SRO/EA – Individual Contractor (IC) to IC Support for the 26th ICSOE at UNECA – United Nations Economic Commission for Africa: (Deadline 4 July 2022)

Result of ServiceThe ICSOE is expected to attract participation from Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning, Ministries of Tourism, RECs and IGOs, ThinkTanks, Women and Youth CSOs as well as academia from Eastern Africa and beyond. It is therefore expected that the ICSOE will provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss how to better strengthen resilience for strong recovery and attracting investments to foster economic diversification and long-term in Eastern Africa.

Work LocationRwanda

Expected durationSuccessful Individual Contractor (IC) will be recruited for a period of four (4) months from the date of Contract of Service; after submission of a monthly activity report and deliverables agreed on the Contractor work plan.

Duties and ResponsibilitiesBACKGROUND
The Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa (SRO-EA) is planning to hold the Twenty-Sixth Session of the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts (ICSOE) from 19-22 September 2022 in Mahe, Seychelles. The ICSOE is the statutory organ of the ECA Office for Eastern Africa. It includes representatives of the fourteen member States served by the office as well as Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) of the sub-region, development partners, research centres and other stakeholders. It meets annually to define and monitor the implementation of the work-programme of the ECA Office in Eastern Africa and to discuss key issues and challenges pertaining to the economic and social development of the sub-region with the view to making appropriate recommendations to address them.

The lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in negative impacts on most economies globally. Eastern Africa is no exception, and the region has continued to endure high food prices, partly attributable to climate-related crises. The Ukraine crisis further compounds the situation, exacerbating economic and social vulnerabilities at a time Eastern Africa has been anticipating recovery from the socio-economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Food prices have reached to 14-year highs, oil prices have surged to highest since 2008 and fertilizer prices have also soared by 68% since the start of the Ukrainian crisis. This is because Ukraine and Russia are the major global suppliers of agricultural commodities. The crisis also increases the risk of depreciating exchange rates in several Eastern African nations since borrowing costs are rising as countries are putting measures to subsidize key economic sectors affected by inflation. The Ukraine crisis has triggered the soaring of global energy and food prices resulting in food insecurity in Eastern Africa. Due to the Ukrainian crisis, Africa’s real GDP growth is expected to contract while the rate of inflation is also expected to rise, further exacerbating food insecurity and poverty in Africa.

With the Covid-19 crisis culminating in GDP contraction to 1.3% in Eastern Africa in 2020, recovery efforts resulted in the increase to 4.0% in 2021 and projections for 2022 placed it at 4.8%. Nevertheless, rising inflation due to the Ukrainian crisis appear to be reversing the gains of recovery from the ravages of the pandemic. It also suffices to indicate that the Ukrainian crisis has threatened efforts of recovery from the economic disruptions caused by the pandemic. Just like the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukrainian crisis is detrimental to trade in Eastern Africa. While the Covid-19 pandemic affected foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Eastern Africa, the effects of the Ukrainian crisis are disingenuous to recovery and could further plummet FDI inflows.

Several countries have adopted fiscal packages in response to the crises, but the scale of the stimulus packages is insufficient to replace the jobs lost in the region. To help Eastern African governments improve long term growth and job creation prospects in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, the Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (SRO-EA), through its Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts (ICSOE) will focus on building resilience and attracting investments. Each year, SRO-EA convenes the ICSOE, a statutory meeting discussing emerging issues as well as opportunities and challenges to fast-track the development process of the sub-region. The ICSOE is a platform for agenda setting, discussion of issues of regional economic interest as well as experience-sharing. The 26th edition of the ICSOE will reflect on the theme: “Pursuit of Economic Resilience, Recovery, Stabilization and Growth Amid Global Instability and Shocks: which way for Eastern Africa?”
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the ICSOE Coordinator and in consultation with involved staff members, the incumbents will:
• Assist in the preparation of the ICSOE documents;
• Assist in the preparation and maintenance of participants’ databases;
• Assist to follow-up confirmation of participants to the ICSOE;
• Assist in the preparation of the evaluation of the meeting;
• Assist in preparing documents for DSA payment to participants;
• Assist in preparation of documents for expense reports for participants after the meeting;
• Assist to follow-up with UNDP counterparts in 14 countries for ICSOE stipend payment;
• Liaise with the interpreters and translators, for a smooth delivery of the meetings;
• Participate in internal ICSOE planning meetings;
• Undertake any other assignment as required by the SRO-EA Director and the ICSOE Coordinator.
In this regard, ECA SRO-EA is seeking to recruit one (1) Individual Contractor to support delivery of the 26th ICSOE.

Qualifications/special skills

Competency: Professionalism: Ability to carry out analysis and prepare reports. 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; Knowledge of MS Office is required.

Planning and 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.

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.

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.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions.
Academic Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent is a requirement. Bachelors’ degree in management, logistics, economics, communication, social sciences, or any related subject is an added advantage. Report writing skills are required. Knowledge of Eastern Africa context will be an added asset.
Experience: At least 5 years responsible experience in meeting assistance or management and report writing. Report writing skills are required. Knowledge of Eastern Africa context will be an added asset.
Language: English and French are the working (language) languages of the United Nations Secretariat (UNS). For this consultancy fluency in both English and French are required. Knowledge of another UN Language is an advantage.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.