DEVELOPMENT COORDINATION OFFICER, ECONOMIST

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 131,270 USD and 169,245 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting The UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator - the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at country level - support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs.

The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Dakar, Senegal and reports to the Senior Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the incumbent will perform the following functions/duties:

1. PLANS, FACILITATES AND CONSOLIDATES EVIDENCE-BASED ANALYSIS OF THE STATUS OF THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS), PROVIDING SUBSTANTIVE ADVICE TO THE RC AND UNCT, PARTICULARLY ON ELEMENTS PERTAINING TO THE ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION AGENDA (INCLUDING GREEN AND JUST TRANSITION, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND THE FUTURE OF WORK) AND SDG FINANCING:

• Researches, analyzes, consolidates, and presents information and data on emerging best practices in economic transformation for sustainable development, including green and just transition, digital transformation and the future of work, among others; paying special attention to gender and leave no one behind (LNOB) principles.
• Provides advice on global/corporate guidelines, tools and other materials related to economic transformation and SDG financing.
• Works with UNCT counterparts to create common, convergent and coherent key advocacy topics related to sustainable economic transformation and SDG financing, helping identify and analyze entry points for catalytic and consolidated UN policy support options, to enable the transition to more efficient, low-carbon and resilient production and consumption patterns, maximizing social, environmental and economic outcomes that impact the implementation of multiple SDGs and their targets, with proposed ‘accelerator interventions' that can help unlock and accelerate progress towards sustainable development.
• Collects and analyzes data on UN country level operations in support of the implementation of the economic transformation agenda and SDG financing, identifies gaps and proposes follow-up actions.
• Working in close collaboration with the UNCT, researches, develops and presents policy papers, guidance notes and other knowledge based-tools, and supports discussion in country-level forums to help influence and advance policy dialogue and advocate to reframe economic policies and practices around economic transformation to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.
• Coordinates the preparation of UN flagship reports on economic transformation and SDG financing, including the analysis of data and the provision of evidence to build the case for policies and interventions on SDGs.
• Monitors regional and global economic trends and issues, analyzes their implications for the realization of the SDGs at the country level and recommends additional issues for consideration.
• Conducts and consolidates analytical work to strengthen the understanding of the catalytic role of the private sector in the context of green economic transformation and SDG financing; identifying opportunities to create strong partnerships with the private sector as a key stakeholder in the context of economic transformation and green growth.
• Analyzes trends and provides advice and support on new and innovative mechanisms for SDG financing, including on global initiatives by the UN and other development institutions.
• Provides inputs for briefing papers and discussion/talking points on issues related to SDG financing for consideration by the RC/ the UNCT.
• Supports UNCT initiatives to advance SDG financing, including in the context of an Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFF) and Voluntary National Reviews. Coordinates the SDG Taskforce within the UNCT to ensure all technical expertise of the UNCT are employed to support the Government.
• Provides economic analysis and advice as inputs into the cross-pillar (humanitarian-development-peace) nexus approaches in country.

2. ADVOCATES AND RC’S AND UNCT’S, ADVOCACY EFFORTS FOR THE CREATION OF STRONG PARTNERHIPS WITH THE UN SYSTEM, WITH NATIONAL COUNTERPARTS IN GOVERNMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT PARTNERS, INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (IFIS) ), TO SUPPORT THE REFRAMING OF ECONOMIC POLICIES AND PRACTICES AROUND ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION AND SDG FINANCING:

• Fosters peer-exchanges and opens a consistent channel of communication and strong partnerships with economists within the UN System to create and consolidate common, convergent and coherent advocacy opportunities on topics related to economic transformation and SDG financing.
• Working in close collaboration with the RCO Partnerships Officer, ensures effective engagement of all relevant counterparts to develop collaboration and partnerships around economic transformation and SDG financing, for example with national planning or economic offices, IFIs, the private sector, etc.
• Stays abreast and follows latest developments in analytical work, policy, financial and capacity development support provided by other relevant development partners (including IFIs, bilateral and multilateral partners, academia, the private sector, and others) on topics related to economic transformation and SDG financing and identifies opportunities for collaboration.
• Engages with the private sector to strengthen understanding of its potential contribution to the green economic transformation agenda, and to identify private and/or public-private catalytic SDG financing opportunities for the achievement of the SDGs.

3. COORDINATES THE DEVELOPMENT BY THE UNCT OF A NEW GENERATION OF AN INTEGRATED SDG PROGRAMMING CYCLE (INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROADMAPS, CCA, UNSDCF, UN JOINT PROGRAMMES AS WELL AS ANNUAL REPORTS AND OTHERS) THAT ADVANCES THE ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION AGENDA AND OUTLINES A CLEAR APPROACH TO SDG FINANCING IN PROGRAMME COUNTRIES:

• Supports the RC/UNCT in ensuring a strong macroeconomic and SDG financing analysis through an integrated lens in the preparation of the Common Country Analyses and other analytical exercises.
• Identifies issues and proposes recommendations for the UNCT on how UN country-level programming around economic transformation and integrated policy responses can be optimized and better respond to sustainable development needs and emerging trends in country.
• Guides the development and implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks, ensuring a strong and integrated UNCT engagement on the economic transformation and SDG financing agendas in the country.
• Contributes to the UN joint programming to strengthen the formulation of a new generation of UN joint programmes on economic transformation and SDG financing (including those that are supported by the Joint SDG Fund) ensuring that they are oriented towards investment, and have impact at the national level.
• Assists UNCT Results Groups in the implementation of joint workplans to ensure SDG-relevant and SDG-responsive UN operational activities for development.
• Proposes recommendations to enhance UN support to governmental and multi-stakeholder processes on policy development and capacity development around the economic transformation and SDG financing agendas.

4. PLANS AND DIRECTS KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AROUND THE ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION AND SDG FINANCING AGENDAS, IN SUPPORT OF A SHARED UNDERSTANDING BY THE UNCT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TRENDS, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN PROGRAMME COUNTRIES:

• Promotes collaboration, peer support, innovation, good practices, lessons learned, needs, and opportunities through active participation to local, regional and global communities of practice and knowledge networks within the Resident Coordinator System, across the UN (including the UN Economist Network) and beyond.
• Researches, analyzes and presents best practices and lessons learned from implementation of UN policy initiatives and programming around economic transformation, with a view to advising the RC and UNCT on actions to strengthen the policy orientation of the UN.
• Monitors and analyzes good practices and successful models for SDG financing implemented by the UN in country and elsewhere, and suggests options for developing these into bankable national SDG investment policies and programmes.
• Keeps abreast of emerging innovative approaches in the area of economic transformation and SDG financing, and proposes new ways of working, where relevant.
• Reflects on processes of his/ her work area at key milestones, and generates knowledge valuable to others in the RC system/ UN Country Teams.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

  Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic resources on the internet, intranet and other databases. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in economics or public finance is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Work Experience A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in macroeconomic policy, economic research and analysis in the context of development cooperation or related area is required.

Experience in the West Africa region and in the development of Cooperation Frameworks post-reform is desirable.

A minimum of two (2) years experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in in English or French is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

"Fluency" equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "knowledge of" equals a rating of "Confident" in two of the four areas.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice This position is temporarily available until 3 August 2023. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.