Economics Advisor

Consultant

Overview

Provide economic expertise to support UNDP programmes and policy development

You have:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economics with strong emphasis on macro-economic and quantitative skills, development economics, and economic planning.
• 10 years of relevant experience in economic advisory services, especially related to SDGs and poverty reduction.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and siSwati is required.
• Substantial experience with poverty reduction strategy processes, including gender issues in developing contexts.
• Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis, including in formulation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes/projects.
• Demonstrated experience in the usage of computers and office software packages for data analysis.

Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.

Background

The new Country Programme Document (CPD)2021-2025 is informed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), 2021-2025. The UN in the country initiated the UNSDF with a comprehensive Common Country Assessment (CCA) which provided the necessary evidence for guiding the UN support to sustain progress on SDGs. The UNSDCF is fully aligned to the National Development Plan (2019/20-2021/22) and the Strategic Road Map (2019-2022) of the country, which prioritizes sustainable economic growth and inclusive governance to ensure that economic opportunities reach those furthest behind. The new country programme will invest in the priority areas of poverty reduction, climate change and efficient governance and is expected to contribute to the following mutually interrelated and complementary pillars: a) Sustainable Inclusive Economic Growth; and b) Efficient and Participatory Governance. In relation to the integrator role, UNDP delivers on this mandate through providing thought leadership in integrating policy design and implementation with capacity development of front-line institutions, in partnership with national and United Nations partners.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative, the Economics Advisor is responsible for research, development and application of economic theories and principles to the formulation of strategies and plans for solutions to economic challenges, especially as they relate to the Sustainable Development Goals and development issues in Eswatini . The Economics Advisor will analyze economic and social trends and provides policy advisory services on development issues and policies as well as enhance the policy impact of UNDP interventions in Eswatini.

Duties and Responsibilities

Description of Responsibilities:

Provides high quality economic input to UNDP programmes and ensures programmes are in line with national policies and priorities focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Thorough compilation, analysis and interpretation of economic and statistical data relevant to country’s development assets, opportunities and constraints, and preparation of top quality relevant socio-economic briefs/reports.
• Development, delivery and mainstreaming into national development frameworks of specific policy instruments and services, notably National Development Plans and Strategies (NDPs), NHDRs and National SDGRs.
• Identification of areas for UNDP support and interventions. Reviews and disseminates best practices and lessons learnt from implementation of projects and programmes with a view to strengthening upstream engagement within UNDP.
• Provides high-quality policy advice to RR in policy dialogues with host governments, UN System and other strategic partners on economic issues, most notably in relation to inclusive growth, inequalities and achievement of the SDGs, with the Government, donors, civil society, and the private sector.
• Advocacy for Agenda 2030 (SDGs), human development and equitable economic growth by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings.
• Monitoring of 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.

A) Human Development Report:

• Lead and coordinate the HDR launch and outreach in Eswatini at various forums.
• Coordinate the process of preparing for the Eswatini National Human Development Report.

B) Sustainable Development Agenda:

• SDG Financing -Development Finance Assessment: coordinate the Mapping and analysis of financing for development flows in Eswatini context - to build a more integrated approach to financing in support of financing SDG-aligned national development Strategy.
• Deliver orientation, advocacy, policy dialogues to strengthen national engagement and leadership in the process.
• National Development Strategy -NDS: Support Review of the NDS and formulation of the successor Strategy.

C) Covid-19 implications and Build Back Better Agenda:

• Support COVID-19 Recovery Needs’ Assessment (CRNA) process- Lead the production of socioeconomic Assessment.

D) Strategic positioning:

• Provide policy briefs, analytical papers, review of papers are requested in the CO.
• Provide necessary analysis and contribution for regional initiatives as per requested.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrate commitment to UNDP's mission, vision and values.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to help mobilise resources for countries or organise roundtables and proven capacity to develop policy and impactful programme strategic interventions.
• Demonstrable leadership skills, capacity development and mentorship.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economics, with strong emphasis on macro-economic and other quantitative skills, development economics, and economic planning.

Experience:

• 10 years of relevant experience.
• Substantial experience with poverty reduction strategy processes, including inequalities and gender issues in developing country contexts and awareness of SDG related policy matters and knowledge of policy options for domestic resource mobilization.
• Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis, including in formulation, monitoring and evaluation of strategies and development programmes/projects.
• 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.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and siSwati.

Application Procedure:

Interested individuals must submit the following documents /information to demonstrate their qualification, experience and suitability to undertake the assignment. All supporting documents (ad) must be part of the detailed CV and uploaded as one document.

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP; OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP
2. Personal CV or P11, indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references; Link for the P11 form: https://un.org.sz/p11/P11.docx
3. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment; and a methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment
4. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

Incomplete proposals may not be considered. The short-listed candidates may be contacted, and the successful candidate will be notified. All applications must be made on-line.

Note: Please note you can upload only one document to this application (scan all documents in one single PDF file to attach).

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Potential interview questions

Added 5 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.undp.org