Economics Specialist

United Nations Development Programme

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a 'leave no one behind' approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

 

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The Regional Bureau Africa (RBA) team in New York provides overall strategic oversight, guidance and quality assurance, management support and broader regional analysis, including on global issues. RBA also contributes to UN reform and coordination efforts by strengthening the UN Resident Coordination system in the region for greater coherence and harmonization of UN Country Teams and leading the sub-Saharan Africa Regional UN Development Group. The Strategy, Analysis and Research Team (SART) supports RBA by conducting and disseminating high-quality analytical research, keeping RBA abreast of cutting-edge empirical and policy publications, representing, and positioning RBA, fostering substantive and creative partnerships, and advocating for sustainable change.

The Economist Programme is one of RBA's most valued initiatives in enhancing policy support and capacity in our programme countries. It is particularly more relevant now that the 2030 development agenda and the African Union Agenda (Agenda 2063) are being jointly rolled out and implemented at the national and regional levels. Sitting on an important inflection point, Africa has adopted structural transformation, investments in human development and green growth as its key guiding policies for Africa's growth and development. As such, enhanced policy support capacity at country level, to take forward Africa's agenda, is an imperative.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative and the Chief Economist, the Economics Specialist is responsible for research, development and application of economic theories and principles to the formulation of strategies and plans for solutions to economic problems, especially as they relate to the Sustainable Development Goals and development issues in Africa. The Economics Specialist will help position UNDP at the Country level as a thought leader and an integrator of the SDGs by leading the preparation of pertinent knowledge products that generate issues for productive national debates, analyzing economic and social trends and providing Economic Specialist services to the Government, UN Country Teams on development issues and policies as well as enhancing the policy impact of UNDP programmes and projects.

In addition, the Economics Specialist is expected to monitor economic policy developments and advises RR, UNCT and other members of the UNDP team and its partners on strategic policy issues. He/she contributes to UNDP's policy dialogue with Government and donors. She/he supervises and leads a team of UNDP experts, international and national consultants, and project staff on policy matters. The Economic Specialist works in close collaboration with the operations and programme teams, UNDP HQs staff, particularly Policy Advisors in the RBA's Strategy and Analysis Team (SAT) and those in the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS); the Regional Service Center for Africa (RSCA), Government officials, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring high-level of UNDP programmes policy impact.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions

• Provides  high quality economic analysis  to UNDP and UNCT programmes and ensures that UNDP programmes are in line with national policies and priorities focusing on achievement of the following results
• Ensures provision of  top quality and innovative policy advisory services  to the Government and facilitation of capacity development and knowledge building and management in support of inclusive growth and the attainment Ensures effective support for RBA  partnerships and strategic communication  processes and initiatives of the SDGs and Agenda 2063 in Africa, focusing on achievement of the following results:
• Promotes  advocacy and awareness of UNDP mandate, mission and purpose  focusing on achievement of the following results.
• Ensures effective advice for RBA  partnerships and strategic communication  processes and initiatives.
• Promote Awareness and facilitate knowledge  building and knowledge  sharing in RBA.

Provides  high quality economic analysis  to UNDP and UNCT programmes and ensures that UNDP programmes are in line with national policies and priorities focusing on achievement of the following results.

• Reviews, compiles, analyses, and interprets economic and statistical data relevant to country's development assets, opportunities and constraints, and preparation of top quality relevant socio-economic research notes/briefs/reports.
• Makes full use of policy and analytical instruments and modalities (e.g., DFAs, MAPS and other assessments) to inform the substantive content of national development plans, policies, and programmes, to advance the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.
• Utilizes insights gained from economic analysis, tapping the latest advances, to advise on the focus, design, and M&E of CCAs, UNSCDFs and CPDs

Ensures provision of  top quality and innovative policy advisory services  to the Government and facilitation of capacity development and knowledge building and management in support of inclusive growth and the attainment of the SDGs and Agenda 2063 in Africa, focusing on achievement of the following results.

