Secretary to the Commission, P5

United Nations Economic Commission

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Position: Secretary to the Commission, P5

Job Time: Full-Time

Job Type: Contract

Place of Work: Addis Ababa

Posted date: 4 weeks ago

Application Deadline: Nov, 9/2020 (12 days left)

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Org. Setting and Reporting

The Economic Commission for Africa’s (ECA) mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.

The mission will be guided by ECA’s five new strategic directions which are:

Advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take the local solution to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.

This position is located in the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Chief of Staff/Officer designated by the Executive Secretary to this effect.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Secretary of the Commission will be responsible for the following duties:

• Prepare for and organizes the meetings of the legislative bodies/intergovernmental processes of the Commission and other official meetings convened by the Executive Secretary, including quarterly briefings to members States and annual retreat of ECA with permanent representatives.
  
• Lead the preparatory process of the Conference of Ministers as chair of the Conference of Ministers Task Force. Coordinate the preparation of agenda and programme of work of the sessions and coordinates the in-session deliberations; provide support to the bureau of the committee of experts and the Conference of Ministers.
  
• Responsible for day-to-day external relations of the Commission with the Member States, providing legal guidance and advice.
  
• Supervise overall legal aspects with the host country, including representation and legal aspects.
  
• Serve as a recognized expert and independently handle a wide range of multi-discipline, highly complex and often sensitive and/or conflicting legal matters involving issues relating to international, public, private, and administrative law, to include interpretation and application of instruments in that area of focus including of resolution of disputes and arbitration working with UN legal bodies.
  
• Provide the ECA secretariat with legal counsel, manage legal affairs, and in this connection liaise with UN headquarters. Perform extensive legal research and analysis and prepare legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports, and correspondence; make recommendations to senior officials of substantive Divisions and Sub-Regional offices with respect to actions to take.
• Provide authoritative legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions of considerable complexity, which may include those related to administration and management and other operational matters.
  

• Prepare legal submissions/motions as necessary in the course of investigations.
  
• Review, advise on and supervise the review, negotiation, and drafting of complex contracts (including procurement), agreements (such as host country agreements), institutional and operational modalities, or legal motions/submissions and other legal documents; develops new legal modalities to meet unique needs/circumstances.
  
• Advise the Commission on more complex cases before arbitral and other tribunal or administrative proceedings, including disciplinary cases and staff, appeals to UN Dispute Tribunals and Administrative Tribunals.
  
• Conduct and manage day-to-day internal and external relations of the Commission and where necessary liaise with the UN Office of Legal Affairs in New York and other UN bodies.
  
• Perform other duties as assigned. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: UN headquarters, OLA, Regional Commissions, Directors both within and outside the duty station, Embassies, counterparts, senior attorneys and officials in UN common system organizations, specialized agencies, governments, law firms, and other external entities.

Competencies

Professionalism: Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive legal research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or complex nature; proficiency in legal writing and expression and ability to prepare legal briefs, opinions, or legal submissions/motions, and a variety of legal instruments and related documents. Discretion and sound judgment in applying legal expertise to sensitive, complex legal issues. Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach an agreement. Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/cases. Knowledge of contemporary international relations and of UN system and UN Staff Rules and Regulations, organization and interrelationships. 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. 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.

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.

Leadership: Services 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 improvement; 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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in international law or related fields is required. A first-level or advanced degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in any field 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 law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required.
  
• Experience in the area of contemporary international relations and of UN system and UN Staff Rules and Regulations, organization and interrelationships is highly desirable.

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.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include assessment exercises which may be followed by competency-based interviews.

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How to apply

Follow the link to apply: Click Here

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