Chief of Section, Economic Affairs, P5

The Chief of Section leads the Climate Change, Food Security and Natural Resources Division's section on natural resources governance and agri-food system transformation. The role involves policy guidance, management of section activities, coordination with UN agencies and donors, and representation at inter-agency meetings to support Africa's sustainable development and climate resilience.

Responsibilities

• Provide policy guidance to the Director on strategy development and management related to natural resources governance and agri-food system transformation.
• Oversee planning and management of section activities ensuring timely delivery of work programmes.
• Manage and supervise the work programme of the section.
• Provide substantive input for position papers and reports to intergovernmental bodies.
• Contribute to reporting on budget/programme performance and programmatic issues.
• Ensure high-quality standards of outputs produced by the section.
• Prepare inputs for the division's work programme, determine priorities and allocate resources.
• Carry out programmatic and administrative tasks including budget preparation, performance monitoring, and staff evaluation.
• Recruit staff ensuring geographical and gender balance.
• Manage, guide, develop and train staff under supervision.
• Foster teamwork and communication within the section and across organizational boundaries.
• Represent the organization at inter-agency meetings and seminars on climate change-related issues.
• Participate in international, regional or national meetings providing programmatic and substantive expertise.
• Support the division in formulating and implementing gender sensitive policies related to climate change and resilience.
• Establish research programmes to improve policymaker capacities on climate change issues.
• Oversee research to support policy, legal and regulatory frameworks to strengthen climate resilience at multiple levels.

Requirements

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in economics, natural resources management, food policy, law, international development/development studies, natural or social sciences is required.
• A Doctorate is an advantage.
• A first-level degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) in the specified fields with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the field of natural resources governance and/or agri-food system transformation sustainable development, gained through research, policy, practice and the provision of related advisory services at national, regional and international levels, is required.
• Experience in a developing country is desirable.
• Two years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
• English or French is required; knowledge of the other is desirable.
• Knowledge of another official United Nations Language is an advantage.

Skills

• Natural Resource Governance
• Agri-food System Transformation
• Sustainable Development
• Policy Guidance
• Research
• Advisory Services
• Data Analytics
• Climate Change Policy
• Inter-agency Coordination
• Donor Coordination
• Economic Analysis
• Food Security
• International Development
• Programme Management
• Stakeholder Engagement

Languages

English, French