Country Economist [Open to internal and external applicants]

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Organizational Context

UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of  India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all. 

With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet. 

UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios:  

• Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs.
• Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized.
• Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability.

South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture.

Office/Unit/Project Description

The Policy Unit leads UNDP India’s research and advocacy on Global Goals and the national development agenda, with a special focus on environment and climate change, skill development, inclusive growth and strengthening systems for SDG localization.

The Economist Network of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP) is one of the region’s most valuable initiatives to enhance policy support and capacity. The Country Economist plays an important role at the country but also regional and global levels in contributing to renewed development momentum in an era of turbulence and uncertainty.

Main Purpose:

The Country Economist works under the direct guidance of the Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative in the Country Office India, in close collaboration with programme and operations teams, and has a dotted line to the RBAP Chief Economist. 

The Country Economist integrates the activities UNDP delivers in the region and ensures these contribute the greatest development impact possible.  S/he makes a difference by being keenly aware of the changing development 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. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

In this respect, the Country Economist works closely with colleagues of RBAP as well as the Global Policy Network (GPN). S/he develops and maintains a professional network across development partner agencies, government institutions, the private sector, and civil society at the country level.

Summary of key functions:

• Policy support and strategic positioning at the country level particularly in preparation for the country office analysis for CPD and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
• Development of at least four thematic briefs aligned with the new strategic plan.
• Advise and provide analysis to UNDP Country Office management and programme teams to strengthen foresight analytics, systems thinking and portfolio design. 
• Provide technical expertise and global best practice to national and sub-national government counterparts and other partners, especially in support of the 2030 Agenda and (sub-) national development priorities, with regard to sustainable and inclusive economic policies.
• Advocate and engage with partners to support UNDP’s role and advance its mandate, when directed by the Resident Representative.
• Contribute to UNDP’s work across the Asia-Pacific region, including collaboration with RBAP’s Economist Network, sub-regional and other Country Offices, and analytical work on priority regional thematic areas.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1- Advise and provide analysis to UNDP Country Office management and programme teams to strengthen foresight and portfolio design

• Provide analysis to UNDP Country Office management with the preparation and implementation of country programmes and strategies, including the development of country programme document (CPD) and related analyses.
• Advise and support UNDP Country Office teams to develop and manage relevant thematic portfolios, such as activities to support inclusive growth and progress towards the SDGs and (sub-) national development priorities.
• 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, research and foresight in priority thematic areas at the country level, including publication of policy briefs (and state briefs) or other analytical outputs.
• Provide analysis of economic, social and political developments at national and sub-national level.
• 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 and regional levels.
• Lead the development of the National Human Development Report (HDR) at national and sub-national level and ensure that it provides added value in terms of development economic analysis, updated data, and information for policy formulation; Compile data and perform statistical analysis as required to support innovative knowledge work country strategies and activities.
• Collaborate across UNDP teams, especially to ensure linkages to the work emerging from the network of acceleration labs.
• Advise on systems thinking and support the creation of large-scale development solutions to help address complex development challenges.
• Support expansion of Country Office service offers on financing for development, including innovative financing models and country specific/sector specific studies.

2- Provide policy advice and technical expertise to (sub-) national government counterparts and other partners, especially in support of the 2030 Agenda and (sub-) national development priorities, with regard to sustainable and inclusive economic policies; 

• Advise and facilitate dialogue on sustainable development issues with government officials, development partners, civil society, and the private sector, providing and sharing global experience and policy
• Provide the best global practice, policy and programming advice and support for development planning and policy formulation at the national, sub-national, and local levels, including on data for development, systems thinking and foresight exercises. Advise and 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.
• Guide 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 strengthen UNDP’s support on economic analysis and policy development for the Government and the UN Country Team.

3- Advocate and engage with partners, including to support UNDP’s role and advance its mandate, when directed by the Resident Representative and facilitate knowledge sharing 

• 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 the UNDP Country Office in relevant forums, conferences, or workshops, including presenting research or programmatic results.
• Facilitate 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- Contribute to UNDP’s work across the Asia-Pacific region, including collaboration with RBAP’s Economist Network, sub-regional and other Country Offices, and analytical work on priority regional thematic areas.

• 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, development strategies, economic governance, political economy).
• Participate actively in the Economist Network of RBAP by attending regional meetings (in-person and/or virtual), sharing relevant experiences, and conducting peer reviews.
• Collaborate and contribute to regional and sub-regional publications, practice notes, and Regional Human Development Reports.
• Stay informed about broader developments, contribute to cross-border and cross-GPN initiatives, and support the economist network through common analyses, frameworks, and templates.
• Enhance UNDP’s understanding and design of new approaches to sustainable development across the region by acting as a regional thematic lead where possible. 

 

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

Institutional Arrangements

Reporting To: Resident Representative

Reporting to this position:  Policy and Economics Officer NPSA 9 

 

Competencies

Core
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

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
2030 Agenda:  Prosperity	Inclusive Growth	Economic Transformation
2030 Agenda:  Prosperity	Inclusive Growth	Economic Diversification
2030 Agenda:  Prosperity	Inclusive Growth	Multidimensional poverty and human development
2030 Agenda:  Prosperity	Inclusive Growth	SDGs/National Development Strategy, Planning and Budgeting
Business Direction & Strategy	System 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 Management	Partnerships 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 Development	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

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics or related field is required, Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Economics or related field 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:

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.

Required Skills:

• 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.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience in strategic visioning with strong technical and highly developed analytical capabilities is desired.
• Demonstrated experience and 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 Asia and the Pacific region and cross-country experience would be an asset.
• Experience in supporting resource mobilization is desired. 
• Experience in strengthening partnerships with UN agencies, IFIs, bilateral development agencies, private sector entities, and civil society is an advantage.

Required Language:

• Fluency in oral and written English is 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. 

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.

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