Senior Economist at NEPAD

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Last Date: November 22, 2010

NEPAD PLANNING AND COORDINATING AGENCY

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Position Title: Senior Economist
Supervisor: Chief Executive Officer
Directorate: Bureau of the Chief Executive Officer
Duty Station: NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

POSITION SUMMARY AND JOB PURPOSE
In terms of the Memorandum of Understanding between The Office of the Presidency and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Planning and Coordinating Agency is seeking for a Senior Economist.
Under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, the Senior Economist will analyze emerging and crosscutting issues of macro-economic nature that are of strategic importance to Africa’s political and economic development objectives towards supporting the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency’s leadership in making informed policy decisions.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS
1. Support the NPCA in its policy formulation and implementation of strategies, programs/projects for the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other African institutions to promote regional and continental integration and NEPAD implementation.
2. Support the activities of the NPCA in its think tank role to enhance its economic policy and research capacity in close collaboration with NPCA Directorates.
3. Facilitate economic analysis, strategies, policies and actions that will drive NPCA delivery for policy alignment, programme development and implementation.
4. Consult and liaise with NEPAD strategic partners and African stakeholders to foster optimal interaction in developing and running of NPCA macroeconomic policy research.
5. Identify and develop areas of economic development cooperation for African states, RECs and institutions as a means of promoting the continent’s development priorities.
6. Provide inputs into the Agency’s knowledge management function, monitoring and evaluation (M & E) system from a regional macro-economic perspective.
7. Prepare work plans/budgets and progress reports on a quarterly and annual basis.
8. Lead and manage the team in charge of economic/policy analysis.
9. Perform any other related tasks as required.
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www.nepad.org
info@nepad.org
Tel: +27 (0) 11 256 3600
Fax: +27 (0) 11 206 3762
P.O. Box 1234
Halfway House 1685
Midrand, Johannesburg
South Africa


JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education, Training and Experience
i. The minimum qualification is a PhD in Economics with five (5) years of experience or a Master’s degree in Economics or related field with at least 10 years’ experience.
ii. The Senior Economist must have a proven track record of delivery and leading the implementation of large programmes and / or projects in the Economics Sector.
iii. S/he must possess substantial and proven experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes in general and African development in particular. Such experience is desirable in African development work at the regional, sub-regional and national level as well as experience with the African Union (AU), the NEPAD Propgramme, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and the United Nations institutions. In addition, the Senior Economist should be able to engage NEPAD bilateral and multilateral partners including the African Development Bank (AfDB), G8/20 Member and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
iv. S/he should have excellent working knowledge of computer applications (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access) and Data Analysis packages.

KEY COMPETENCIES REQUIRED
Knowledge
i. Strong macroeconomic background and ability to conduct independent research on global and regional economic, social and development issues, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources.
ii. In-depth knowledge of economic and social development in Africa as well as the mandates and work of the AU and its NEPAD programme.
iii. Strong drafting, research and analytical skills and proven ability to produce reports and concept papers on development issues demonstrated through a strong publication record.
iv. Demonstrated ability to initiate, develop and complete programme of work, assess its implications and formulate recommendations.

Skills
i. The Senior Economist must have strong negotiation skills to be able to meaningfully engage with partners and other stakeholders who may be in pursuit of different objectives.
ii. S/he must have excellent, communication, writing, facilitation and presentation skills in order to provide effective leadership to the sector within NEPAD, articulate and promote NEPAD and African sectoral positions, and compose and defend requests for support or particular actions.
3
www.nepad.org
info@nepad.org
Tel: +27 (0) 11 256 3600
Fax: +27 (0) 11 206 3762
P.O. Box 1234
Halfway House 1685
Midrand, Johannesburg
South Africa
iii. S/he must have excellent analytical and problem solving skills.

Attitude
i. To be successful, the Senior Economist will need to be personally and totally committed to the African development agenda.
ii. The Senior Economist has to believe in African solutions to African problems taking advantage of Africa’s resources and the resourcefulness of the African people.
iii. S/he must demonstrate high level of integrity and accountability.
iv. S/he should have flexible approaches to work couple with enthusiasm, commitment and energetic.

Attributes that will add to the successful execution of the job
i. The Senior Economist must demonstrate very good interpersonal skills and ability to organize and motivate others and to work in a multi-cultural environment.
ii. To succeed, the Senior Economist will need to have excellent strategic visioning, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluations and reporting skills.
iii. Good knowledge of regional and international policy frameworks and strategies on the African developmental agenda will be advantageous.
iv. In addition, the Senior Economist should have working knowledge of research, policy development and analysis, programme development and management, and project management.
v. S/he must have the ability to maintain confidentiality at all level at all times.
Languages
Excellent English and / or French (spoken and written) and fluency in any other AU language would be an added advantage.

Gender Mainstreaming
The NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency is an equal opportunity employer and qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
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www.nepad.org
info@nepad.org
Tel: +27 (0) 11 256 3600
Fax: +27 (0) 11 206 3762
P.O. Box 1234
Halfway House 1685
Midrand, Johannesburg
South Africa

Application details
Application should include:
 A motivation letter and comprehensive curriculum vitae not exceeding five pages.
 Three referees with good knowledge of the candidate’s work, furnishing full contact details, telephone, fax and e-mail addresses.
Applications should be forwarded electronically utilizing “Arial font 11.5: to hr@nepad.org and they should be marked for the attention of:

Mrs. F. Ceesay Jallow
NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency
C/o Development Bank of Southern Africa

The closing date for this position is Monday, 22 November 2010. Please note, should you not hear from us within six (6) weeks after the closing date, kindly consider your application to be unsuccessful.

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) is a vision and strategic framework for Africa’s renewal that is based on a shared understanding that it is imperative to eradicate poverty and position African countries on the road to sustained economic growth and development. NEPAD works closely with the African Union Commission (AUC), regional economic communities, national governments, research institutions and civil society organisations in its attempts to eradicate poverty in Africa whilst also voicing Africa´s concerns at the global level. For more information go to: www.nepad.org

Note: The position is supported under the Grant Agreement between the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF).