Background
UNDP supports countries around the world to formulate strategies, policies, and programme interventions that promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To advance these aims, UNDP provides technical policy advice and programming tools, especially to help address critical sustainable development challenges.
UNDP Timor-Leste is implementing its Country Programme Document (CPD, 2021-2025) which is linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and aligned with national priorities. It is focused on four main outcome areas:
Sustainable economic opportunities and decent work for all;ย Resilience to climate chance and the sustainable management of ecosystems; andย Accessible accountable and gender-responsive governance systems, institutions, and services at national and municipal levels.ยSince Timor-Lesteโs independence in 2002, UNDP in Timor-Leste has been providing consistent support in consolidating democratic governance institutions, systems, and processes. Focus areas include oversight, accountability, local development, electoral support, and rule of law. The Country Programme Document (CPD) for UNDP in Timor-Leste (2021-2025) has 3 programmatic outcomes, one of which is in democratic governance including rule of law and access to justice, election, and local governance with a focus on building institutional capacities of various governance institutions for better service delivery, inclusive policies, and improved access to services, including justice services. ย
UNDP Timor-Leste country office works closely with government counterparts and other national stakeholders to support inclusive and sustainable development policies that are aligned with the national context, through support to policy dialogue, assistance in programme development, and production of research and analysis. The country economist will also collaborate and share experiences and practices across countries inside and outside the Asia-Pacific region.
UNDP Timor-Leste is recruiting Country Economist to help contribute to its overall programme design and implementation. The Country Economist will support the country office by providing economic analysis and policy advice to management and government counterparts on inclusive development, including the integration of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs into national plans and activities. He/She will also work closely with all programme teams and be responsible for helping develop large-scale development solutions and activities aimed at enhancing UNDPโs programmatic support. The Country Economist is expected to contribute to knowledge generation through research and analysis, represent UNDP as required in policy discussions, and work closely with the country programme teams and the regional network.ย
The Country Economist will work under the guidance of the UNDP Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative and will work closely with the programme and operations teams in the country office and the staff in the Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH) as well as Global Policy Network (GPN), based in Bangkok and New York. He/She will also collaborate with the Asia-Pacific regional network of country economists. This will include systematic engagement with and oversight from the RBAP Senior Economic Advisor. He/She is also expected to develop and maintain a network of colleagues across development partner agencies, government institutions, the private sector, and civil society.
Position Purpose
The Country Economist works under the direct guidance of the Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative in the Country Office, in close collaboration with programme and operations teams, and has a dotted line to the RBAP Chief Economist. He/ She is an ambassador of the Economist Network and is expected to contribute about 20% of her/his time to activities across the Network (in other countries, the subregion, or the region).
The Country Economist integrates the activities UNDP delivers in the region and ensures these contribute the greatest development impact possible. He /She 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.ย
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 to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration. In this respect, the Country Economist will work closely with colleagues of RBAP as well as the Global Policy Network (GPN), based in Bangkok, New York, and other locations. He/She develops and maintains a professional network across development partner agencies, government institutions, the private sector, and civil society at the country level.
Duties and Responsibilities
Advise UNDP Country Office management and programme teams to strengthen programme development and implementation;
Advise 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. 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 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 and regional levels. Lead the development of the 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. 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 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 financing models and country specific/sector specific studies. Assist the coordination among the UNCT regarding the implementation of the UNSDCF.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 and policy formulation at the national, sub-national, and local levels. 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 t to leverage UNDPโs regional and global Programmes, to provide holistic and effective support to the country. Leverage support and expertise from the UNDPโs global/regional Economist networks to strengthen UNDPโs support on economic analysis and policy development for the Government and the UN Country Team.Advocate and engage with partners to support UNDPโs institutional positioning and advance its mandate, when directed by the Resident Representative;
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.Contribute to UNDPโs work across the Asia-Pacific region, including collaboration with RBAPโs 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 UNDPโs 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
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None
Competencies
Core Competencies:Achieve Results:ย LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively:ย LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously:ย LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility:ย LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination:ย LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner:ย LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:ยBusiness Direction & Strategy-System Thinking:ย 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-Portfolio Management:ย Ability to select, prioritize and control the organizationโs programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment
Business Management-Partnerships management: Ability to 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
2030 Agenda: Prosperity-Inclusive Growth: Economic Transformation, Policy, and Planning
2030 Agenda: Prosperity-Inclusive Growth: Economic Diversification
2030 Agenda: Prosperity-Inclusive Growth:ย Poverty and Human Development
2030 Agenda: Prosperity-Inclusive Growth: SDGs/National Development Strategy, Planning and Budgeting
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (masterโs degree or equivalent) in Economics or related field is required; Or A first-level university degree (bachelorโs 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.ยExperience:
Minimumย ofย 7ย years (with masterโs degree) or 9 years (with bachelorโs degree) ofย experienceย atย theย nationalย orย internationalย level in relevant areas of economic research and policy and implementation support is required.ย Extensive experience inย researchย andย policy-levelย analysis is required.ย Experience in policy,ย advisory, and advocacyย experience is required.ย 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.ย Previous work experience in Asia and the Pacific region and cross-country experience would be an asset.Language:ย
Proficiencyย inย oral andย writtenย Englishย is required Working knowledge of Portuguese language as an asset.ย Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.ยEqual 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.ย
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.ย
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.ย 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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