Result of Service

To continue strengthening the support to the High-level Working Group as its secretariat, the Commission is seeking the services of a consultant, who will work as a coordinator for the High-level Working Group to provide both substantive and coordination support.

Work Location

Remotely

Expected duration

6 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background The Africa High-level Working Group on the Global Financial Architecture (“High-level Working Group”) is coordinated by the Economic Commission for Africa, comprises African ministers of finance, planning and economic development, the African Union, the African Development Bank, the African Export-Import Bank and the World Bank Group, and includes the participation of staff and executive directors of the International Monetary Fund. The role of the High-level Working Group has been to monitor and respond to the economic consequences for African countries of continuous shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and cuts in ODA. The High-level Working Group has functioned as a platform for building a consensus among African policymakers on specific requests and proposals for reforming the global financial architecture. The High-level Working Group has been convening since early 2022, both in person and online. In consultation with African finance ministries. The Economic Commission for Africa has produced the report: The IMF and the Future of the Global Financial Architecture to advocate for IMF reforms to empower low- and middle-income countries. To continue strengthening the support to the High-level Working Group as its secretariat, the Commission is seeking the services of a consultant, who will work as a coordinator for the High-level Working Group to provide both substantive and coordination support. Duties and responsibilities Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programmes) or her mandated representative, the consultant will be expected to undertake, but not limited to, the following responsibilities:

Monitor and analyse global economic developments and their implications for African economies, providing timely updates and strategic insights
Monitor the updates of policies related to the reform of the global financial architecture, and analyse their implications to African countries
Draft and develop key reform proposals, policy briefs, technical notes, and presentations for high-level engagements with African policymakers, development partners, and multilateral institutions
Provide technical input to ECA’s engagement in global and regional economic governance platforms, including the G20, G24, IMF, and World Bank, in relation to the reform proposals of the High-level Working Group
Backstop the High-level Working Group documents, materials, knowledge products
Coordinate with colleagues to organize the meetings of the High-level Working Group, and ensure smooth coordination with internal and external partners for successful participation and outcomes
Record all High-level Working Group activities for programme monitoring and reporting purposes.
Prepare progress reports, summary of achievements, and briefs as requested by internal processes and external donors
Participate in missions to support the organization and engagement of the High-level Working Group
Prepare communication materials for the High-level Working Group, including Press Release, social media posts, and others, for advocacy and impacts
Undertake other tasks as required.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in macroeconomic policy, economic research and analysis, forecasting, and application of economic principles in development programmes is required. Substantial and related experience with Bretton Woods Institutions/Development Finance Institutions is required. Strong economic analytical skills and econometric modelling/programming skills are required. Knowledge of the IMF and Multilateral Development Banks will be a strong desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

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.

Consultancy on Coordinator of the High-level Working Group