Job Description

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. 
 
Duties and Responsibilities
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: 
 
Functions / Key Results Expected:

1. Provision of analytical support to UNDP country office management, including to help strengthen programme development and implementation;
2. 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;
3. Representation, advocacy, and partner engagement to support UNDP’s institutional positioning and advance its mandate;
4. 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;
5. Contribute to mainstreaming gender and social inclusion in UNDP’s.

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;
• 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 substantive input to UNDP CO team’s new project formulation and project pipeline development; 
• Support UNDP CO 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.

4. 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;
• 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);
• 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.

5. Contribute in mainstreaming gender and social inclusion.

• Ensure gender analysis is integrated in key reports, programme/strategies developed including in 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 Competencies:
 
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 Competencies:
 
Social Inclusion
Knowledge of inclusive growth, decent employment and social protection concepts, principles and issues and the 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
 
Gender and Institutional Development
Knowledge of systems for gender mainstreaming and capacity development and interagency collaboration 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
 
Sustainable Development Goals
Knowledge of the Millennium Development Goals, Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030 and the 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
 
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
 
Development and Operational Effectiveness
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting; Ability to lead formulation and evaluation of development programmes and projects; Ability to apply economic theory to the specific country context, carry out high-quality economic research
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Results-based Management
Ability to design programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Substantive Networking
Ability to substantively engage and foster networks with academia, research institutions, and think tanks 
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Partnerships 
Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, Government counterparts and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships 
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Knowledge Management 
Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to UNDP Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development; Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on economic issues; In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Research 
Knowledge of analytical tools, market research and methods for undertaking substantive research on various policy related issues 
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:

• Completion of PhD or Master’s Degree in Economics, Econometrics, Statistics or equivalent.

Experience:

• 7 years of relevant development experience for PhD and 8 years for Masters’ degree, at the national or international level;
• Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis;
• Experience in project formulation and partnership management
• Direct experience providing technical advice to government officials;
• Experience in designing, monitoring and evaluating development projects;
• Knowledge of the SDGs, their indicator framework, and their application at the national level;
• Knowledge of various financing tools and their application in national context for SDGs acceleration;
• Familiarity with gender and inclusion issues, themes, and challenges in South Asian region.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written English is essential.

Other:

• Experience using computers and office software packages, including programmes for statistical analysis of data;
• Excellent drafting skills in English and good presentation skills, including data visualization skills.

 
Disclaimer
Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieve workforce diversity (in terms of minority groups, caste/ethnic groups, persons with disability etc.) and has a policy to have gender balance among staff at all levels.  Qualified female candidates and candidates particularly from disadvantaged and socially excluded groups are strongly encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with highest confidentiality.
 
Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.