• Collects, analyses, and synthesizes macro-economic, SDG and related information and best practices, paying attention to the gender and capacity development aspects, and proposes policy options to relevant government departments.
• Provides high-quality development advice to the RR in policy dialogues with host governments, UN System, and other strategic partners on economic issues, most notably in relation to inclusive growth, sustainability, inequalities, and achievement of the SDGs. 
• Contributes to alternative policy advice through the preparation, launch and follow-up of national HDRs and other development reports and policy briefs.
• Develops national capacities on and participates in the formulation of SDG-based policies and plans, including appropriate macroeconomic, fiscal, and medium-term expenditure frameworks. 
• Keeps abreast of regional and global economic trends and issues and analyses their implications for the realization of the SDGs and 2063 in Africa.
• Contributes to knowledge networks and communities of practice, in close collaboration with UN agencies, the IFIs and other development partners. 
• Works closely with the Bureau for Programme and Policy Support (BPPS), the Crisis Bureau (CB), and the Regional Service Centre (Addis) to provide guidance and support on SDG-related issues on Africa through the Regional Bureau for Africa.
• Contributes substantively to knowledge and development exchanges through the RBA Economists e-network.

Promotes  advocacy and awareness of UNDP mandate, mission and purpose  focusing on achievement of the following results.

• Advocates for the Agenda 2030 (SDGs), human development and equitable economic growth by participating in relevant meetings, forums, conferences, and trainings.
• Monitors poverty reduction and progress towards the achievement of the SDGs leading to management of the production and launch of economic and SDG-related reports/publications.
• Contributes substantively to knowledge generation and development exchanges through the RBA Economists e-network.

Ensures effective advice for RBA  partnerships and strategic communication  processes and initiatives.

• Promotes and deepens partnerships, in consultation with the UNDP Resident Representative and relevant RBA staff members.
• Track and archive partnership activities and deliverables.
• Track and archive strategic communication processes and deliverables.

Promote awareness and facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing in RBA

• Contributes to skills transfer and mentorship initiatives in RBA.
• Adheres to UNDP administrative and financial procedures, as required.
• Supports RBA procurement and recruitment processes.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Programme personnel including consultants.

Competencies

Core

• Achieve Results - LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 
• Think Innovatively: - LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 
• Learn Continuously - LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 
• Act with Determination - LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner - LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management 

UNDP People Management Competencies. These can be found in this dedicated site. 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy
System Thinking 

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Direction & Strategy
Working with Evidence and Data 

• Ability/to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making

Business Management
Portfolio Management

• Ability to select, prioritise and control the organizations programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment

Digital & Innovation
Data Literacy

• Understand the potential as well as the limitations of using data driven innovation. Ability to use a mix of data sources (quantitative, qualitative, or real-time techniques) to develop understanding, identify patterns to inform decision

Programme & Policy
SDG Integration

• Economy-wide analysis
• Institutional and Context analysis

Inclusive Growth 
2030 Agenda: Prosperity

• Addressing developmental impacts of COVID 19 and safeguarding progress towards the SDGs

Partnership management 
IFI Partnerships 

• Knowledge and understanding of IFIs (strategies, approaches, processes, and systems)

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Social Policy, Public Policy, Politics, Development Studies, or a related area is required. OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advance university degree.
• Doctorate Degree in Economics, Social Policy, Public Policy, Politics, Development Studies, or a related area, with strong emphasis on macro-economic and other quantitative skills, development economics and economic planning is desired.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years (with master's degree) or 9 years (with bachelor's degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in the economic and/or socioeconomic strategy processes, including inequalities and gender issues in development country contexts, awareness of SDGs related policy matters and knowledge of policy options for domestic resource mobilization is required.
• Demonstrated experience in macro-economic and other quantitative skills, Development Economics and Economic Planning is required.
• Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis, including in formulation, monitoring and evaluation of strategies and development programmes/projects is required. 
• Demonstrated experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data is required.
• Extensive experience providing policy advice on economic and/or socioeconomics issues to senior government and institutional representatives is required.
• Demonstrated ability to lead collaborative research-oriented event (like seminars and workshops) is desired.
• Proven capacity to develop policy-focused programming and strategic interventions is desired.
• Proven leadership skills, capacity development and mentorship for national economists and country teams is desired.
• Demonstrable familiarity with economic development concepts and applications is desired. 
• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Working knowledge of another UN language is desired.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders) 

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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Branche: Community/Sozialer Dienst/Non-Profit

Funktion: Anderes

Stellenprozent: 80-100%

Anstellungsart: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)