Job Opening
Posting Title:    INTERN – ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, I (Temporary Job Opening)

Job Code Title:    INTERN – ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
Department/Office:    Economic Commission for Africa

Duty Station:    YAOUNDE
Posting Period:    20 September 2022 – 19 January 2023
Job Opening Number:    22-Economic Affairs-ECA-188273-J-Yaounde (A)
Staffing Exercise    N/A
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
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Org. Setting and Reporting
ECA’s 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 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 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.

The Sub-regional Office for Central Africa (SRO-CA) is located in Yaoundé (Cameroon). It is headed by a Director who reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme). Its main objective is to contribute to achieving economic diversification and structural transformation for inclusive and sustainable development in an integrated Central Africa sub-region with focus on economic diversification policy and reforms.

This internship is located in the Sub-regional Office for Central Africa (SRO-CA) of the Economic Commission for Africa in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Responsibilities
Under the general guidance of the Chief of the “Economic Diversification Policy and Reforms Section” and/or the Chief of the “Sub-regional Initiatives Section” and the direct supervision of a relevant responsible officer, the intern will make an important contribution to the work of the Section. Activities change according to the needs of the section, but typical tasks include the following:

•Contribute to economic analysis and research and identify key medium and short-term risks relevant for macroeconomic policy formulation in Central Africa;
•Conduct econometric and statistical analyses and prepare summary tables, graphs, and other inputs, as needed, for recurrent and non-recurrent publications such as the STEPS profiles, working papers and policy briefs;
•Conduct research on renewable energy development policies, economic diversification, industrialization, digital transformation, Zlecaf-services trade and, regional integration in Central African countries;
•Assist in the preparation of studies on progress in the SDGs in Central African countries;
•Assist in the questionnaire design in support of geo spatial data collection and mapping in selected African economies;
•Assist in the preparation of questionnaire design and industrial skills assessment surveys in selected African countries;
•Assist in questionnaire design and data collection to build regional value chains experts systems within and between central African economies and selected African countries;
•Assist in questionnaire design and data collection to build services sector baseline and outlook in selected African countries;
•Assist in questionnaire design and data collection for energy modelling and economic diversification in selected African countries;
•Assist in data collection and infographics related production for high impact presentation and communication of relevance to selected African countries;
•Assist in data collection and production of risk views related analysis of relevance to selected African countries;
•Assist in questionnaire design and data collection in support of community of practices development;
•Assist in industry procurement or supplier identification, questionnaire design and in depth firm level data collection in support of design of supporting industry databases;
•Participate in peer-reviews and contribute to the editing of relevant reports/publications
•Servicing of statutory meetings, workshop and other events (e.g. rapporteuring for ICE and other events;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Competencies
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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 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.

Education
To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met:

(a) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
(b) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
(c) have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one year period of graduation.

Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

This is an ongoing advertisement. The successful candidates may be contacted at any time within the posting period or shortly thereafter.

Work Experience
No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the Internship Programme, fluency in English or French is required. Working knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment
Potential candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager directly for further consideration. Due to the large number of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.

Special Notice
The internship is UNPAID and full time. Interns work five days per week under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

In your Personal History Profile, please list all past work experience (if any), your IT skills, and three references.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted. Please note that this is an on-going advertisement until December 2022. Successful candidates may be contacted at any time during the posting period or shortly thereafter. Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and /or illness incurred during an internship. Therefore, upon awarding an internship, candidates will be required to sign a statement confirming their understanding and acceptance of the condition of service.

A completed online application (including Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Cover Note must include – your Degree programme (what are you currently studying?)
– your Graduation date (when will you or when did you graduate from the programme?);
– list your three main areas of interest;
– any IT skills or software applications that you are proficient in;
– an explanation as to why you would be the best candidate for this internship;
– an explanation as to why you are interested in the United Nations Internship Programme.
In your Personal History Profile, please list all past work experience, your IT skills, and three references.

United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

All applications must be submitted ONLINE at : https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=188273