Career opportunity in UNDP : Economist
Economist
Job Identification : 1864
Locations : Kathmandu, Nepal
Posting Date : 12/31/2021, 05:43 PM
Apply Before : 01/15/2022, 10:44 AM
Job Schedule : Full time
Agency : UNDP
Grade : NOC
Vacancy Type : Fixed Term
Practice Area : Management
Bureau : Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific
Contract Duration : 1 Year with Possibility for extension
Education & Work Experience : Master’s Degree – 5 year(s) experience OR Bachelor’s Degree – 7 year(s) experience
Other Criteria : Master’s Degree (or equivalent) or bachelor’s degree in Economics or related fields is required. Ph.D. in Economics will be an advantage.
Required Languages : English and Nepali
Desired Languages : Working knowledge of other UN language desirable
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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.
UNDP supports countries around the world to formulate strategies, policies, and programme interventions that promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To advance these aims, UNDP provides technical policy advice and programming tools, especially to help address critical sustainable development challenges.
UNDP country offices work closely with government agencies and other national stakeholders to support the introduction of inclusive and sustainable development policies that are aligned with the national context. National economists based in country offices across the Asia-Pacific region contribute to this work, including through support to policy dialogue with government officials and other partners, assistance in programme development, and production of research and analysis. These colleagues also collaborate and share experiences and practices across countries inside and outside the Asia-Pacific region.
In this context, UNDP Nepal is recruiting a Development Economist to help contribute to its overall work programme. The Development Economist will support the country office by providing economic analysis and policy advice to management and government counterparts that favor inclusive and resilient development, including the integration of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs into national, provincial and local level plans/policies and activities. S/he will also work closely with all programme team, particularly with the strategic engagement team and be responsible for helping develop large-scale development solutions and activities aimed at enhancing UNDP’s programmatic support for SDG integration. The development economist will work closely with the Programme Team to ensure mainstreaming of the gender and inclusion issues in the proposed development solutions and activities aimed at enhancing UNDP’s programmatic support. The Development Economist is expected to contribute to knowledge generation through research and analysis, represent UNDP as required in policy discussions, and work closely with the country programme teams and the regional network on SDG integration, acceleration, and innovation.
The Development Economist will be based full-time in the UNDP country office. Domestic and international travel may be required. S/he will work closely with the programme and operations teams in the country office, UNDP’s national acceleration lab, and colleagues in the Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH). S/he will also collaborate with the Asia-Pacific regional network of country economists. This will include systematic engagement with and oversight from the lead regional economic advisors based in Bangkok and Beijing. S/he is also expected to develop and maintain a network of colleagues across development partner agencies, government institutions, the private sector, academia, media and civil society.
Under the direct supervision of the Resident Representative with matrix reporting to the Regional Economic Advisor in Bangkok Regional Hub, the Development Economist will be primarily responsible for the following work streams:
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of key functions:
- Provision of analytical support to UNDP country office management, including to help strengthen programme development and implementation.
- Provision of technical policy and analytical advice to national government counterparts, especially in support of the 2030 Agenda and the introduction of sustainable and inclusive economic policies.
- Representation, advocacy, and partner engagement to support UNDP’s institutional positioning and advance its mandate.
- Contribution to UNDP’s analytical and advisory work across the Asia-Pacific region, including collaboration with the regional economist network and analysis of priority regional thematic areas.
- Contribute to mainstreaming gender and social inclusion in UNDP’s programme.
1. Provision of support to UNDP country office management, including to help strengthen programme development and implementation.
- Facilitate UNDP country office management with preparation and implementation of country programmes and strategies, including the Country Programme Document (CPD) and/or its mid-term implementation review;
- Support produce country specific analysis to inform UNDP about country’s economic performance and growth trends; assist in the development of theories of change for new project ideas, prepare concepts notes and project proposals for funding based on the research on funding opportunities and priorities of the UNDP Country Programme;
- Contribute inputs to UNDP CO team’s new project formulation and project pipeline development;
- Work closely with the Strategic team and Portfolio managers to prepare models of innovative finance and explore opportunities for leveraging investments from private sector for UNDP programmes and projects to contribute to achieve the SDGs
- Support UNDP country office teams to develop and manage relevant thematic portfolios, such as activities to support inclusive growth and resilience building and progress towards the SDGs;
- Provide analysis and research in priority thematic areas at the country level, including through the publication of policy briefs or other analytical outputs;
- Compile and analyse statistical data as required in support of country strategies, activities and indicator reporting;
- Collaborate across UNDP teams, especially to ensure linkages to the work emerging from the network of acceleration labs for new project formulation;
- Facilitate the creation of large-scale development solutions to help address complex development challenges and recommend how to adapt existing programme portfolio to reflect new solutions.
