About the Organization
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is one of the UN’s five regional commissions, established with a mandate to promote the economic and social development of its member states, foster regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa’s development. Headquartered in Addis Ababa, the ECA is a vital knowledge hub and a primary policy advocate for the continent, providing technical expertise to the African Union, regional economic communities, and national governments.
By joining the ECA, you enter a prestigious institutional environment that sits at the intersection of high-level diplomacy and evidence-based economic policy. The Commission is currently embarking on a flagship continental initiative (2026–2028) to revolutionize health financing, repositioning it as a core macroeconomic and sovereignty issue. This project represents a shift toward domestic fiscal independence and innovative financial governance, making it a cornerstone of Africa’s path toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The ECA prides itself on a culture of excellence, delivery discipline, and strategic alignment. Working here offers the unique opportunity to collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders—from UN Country Teams and the Africa CDC to private sector actors and financial institutions. It is a workplace that values adaptive management, data-driven governance, and professional integrity, providing a platform for experts to drive systemic change across 54 African nations.
Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the United Nations Secretariat. We recognize that our mission is best served by a workforce that reflects the diverse populations we support. We are committed to creating an equitable environment where gender equality is prioritized and where individuals from all backgrounds are empowered to contribute to Africa’s transformation.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage qualified women and candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. We are dedicated to providing a supportive, inclusive, and professional environment for all staff to ensure a high-impact career that contributes to the resilient and equitable future of the continent.
Job Description and Strategic Impact
The Project Manager for the Sustainable Health Financing Project is a high-stakes leadership role based within the Office of the Chief of Staff. This position is the operational engine of a multi-sectoral initiative designed to unlock fiscal space and drive health innovation across Africa. As the lead for the Project Delivery Unit (PDU), you will be responsible for translating a complex “Theory of Change” into a tangible, sequenced implementation framework that affects millions of lives.
The “day-in-the-life” of this Project Manager involves high-level coordination and matrix management. You will manage a Master Implementation Plan, tracking milestones across various ECA divisions and sub-regional offices while identifying and unblocking bottlenecks. Your role is to ensure that technical ownership remains with the specialists while accountability for delivery remains consolidated and transparent. This is a role for an executor who thrives in complex institutional environments and understands the nuances of multi-country project tracking.
Professional growth in this position is unparalleled for those in the development sector. You will operate at the highest levels of continental policy coordination, engaging with UN Resident Coordinators, National Working Groups, and senior leadership within the African Union and AfCFTA Secretariat. The experience gained in managing such a high-profile, risk-adjusted roadmap provides a gateway to senior executive roles within international organizations and multilateral development banks.
The strategic impact of your work will be the institutionalization of data-driven health governance and the deployment of innovative financing instruments that reduce Africa’s reliance on external aid. By ensuring timely, high-quality implementation, you help build the resilient health systems necessary for Africa’s long-term sovereignty and economic prosperity.
We are seeking a seasoned leader with a proven track record in results-based management and stakeholder engagement. If you are a professional who can maintain delivery discipline under pressure while fostering collaborative cross-divisional partnerships, this role offers a profound opportunity to leave a lasting legacy on African public finance.
Job Positions and Requirements
Project Manager – Sustainable Health Financing Project (Consultant)
Educational Qualification: Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Economics, Public Finance, Public Policy, Health Economics, or Development Studies. (A first-level degree with 12 years of experience may be accepted).
Work Experience: Minimum of 10 years in programme or project management.
Essential Experience: Proven track record managing multi-country, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
Desired Experience: Experience within the UN, MDBs, or equivalent international organizations; expertise in results-based management and complex institutional coordination.
Job Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Expected Duration: 8 Months.
Required Skills and Competencies
Operational Management: Ability to translate strategic theories into sequenced delivery roadmaps and master implementation plans.
Matrix Coordination: Skill in managing technical experts across different divisions while maintaining consolidated accountability.
MEL Frameworks: Expertise in designing and implementing Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems and tracking risk-adjusted timelines.
Communication: Fluency in English is required; the ability to prepare high-level dashboards and senior leadership briefs is essential.
Employment Type and Salary
This is a Consultancy (CON) position with an expected duration of 8 months. Compensation is aligned with UN Consultant levels, providing a competitive rate for high-level technical expertise.
How to Apply
The United Nations maintains a transparent and fee-free recruitment process. Please be aware that the UN does not charge a fee at any stage (application, interview, processing, or training) and does not require information on your bank accounts.
You are NOT required to provide scanned certificates or diplomas during the initial application phase. Candidates should submit their application and detailed CV through the official UN careers portal. Ensure that your application clearly demonstrates your 10+ years of project management experience and your familiarity with complex, multi-country initiatives.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment. Due to the high volume of applications, individual status updates are not provided. If you do not hear from the recruitment team following the deadline, please consider your application unsuccessful at this time.
To apply, visit the official UN Careers website and search for Job Opening ID 274858.
Application Deadline
April 13, 2026
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