly on issues within the competence of the Division.
- Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget and programme performance or on programmatic and substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.
- Maintains contacts with delegations and liaises under the guidance of the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General with senior government officials to provide advice and coordination on policy issues related to the work of the Division.
- Chairs meetings, seminars, and other engagements on substantive-related issues; represents the Organization at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences; provides programmatic/substantive expertise, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
- Oversees the resource mobilization efforts of the Division in strengthening the networks of partners, including academia, development institutions, and civil society at large.
- Oversees the programmatic and administrative responsibilities necessary for the functioning of the Division, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (ePerformance), interviews and evaluates candidates for vacant positions.
- Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision; oversees the recruitment of staff for the Division taking due account of the organization’s policy with respect to geographical and gender balance and other institutional values; fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Division and across organizational boundaries.
- Performs other related duties as requested by the senior management of the Organization.
Competencies
- Professionalism: In-depth knowledge of the economic challenges and opportunities facing Africa, least developed, landlocked and small island developing States and the role of trade, investment, finance and technology in development. Expert knowledge and demonstrated ability in analyzing, interpreting, formulating and communicating complex policies and strategies. Ability to convey difficult issues and positions to high level officials; diplomacy and tact. Shows ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Shows ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Ability to adapt managerial approaches in a diverse and changing environment. Capacity to empower others and willingness to learn and genuinely value others' views. Demonstrated capacity to establish strategic partnerships at the regional, global and country level within and outside the organization, to deliver on the programme of work. 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.
- 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.
- Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization's strategy and the work unit's goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
- 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
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in economics or 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
- Over fifteen years of progressively responsible experience dealing with development-related work, particularly the development challenges facing African countries, SIDS, LLDCs, and least developed economies in other regions, is required. Experience directing research, policy analysis or policy development in structurally weak and poor economies is required. Experience managing complex programmes of work and large teams is required. Relevant work experience in trade and development and related policy issues at national and international level is desirable. Experience developing technical cooperation or capacity building programmes in least developed economies in Africa or other regions is desirable. Experience with negotiations at intergovernmental fora is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Spanish or Arabic or Chinese (Mandarin) or Russian is desirable.
Application instructions
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