SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS OFFICER, P4
Overview
The Scientific Affairs Officer will be responsible for planning and delivering activities aimed at promoting Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) for development in Africa. The role coordinates efforts to advance the implementation of STI strategies and frameworks.
Key Responsibilities
- Performs regional, sub-regional and national analysis as background studies for advising national governments
- Designs technical modalities for the conduct of complex field reviews of an advanced nature
- Prepares and coordinates analytical studies on Science, Technology and Innovation and policy relevant to ECA programmes, projects and initiatives
- Recommends policy proposals based on study results for inclusion in reports and other documents
- Designs policy frameworks, describing trends, patterns, and relationships, and analyzing the effects of alternative policy and assumptions
- Acquires data on science, technology and innovation necessary for the specific assignment
- Drafts technical papers based on the results of advanced scientific, technology and innovation policy analysis
- Reviews drafts of more routine studies
- Represents ECA at meetings at the international, regional and national level to exchange information and coordinate ongoing work
- Conducts training seminars of African national experts for dissemination of ECA's strategies and initiatives and key positions on science, technology and innovation in Africa
- Assists programme managers in formulating work programme activities, identifying services and products to be rendered to specific client groups, and preparing business plans and programme implementation plans
- Identifies appropriate measurable indicators for monitoring and evaluation of work programme performance and impact on ECA client groups
- Participates in the appraisal of extra-budgetary programme and project proposals before their submission to donors
- Drafts written instructions translating the decisions of ECA's legislative organs and other relevant bodies of the United Nations for implementation by the substantive programme and supporting divisions
- Adapts established standards, methodologies and techniques to monitoring and evaluation work
- Assists in installing, adapting and utilizing suitable software for use in the analysis, synthesis and presentation of programme performance data for monitoring evaluation exercises
- Participates in the creation, maintenance and updating of a database of key monitoring variables
- Analyzes collected data and information
- Performs other related duties as required
Required Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in Science, Technology and Innovation, emerging technologies, economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or programme planning, monitoring and evaluation and related issues is required. Experience of implementing result-oriented work programmes built around coherent strategies in Science, Technology, and Innovation sectors is required. Hands-on experience in developing and implementing a Science, Technology, and Innovation strategy for stakeholders at various levels is desirable. 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable.
Qualifications
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Science, Technology and Innovation or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A PhD degree is an advantage. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science programs is an advantage.