ECA is the regional arm of the United Nations in Africa. Its mandate is to promote the economic and social development of Africa. ECA's dual role as a regional arm of the UN, and a part of the regional institutional landscape in Africa, positions it well to make unique contributions to member States' efforts to address their development challenges. Its strength derives from its role as the only UN agency mandated to operate at the regional and sub-regional levels to harness resources and bring them to bear on Africa's priorities.

As a foremost knowledge policy institution in Africa, ECA seeks to engage bright young Africans for skills and capacity development, training and mentorship through a fellowship programme within ECA’s work programme. This fellowship initiative is in line with the Commission’s effort to assist member States develop their capacities in economic and social policy research, development, implementation, analysis, governance, and monitoring and evaluation.

The ECA is hereby inviting applications from qualified young African Professionals in the following thematic areas:

• Macroeconomic policy, Economic Governance & Public Finance;
• Private Sector Development & Finance, including Innovative Finance & Capital Markets;
• Poverty, Inequality and social policy;
• Gender equality and women empowerment;
• Demographic Dynamics for Development;
• Innovation and Technology;
• Climate Change &Management of Natural Resources, including Green Economy;
• Industrialization and Economic Diversification Policies;
• Development Planning and Statistics;
• Regional Integration; Infrastructure and Trade;
• Labor Economics and Employment
• Communication and strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation;

Responsibilities:

Within delegated authority, the Fellows will be responsible for the following duties: The Fellow(s) will agree to a work programme in the area of economic and social development defined mutually with the receiving/mentoring Division, Sub-Regional Office or Centre. The fellow(s) will contribute to the work of the Division, Sub-Regional Office or Centre by carrying out research, analytical studies, drafting reports and supporting other activities, as directed.

Assignments within the areas of focus may include, but are not limited to, collecting, evaluating, interpreting, and analysing economic, social and political development issues in the focus areas. The fellow(s) will also contribute to technical and policy reports, briefing notes, and support in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, workshops, and seminars; and fulfil various other administrative tasks for the effective delivery of the activities. The fellow(s) will be required to prepare a research paper and make presentation on it in the course of their fellowship.

Competencies:

Professionalism: In-depth knowledge and understanding of socio-economic and political development issues; conceptual and strategic ability to analyse and evaluate critical matters pertaining to socio-economic and political issues in Africa including ability to translate development-related data/information into policy relevant analyses; ability to undertake research with limited supervision; 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Ability to present high-level papers to peers and stakeholders, both at the institutional, regional and international level, both orally and in writing, in a clear, concise style.

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.

Team work: 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; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds and respect for diversity.

Qualifications:

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or doctorate or their equivalents) in international affairs, development, diplomacy, economics, political and social sciences, development, peace and human security, public administration, law, minerals and natural resources, engineering, and related field is required.

Experience: Academic research or academic work related to the focus thematic areas is required.. Experience in research/analytical work in socio-economic and political development, natural resource management/law, regional integration, infrastructure development, governance, peace and related areas in the context of Africa, either in the academia, private, public or civil society organizations, is an advantage.

Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the fellowship advertised, fluency in either language is required and working knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Conditions of Fellowship

1. The UN regulations on temporary positions and the following conditions will apply:
2. The candidate applying for this fellowship programme must be 35 years of age or below, at the time of the application;
3. The candidate must be a national of a member State of the Economic Commission for Africa;
4. The candidate must have graduated before 1 March 2019 from either a master’s degree or doctorate degree programme, or equivalent;
5. The candidate should have interest in one or more of the identified thematic areas;
6. The selected candidate will work on a predefined project, designed to contribute to specific aspects of the work programme of the mentoring Division, Sub-Regional Office or ECA Centres, and contribute to other activities;
7. The selected candidate should participate in national, regional or international meetings as assigned for exposure;
8. The selected candidate should submit and present at a seminar a peer reviewed research paper at the end of the assignment; and  The selected candidate will be part of an alumni association of ECA Fellows and member of practicing international development “community of practice”.

Logistics

1. The selected Fellows must be available to travel to the assigned duty station as may be decided by ECA after the selection process;
2. The selected Fellows will receive a return air ticket between his/her country of residence and the assigned duty station;
3. The selected Fellows will receive a one-off settling-in grant of USD 3,000 and a monthly stipend of USD 3,000 each for the duration of the fellowship. Note that the final month stipend will only be paid upon submission of:

•  A peer-reviewed fellowship research paper,
• A comprehensive fellowship report, an approved final performance evaluation of the fellow,
• A completed fellowship programme evaluation form and
• An exit boarding pass or immigration stamp showing that the fellow has departed the duty station and returned back to his/her home country, where both are not the same, at the end of the fellowship programme.

1. The fellowship program is for six months but may be extended for a maximum of another six months.

Special Notice

This call is open only to nationals of the Economic Commission for Africa member States. Candidates must submit their PHPs and the following documents as PDF attachments:

• UN Personal History Profile (PHP). This can be created at http://inspira.un.org o Follow the directions at: https://unmogip.unmissions.org/file/2447/download?token=bWKLlSJ6 to create your PHP; save the draft as a PDF, and include the PDF as an attachment with your email
• A research proposal of not less than 1,000 words (in candidate’s preferred thematic area listed above)
• Copy of academic certificates
• Copy of applicant’s national passport (information page only), and;
• Three letters of reference/recommendation The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its recruitment. Qualified female candidates and young scholars are particularly encouraged to apply. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

Application deadline: Wednesday, 14 April 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Addis Ababa time

For more information:

Visit the Official Website of the United Nations ECA Fellowship 2020