This position is open to Malaysian Nationals Only.
BACKGROUND
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:ย we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a โleave no one behindโ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The Asia-Pacific region is not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On current trends, none of the goals are within reach and merely 33% of the targets are expected to be achieved by 2030. Meanwhile, human insecurity is at all-time highs, with more than half of people in most countries worried about their jobs. Looking ahead, the development landscape is likely to become more turbulent as existential threats from climate change combine with fresh headwinds to growth and job creation amidst rising governance risks.ย
It is against this backdropโa large unfinished agenda, elevated levels of insecurity, and a more turbulent development landscapeโthat UNDP supports countries to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda and beyond. As the UNโs global development network, UNDP advocates for change, and connects 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.ย
The Economist Network of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP) is one of the regionโs most valuable initiatives to enhance policy support and capacity. The Network has gained additional relevance in light of the significantly more challenging context described above. In this respect, 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.
In the programme countries, UNDP supports stabilization, state-building, governance and development priorities in in partnership with the host governments, the United Nations system, the development partners and other partners to help the country to achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shock.ย
UNDP 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.ย
In addition, UNDP works closely with the Government of Malaysia in providing thought leadership through support in formulation of policy options. This includes receiving high level policy requests on support for the 13th Malaysia Plan and undertaking structural economic policy analyses to achieve Malaysiaโs aim of being a high income and sustainable nation by 2030.
DUTIES AND RESPONSABILITIES
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. S/he 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.ย 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.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 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), based in Bangkok, New York, and other locations. 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:
Advise UNDP Country Office management and programme teams to strengthen programme development and implementation. Provide technical expertise to national government counterparts and other partners, especially in support of the 2030 Agenda and the introduction of sustainable and inclusive economic policies. Advocate and engage with partners to support UNDPโs institutional positioning and advance its mandate, when directed by the Resident Representative. 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.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.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: The Country Economist will be responsible for the supervision, performance management and development of the Development Economist, Economic Analyst, Project Coordinator and relevant project-funded personnel. This role will be responsible for supervising staff/personnel including the consultants; and therefore, requires demonstration of UNDP People Management competencies
COMPETENCIES
People Managementย
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicatedย site.ย
CROSS-FUNCTIONAL & TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
Business Direction & Strategyย ย ย
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 systemBusiness Development
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.Business Management
Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize 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 Communication: Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channelsDigital
Data Literacy:ย Understand the potential as well as the limitations of using data driven innovation. Ability to use a mix of data sources (quantitative, qualitative or real-time techniques) to develop understanding, identify patterns to inform decision making or identify opportunities for further exploration Co-creation:ย Ability to design and facilitate a process that enables a diverse group of stakeholders to solve a common problem, develop a practice, or create knowledge together. Ability to embrace diversity, work with a diverse group of stakeholders, understand their interests, perspectives and views and tap into them as a source for creativity. Ability to facilitate processes and create conditions that are open for diverse inputs, stimulate collaboration and sharing.Programme and policy
SDG Integration:ย Microeconomic Models/ Analysis. Macroeconomic Models/ Analysis. Economic Forecasting. Integrated PolicyREQUIRED 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 degreeย A Ph.D. in Economics will be an advantage.Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:
Minimum of 7 years (with Masterโs Degree) or 9 years (with Bachelorโs Degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level that includes extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis, and some experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.ย Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis is required.ย Proven policy, advisory, and advocacy 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 Requirements:
Fluency in oral and written English and national language of the duty station (Bahasa Melayu) is required.ย Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Disclaimer:
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.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
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.
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.
ย