FACILITATOR (Roster Purpose)

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Result of Service

• Enhanced team cohesion, communication, and collaboration within ECA divisions and sections
• Structured, solution oriented, and engaging workshop processes
• High quality facilitation outputs that support organizational effectiveness and staff engagement
• Successful delivery of retreats and interventions that contribute to ECA's strategic and operational goals

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Work Location

Multiple locations

Expected Duration

Varies by assignment

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Duties and Responsibilities

The Economic Commission for Africa is a regional commission of the United Nations established in 1958. Its mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its member states, foster intraregional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa's development. ECA's mandate is executed through broad thematic areas supported by Divisions and specialised Centres. The Divisions and Centres are further enabled through Programmatic Support teams.

At the core of its delivery capability is ECA's world class human capital represented by a talent base comprising international and national staff members with diverse educational backgrounds and work experience. In line with the Secretary General's UN80 Initiative — launched in March 2025 to modernize and strengthen the United Nations system — the organization is undertaking one of its most comprehensive reform efforts in decades. The Initiative seeks to make the UN more agile, integrated, efficient, and better equipped to address today's complex global challenges amid tightening resources.

Through a set of coordinated workstreams, including improving system wide efficiency, reviewing mandate implementation, and exploring structural and programmatic realignments, UN80 aims to streamline operations, reduce fragmentation and duplication, enhance impact, and ensure that the UN remains fit for purpose in the 21st century. These reforms provide the backdrop for ECA's continued investment in building strong organizational capabilities, including high quality facilitation to support collaboration, team effectiveness, and strategic alignment.

ECA's Human Resources function anchors critical learning and development initiatives for the Commission, including interventions to facilitate change management. ECA-HR's Organization Development Unit (ODU) is tasked with the responsibility of designing and delivering learning and development interventions that positively impact organization effectiveness and change. In doing so, ECA-HR (ODU) partners HR practitioners, OD consultants, change management organizations and facilitators. To meet the growing internal demand for high-quality facilitation, ECA seeks to establish a roster/panel of qualified facilitators who may be engaged on an as needed basis to support different divisions and sections.

Rostered consultants will work under the overall guidance of the Chief Human Resources Officer and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Organization Development Unit (ODU), or a designated focal point.

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Typical Responsibilities

Programme Design and Preparation

• Collaborate with ECA focal points to develop and finalize programme agendas, tools, and resource materials through a consultative process
• Contextualize and tailor facilitation content to the specific needs of the requesting division, section, or SROs

Facilitation Delivery

• Lead and facilitate retreat sessions, strategy workshops, team building activities, and problem solving meetings
• Create an inclusive, participatory, and respectful environment that supports open dialogue and productive engagement
• Select and apply appropriate facilitation methods and tools to help groups meet objectives and achieve intended outcomes
• Manage group dynamics effectively, including navigating conflict, addressing disruptive behavior, and maintaining focus on agreed goals

Process Management and Documentation

• Guide participants through discussions, synthesize key points, and provide clear summaries and direction
• Monitor group engagement and adapt facilitation approaches as needed
• Produce comprehensive post session reports with observations, insights, and actionable recommendations

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Qualifications/Special Skills

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Human Resources Management, Psychology, Organizational Development, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Education, or a related field is required
• A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree
• Certification in Facilitation from renowned institutions such as the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA), International Institute for Facilitation (INIFAC), professional facilitator certification from Association for Talent Development (ATD) or from the International Association of Facilitators (IAF) is an advantage
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in designing and facilitating retreats, strategic planning sessions, organizational development workshops, group learning processes, and in facilitating small and large groups of adult learners in an organizational setting is required
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in interactive learning methodologies and the ability to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders while maintaining effective communication skills is required
• Proven knowledge of organizational learning, outcome harvesting, and other quantitative or qualitative evaluation methods is desirable
• Experience in UN or international organizations is an asset

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Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations; fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of French is an advantage; knowledge of another UN official language is an added benefit

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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.

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