2. Provision of technical advice to national government counterparts and other partners, especially in support of the 2030 Agenda and the introduction of sustainable and inclusive economic policies.
- Facilitate evidence based dialogue on sustainable development issues with government officials, development partners, civil society including women’s and marginalized groups, and the private sector;
- Provide policy and programming advice and support for development planning and policy formulation at the national, provincial and local levels;
- Facilitate the identification and analysis of interventions that can impact multiple development goals and targets at the same time;
- Carry out research and analysis in support of the SDGs localization, based on requests by the Government;
- Ensure monitoring and reporting of progress related to SDGs and other national development frameworks.
3. Representation, advocacy, and partner engagement to support UNDP’s institutional positioning and advance its mandate.
- Develop and/or strengthen partnerships with UN agencies, IFIs, bilateral development agencies, private sector entities, and civil society including with women’s and marginalized groups;
- Represent UNDP country office in relevant forums, conferences, or workshops, including to present research or programmatic results;
- Support UNDP resource mobilization and future growth strategies through project pipeline development and design of large-scale programme and development solutions;
- Contribute to national, regional, and global knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Contribution to UNDP’s analytical and advisory work across the Asia-Pacific region, including collaboration with the regional economist network and analysis of priority regional thematic areas.
- Participate actively in the UNDP Asia-Pacific regional network of economists, including through attending regional meetings (in-person and/or virtual), sharing relevant experiences, and conducting peer reviews;
- 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);
- Support enhance UNDP’s understanding and design of new approaches to sustainable development across the region by acting as a regional thematic lead where possible;
- Contribute to UNDP’s global communities of practice as relevant.
3. Contribute in mainstreaming gender and social inclusion.
- Ensure gender analysis and integrate GESI in key reports, programme/strategies developed including relevant thematic portfolios;
- Ensure analysis, research in priority themes, knowledge products reflect gender and inclusion considerations;
- Ensure policy and programmatic advice integrates gender considerations and the principle of leave no one behind.
– Competencies
– Core
Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work.
Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them
Leadership
Ability to persuade others to follow.
Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to removes barriers
People Management
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.
Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others
Communication
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.
Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others
Delivery
Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.
Level 5:Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions
– Technical/Functional
- Economics: Knowledge of economics concepts, principles and policies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise - Information Systems & Technology: Knowledge of IST innovations and concepts and ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical situations.
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise - Innovation: Ability to try out / test new ways of engagement and communications. Openness to different and new ways of doing things; willingness to modify one’s preferred way of doing things.
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise - Strategic thinking/Visioning: Ability to analyse the organization’s value proposition and shape visionary/long term plans. Use insight to identify target audiences and partners and to inform communication objectives, messages and solutions.
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise - Collaboration and Partnership: Ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside (Programmes/projects) or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support. Sets overall direction for the formation and management of strategic relationships contributing to the overall positioning of UNDP.
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
– Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master’s Degree (or equivalent) or bachelor’s degree in Economics or related fields is required.
- Ph.D. in Economics will be an advantage.
Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience (with Master’s degree) at the national or international level in relevant areas of economic research and policy and implementation support or 7 years of experience with relevant Bachelor’s Degree.
- Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis;
- Proven policy, advisory and advocacy experience;
- Experience in preparing high quality policy briefs and guidance notes for use by senior policy makers is desirable;
- Experience of strategic visioning with strong technical and highly developed analytical capabilities is desirable;
- Knowledge of the SDGs and their application at the national level, politically astute with demonstrated experience in stakeholder analysis and engagement;
- Experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data is desirable.
– Language Requirements:
- Good written and spoken English and Nepali;
- Working knowledge of other UN language desirable
– 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.
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