United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) 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. In its efforts to reposition itself as a Think Tank of choice in Africa, ECA seeks to engage bright young Africans for skills development 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.
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 development,
- 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.
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Qualified women and young scholars are particularly encouraged to apply. The programme aims to provide practical, on-the-job experience to the young professionals as they prepare either for a career in research and international development and the public sector. It will also provide the candidate with the opportunity to familiarize with the Commission’s broad programmes and services to member States and sub-regional bodies in addressing economic and social dimensions of Africa’s development priorities.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Within delegated authority, the fellow 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 analyzing 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.
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.
Work 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, governance, 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. The fellow(s) shall be fluent in oral and written English or French. Working knowledge of the other is also desirable.
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CONDITIONS OF THE FELLOWSHIP
The UN regulations on temporary positions and the following conditions will apply:
- Candidate must be a national of a United Nations Economic Commission for Africa member State;
- The candidate must have graduated before 1 March 2019 from either a Masters Degree or doctorate degree or equivalent;
- Should have interest in one or more of the identified thematic areas;
- Selected candidates 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;
- Participate in national, regional or international meetings as assigned for exposure;
- Submit a peer reviewed research paper at the end of the assignment;
- and will be part of an alumni association of ECA Fellows and member of practicing international development “community of practice”.
- Candidates applying for the position must be 35 years of age or below, at the time of the application.
LOGISTICS
- Fellows must be available to travel to the assigned station by 1 March 2019;
- Will receive a return air ticket between his/her country of residence and the assigned duty station;
- A one-off settling-in grant of USD 3,000 and a monthly stipend of USD 3,000 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.
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HOW TO APPLY
Candidates must submit their applications together with the following documents:
- Cover letter
- UN Personal History Profile (PHP). This can be created at http://inspira.un.org
- A research proposal of not less than 1,000 words (in candidates’ preferred thematic area listed under General Information)
- Copy of academic certificates
- Copy of applicant’s national passport (information page only), and;
- Three letters of reference/recommendation
Applications with all the supporting documents should be emailed to the address indicated below, bearing the appropriate subject line.
Email Address: RecruitmentPPost@un.org
Subject Line: ECA Fellowship for Young African Professionals, Ref. No. HRS29-05-05-03
Deadline: 9th January, 2019 (Midnight Addis Ababa time – GMT+3Hrs)
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