UNDP Country Economist || Apply Now |

The UNDP Country Economist works under the direct guidance of the Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative in the Country Office, in close collaboration with programme and operations teams, and has a dotted line to the RBAP Chief Economist. S/he is an ambassador of the Economist Network and is expected to contribute about 20% of her/his time to activities across the Network (in other countries, the subregion or the region).

Duties and Responsibilities of UNDP Country

Advise UNDP Country Office management and programme teams to strengthen programme development and implementation:

• Advise UNDP Country Office management with the preparation and implementation of country programmes and strategies, including the development of country programme document (CPD) and related analyses.
• Advise and support UNDP Country Office teams to develop and manage relevant thematic portfolios, such as activities to support inclusive growth and progress towards the SDGs, and related financing solutions.
• Lead UNDP Country Office efforts to implement recommendations of the Development Finance Assessment (DFA), Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) and accompanying processes and to use existing financial resources more effectively and efficiently to achieve the SDGs.
• Compile data and perform statistical analysis as required to support innovative knowledge work country strategies and activities.
• Collaborate across UNDP teams, especially to ensure linkages to the work emerging from the network of acceleration labs.
• Advise and support the creation of large-scale development solutions to help address complex development challenges.
• Lead the expansion of Country Office service offers on financing for development, including innovative financing models and country specific/sector specific studies.

Lead policy advice to national government counterparts and other partners, especially in support of the 2030 Agenda and the introduction of sustainable and inclusive economic policies:

• Advise and facilitate dialogue on sustainable development issues with government officials, development partners, civil society, and the private sector.
• Provide policy and programming advice and support for development planning and policy formulation at the national, sub-national, and local levels, with particular attention to innovative SDG financing solutions.
• Advise and support the identification and analysis of interventions that can impact multiple development goals and targets at the same time.
• Advise and support monitoring and reporting of progress related to SDGs and other national development frameworks, including to help strengthen national and local level data collection and statistical capacity.
• Guide to leverage UNDP’s regional and global programmes, to provide holistic and effective support to the country.
• Leverage support and expertise from the UNDP’s global/regional Economist networks to strengthen UNDP’s support on economic analysis and policy development for the Government and the UN Country Team.

Advocate and engage with partners to support UNDP’s institutional positioning and advance its mandate, when directed by the Resident Representative:

• Contribute, in close collaboration with senior management, to the development and/or strengthening of partnerships with UN agencies, IFIs, bilateral development agencies, private sector entities, and civil society.
• When delegated, represent the UNDP Country Office in relevant forums, conferences, or workshops, including presenting research or programmatic results.
• Support the Resident Representative in resource mobilization and future growth strategies and contribute to the design of large-scale programme and development solutions.
• Contribute to national, regional, and global knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Contribute to UNDP’s work across the Asia-Pacific region, including collaboration with RBAP’s Economist Network, sub-regional and other Country Offices, and analytical work on priority regional thematic areas:

• Substantively contribute as possible to UNDP regional knowledge products and development of programming offers in regional priority areas (e.g., inequality, future of work, innovative financing, development strategies, economic governance, political economy)
• Participate actively in the Economist Network of RBAP by attending regional meetings (in-person and/or virtual), sharing relevant experiences, and conducting peer reviews.
• Collaborate and contribute to regional and sub-regional publications, practice notes, and Regional Human Development Reports.
• Stay informed about broader developments, contribute to cross-border and cross-GPN initiatives, and support the economist network through common analyses, frameworks, and templates.
• Enhance UNDP’s understanding and design of new approaches to sustainable development across the region by acting as a regional thematic lead where possible.

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Required Skills

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics or related field is required, Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Economics or related field in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
• A Ph.D. in Economics will be an advantage.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills: 

• Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience at the national or international level in relevant areas of development finance, economic research, and policy and implementation support is required.
• Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis is required.
• Proven policy, advisory, and advocacy experience is required.
• Experience in preparing high-quality policy briefs and guidance notes for use by senior policymakers is required.
• Experience in strategic visioning with strong technical and highly developed analytical capabilities is desired.
• Knowledge of the SDGs and their application at the national level, politically astute with demonstrated experience in stakeholder analysis and engagement is an asset.
• Experience in handling data and software programmes for statistical analysis is desired.
• Previous work experience in Asia and the Pacific region and cross-country experience would be an asset.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.

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