Org. Setting and Reporting

Under the overall management of the ASG for Development Coordination through the DCO Surge Manager, and under the guidance of the Regional Director and Director of PPB, the Development Coordination Officer will provide Resident Coordination Offices (RCO) management expertise, strategic and operational guidance and support to enable effective inter-agency collaboration, programming and coordination to deliver on development results in crisis contexts, in support of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The Development Coordination Officer will be a global Resident Coordinator System (RCS) roving capacity pre-positioned at the regional level for rapid deployment to RCOs and UN Country Teams in the event of a significant development. The incumbent will support RCOs with political economy analysis and economic impact assessment of the crisis in contexts experiencing a rapid chance in the development landscape. The Development Coordination Officer will partner hand in hand with the RCO Economist in the duty station of deployment and will work in close collaboration with the Regional Director, Resident Coordinator and UNCT members, programme and operations teams of the agencies and UNDCO staff. During the deployment will support the RC and RCO Economist engagement with government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to unpack the economics of the crisis and develop scenario planning and to advice and to jointly advice on stabilization options and financing opportunities. The Development Coordination Officer is expected to undertake frequent deployments to RCOs (up to three months each time) and travel within short notice (up to 5 days) to provide surge capacity support to priority crisis-affected RCOs in a specific region or globally, as required.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Development Coordination Officer /Economist will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Plans, facilitates, and consolidates evidence-based political economy analysis and rapid crisis economic impact assessment, understanding the implications of changes in inflation, exchange rate, fiscal space, debt sustainability, trade disruptions, and external financing conditions and quantifying how the crisis affects vulnerable groups, sectors, and regions (e.g., employment, smallholder farmers, SMEs, women, displaced populations), and ultimately how these will result in set backs in SDG implementation. • Use foresight tools to develop best-, medium-, and worst-case projections to help the RC and government plan under uncertainty. • Working in close collaboration with RCO Economist and UNCT members, 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 in response to the crisis and to build resilience • Coordinates the preparation of UN flagship reports, including the analysis of data and the provision of evidence to build the case for policies and interventions to advance multiple SDGs at a time of crisis; • Conducts and consolidates analytical work to strengthen the understanding of the catalytic role of SDG Financing pathways, exploring how crisis recovery plans can be tied to SDG acceleration (health, jobs, climate resilience).; identifying opportunities to align key SDG Financing stakeholders around recovery plans and SDG acceleration. • Analyzes trends and provides advice and support on new and innovative mechanisms to leverage SDG financing linking emergency to resilience and identify measures that stabilize in the short term and build resilience in the medium to long term (e.g., social protection systems, green investments, trade facilitation). • Advise on potential access to IFI support (IMF, WB, regional banks), reallocation of domestic resources, or innovative financing mechanisms.• Coordinates with the RCO Economist the provision of inputs for briefing papers and discussion/talking points on issues related to SDG financing, plugging in specific political economy and economic impact of crisis elements, for consideration by the RC/ the UNCT. • Provides economic analysis and advice as inputs into the cross-pillar (humanitarian-development-peace) nexus approaches in the country. 2. Provide evidence-based advice to RCs and UNCTs in advocacy efforts with national counterparts in government and other relevant partners, including International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and Development Partners, to support the urgent reframing of fiscal and monetary measures, policies, and practices in response to the crisis (e.g., subsidies, social protection, debt reprofiling, etc). • Clarify costs/benefits of short-term measures versus long-term sustainability (e.g., food subsidies vs. targeted cash transfers) • Fosters peer-exchanges and supports the RCO Economist in the coordination of the UN Economists Group at the country level to create and consolidate common, convergent, analytical, and coherent advocacy opportunities on topics related to the economic impacts of the crisis on vulnerable groups, sectors, and regions and implications for long-term development prospects. • Working in close collaboration with the RCO Partnerships Officer, ensures effective engagement of all relevant counterparts to develop collaboration and partnerships around crisis response and SDG acceleration, economic transformation, and SDG financing. 3. Support 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) mainstreaming elements about the economic impact of crisis in long-term development efforts by quickly mapping existing relevant data (food prices, household surveys, fiscal data, remittances, fuel costs) and setting up crisis dashboards to track impacts and inform UN programming at country level. Push for gender and distributional analysis so that crisis responses do not exacerbate inequalities • Support the RCO Economist in identifying issues and proposing recommendations for the UNCT on how UN country-level programming around SDG acceleration, economic transformation, and integrated policy responses can be optimized and better respond to sustainable development needs and emerging trends in the country. • 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 for crisis response that enables SDG acceleration. 4. Contribute to knowledge management efforts at the RCO by establishing a clear “before the crisis” baseline to measure disruption against, including by collecting what’s already been done by government (Ministry of Finance budget notes, Central Bank Reports, etc), IFIs (IMF Article IVs, WB briefs, others), UN Agencies (food security, livelihoods, humanitarian needs assessments, etc) and research institutes; and spot critical missing elements. • Promotes collaboration, peer support, innovation, good practices, lessons learned, needs, and opportunities through active facilitation and/or participation in local, regional, and global communities of practice and knowledge networks within the Resident Coordinator System, across the UN (including the RCO Economist Network and UN Economists Network), and beyond. • Researches, analyzes, and presents best practices and lessons learned from implementation of UN policy initiatives and programming for crisis response and SDG acceleration and 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 to leverage SDG financing implemented by the UN in the country and elsewhere, and suggests options for developing these into bankable national crisis response and SDG investment policies and programmes. • Reflects on processes of their 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.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply sustainable development and economic 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. Knowledge and ability to apply foresight methodologies. 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. • PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates an 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. • CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in economics. 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.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development policy, economic research and analysis in the context of development cooperation and political economy analysis in crisis settings or related area is required. Knowledge of development economics and relevant development experience at the national or international level is required. Ability to apply development economics theory and specific global agendas/processes to the specific country context and carry out high-quality economic development research is desirable Knowledge of the SDGs and the UN Normative agenda and their application at the national level is desirable. Demonstrated understanding of issues related to SDG financing in crisis settings is desirable. Proven experience coordinating multi-stakeholder spaces and participatory assessment processes; ability to collaborate with others, to give his/her own perspective, and to be open to diverse perspectives is desirable. Outstanding analytical and writing skills with an ability to convey complex ideas in a simple, clear, and lively style is desirable Experience using computers and office software packages, including programmes for statistical analysis of data is desirable. At least three years of experience in inter-agency and multistakeholder coordination in a crisis management context is desirable.

Languages

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available for 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Internal Applicants: When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up-to-date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Individual contractors and consultants (Non-Staff Personnel) who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link. NOTE: 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. 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.