Background

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in over 170 countries and territories. Combining local presence with global expertise, it aspires to eradicate poverty, accelerate structural transformation, build resilience, and contribute to lasting sustainable development. 

In addition, UNDP now has the mandate to support SDG Integration to ensure faster progress on sustainable development and offers support in four areas, (1) integrated policy and programming solutions, (2) SDG metrics, data and analysis using state-of-the-art tools for modelling and forecasting, (3) knowledge and innovation and (4) SDG Financing options to help countries identify innovative ways to expand public and private contributions to reach the 2030 agenda. Lastly, the COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted an urgent need to adopt a Systems Approach that is orientated towards building Resilience to future shocks through continuously reviewed scenario analyses. 

UNDP is a long-term development partner of the Maldives for 60 years. In the Upper Middle-Income Country context, UNDP country office in the Maldives provides technical assistance, policy and technical advisory services to the Government of Maldives in their efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); in partnership with development partners, financial institutions, private sector and civil society. In Maldives, UNDP’s programme priorities and partnerships are defined and operationalized through the Country Programme between Government of Maldives and UNDP support and contribute to the development priorities and results envisioned in the 5-year Strategic Action Plan and 20-year National Development Plan.  

The Economist works under the direct guidance of the Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative in close collaboration with the programme and operations teams, accelerator lab and Economist Network in the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific. S/he is a member of the Economist Network and is expected to support the activities across the Network. 

The Economist integrates his/her services into the country programme UNDP delivers in the Maldives and ensures these contribute the greatest development impact possible. S/he makes a difference by being keenly aware of the changing development and political landscape, embedding a sharp strategic focus on the development interventions that matter the most, and connecting diagnostics and solutions to the politics of change and the art of delivery. 

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. In this respect, the Economist develops and maintains a professional network across development partner agencies, government institutions, academia, the private sector and civil society at the country level.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead policy and technical advisory services to the UNDP country office management and programme team to strengthen programme development and implementation:

• Advise UNDP country office management with preparation and implementation of country programmes and strategies, including the development of country programme document, project documents and related analyses;
• Advise and support UNDP country office teams to develop and manage relevant thematic portfolios, such as activities to support inclusive and sustainable growth, and integrated development solutions towards the SDGs;
• Lead UNDP country office efforts to conceptualize and implement the Development Finance Assessment (DFA) and accompanying process and use existing financial resources more effectively and efficiently to achieve the SDGs;
• Provide analysis and research in priority thematic areas at the country level, including publication of policy briefs, knowledge products or other analytical outputs;
• Support the preparation of policy briefs, background notes, speeches, talking points, presentation materials, etc. on critical development issues within the SDG framework for senior management at the country level;
• Lead the development of National Human Development Report (HDR) and ensure that it provides added value in terms of development economic analysis, updated data and information for policy formulation and programming design;   
• Compile data and perform statistical analysis as required in support of country strategies and activities;
• Collaborate across UNDP teams, especially to ensure linkages to the work emerging from the network of acceleration labs;
• Advise and support the creation of large-scale development solutions to help address complex development challenges;
• Lead the expansion of country office service offers on financing for development, including innovative and blended financing models and country specific/sector specific studies. 

2. Lead policy advice to national government counterparts and other partners, especially in support of the 2030 Agenda and the introduction of sustainable and inclusive economic policies:

• Advise and facilitate dialogue on sustainable development issues with government officials, development partners, civil society, and the private sector;
• Provide policy and programming advice and support for development planning, policy formulation and programming opportunities at the national, sub-national and local levels;
• Support the identification and analysis of interventions that can impact multiple development goals and targets at the same time; 
• Advise and support monitoring and reporting of progress related to SDGs and other national development frameworks, including to help strengthen national and local level data collection and statistical capacity;
• Advise and support to leverage UNDP’s regional and global programmes, to provide holistic and effective support to the country;  
• Leverage support and expertise from the UNDP’s global/regional Economist networks to assist in strengthening UNDP’s support on economic analysis and policy development to Government and the UN Country Team.  

3. Representation, advocacy, and partner engagement to support UNDP’s institutional positioning and advance its mandate:

• Contribute, in close collaboration with senior management, to the development and/or strengthening of partnerships with UN agencies, IFIs, bilateral development agencies, private sector entities, and civil society;
• When delegated, represent UNDP country office in relevant forums, conferences or workshops, including to present research or programmatic results;
• Support the Resident Representative in resource mobilization and future growth strategies and contribute to the design of large-scale programme and development solutions;
• Contribute to national, regional, and global knowledge networks and communities of practice.

4. Promote awareness and facilitate UNDP’s 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, through attending regional meetings (in-person and/or virtual), sharing relevant experiences, and conducting peer reviews;
• Collaborate and contribute to regional publications, practice notes, and Regional Human Development Reports;
• 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;
• Stay informed about broader development, contribute to cross-portfolio initiatives, and support economist network though common analyses, frameworks and templates.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:  

• Public Finance Policy Analyst (NPSA)
• Sustainable and Blended Finance Analyst (NPSA)
• Public Financial Management Analyst (NPSA)
• Project Assistant (NPSA)

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management:

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Management    

• Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity. Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.
• Partnership Management: Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies 

Business Direction & Strategy    

• Entrepreneurial Thinking: Identify and seize opportunities to service and add value to clients, create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners, develop clear service offers responding to client needs in line with UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate.
• Systems Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system 

Business Development    

• Human-Centered Design: Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process Knowledge and understanding of human centred design principles and practices 
• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. 

2030 Agenda: Partnerships 

• SDG Finance: Enabling Environment and INFFs;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics is required; or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Economics in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 
• A Ph.D. in Economics will be an advantage.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

• Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience at the national or international level in relevant areas of economic research and policy and implementation support is required. 
• Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis is required. 
• Proven policy, advisory, and advocacy experience is required. 
• Experience in preparing high-quality policy briefs and guidance notes for use by senior policymakers is required.
• Experience in strategic visioning with strong technical and highly developed analytical capabilities is desired.
• Knowledge of the SDGs and their application at the national level, politically astute with demonstrated experience in stakeholder analysis and engagement is an asset.
• Experience in handling data and software programmes for statistical analysis is desired. 
• Previous work experience in the Maldives, Asia and the Pacific region and cross-country experience would be an asset.
• Fluency in English and Dhivehi are required. 

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.