UNDP Jobs

The wave of public protests against the incumbent regime in Yemen during 2011 culminated in the signing of an agreement on transfer of power brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and facilitated by the United Nations. In accordance with the transition agreement, a Government of National Unity was sworn in on 10 December 2011 and the presidential election took place on 21 February 2012. The transition agreement puts the entire responsibility for implementation of the transition agreement on the Government. The agreement calls on the United Nations Secretary General, in cooperation with other agencies, to provide on-going assistance for the implementation of the agreement and to coordinate the assistance from the international community to implement the initiative and its mechanism.

The transition agreement identified a number of priority tasks and related benchmarks varying from the national dialogue and constitutional reform to socio-economic reforms, transitional justice, reform of the electoral system and parliamentary elections. Whereas the government as a whole will play an indispensable role in the transition process, with different government agencies contributing to various stages of the transition, the following core institutions (CI) stand out 1) the Presidency’s Office (PO); 2) Prime Minister’s Office (PMO),3) the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC), 4) the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and 5) the recently established National Committee for National Dialogue, as well as Ministry of Human Rights and Ministry of Industry and Trade. These institutions are particularly important for designing and maintaining a strategic focus on the transition by all national and international actors as well as for coordination of the delivery of basic services and immediate rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Therefore, UNDP in cooperation with other development partners and the Government of Yemen (GoY) set up an Emergency Capacity Development Facility (ECDF) to provide to the national leadership for the transition with immediate and catalytic support from a multi-partners perspective. The 2-year project aims at reinforcing the leadership capacities of the Core Institutions (CI) to successfully orient, lead and coordinate the achievement of key benchmarks stated in the GCC agenda as well in as the Government¡¦s Transitional Plan. The project is composed of four interrelated modules: 1. Organizational leadership. 2. Aid coordination and partnership. 3. Socioeconomic reforms. 4. National dialogue process.

In this context, ECDF facilitated the establishment and staffing of a Transition Policy Unit (TPU) in the Prime Minister Office. At the request of the Prime Minister, the Unit will led by Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, ex-prime Minister of Malaysia, with the title of Chief Economic Advisor & Visionary (CEAV) for the Yemen Prime Minister. Within this support effort, UNDP Yemen looks to hire a Senior Economist to advise on “Establishing and implementing an initial programme of economic stabilization and development and addressing the immediate needs of the population in all regions of Yemen” as foreseen in the “Agreement on the implementation mechanism for the transition in Yemen pursuant the GCC agreement”.

Under the guidance of the CEAV and the direct supervision of the ECDF Chief Technical Advisor, the Senior Economist will be based in the Prime Minister Office and work in tandem with the Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Finance and other Government Counterparts, UNDP, donors and other international and national partners to successfully promote the design and implementation of policies and measures aiming at economic stabilization and development.

Summary of key functions:

• Advise the Prime Minister and other Ministers, as well as Government senior management on establishing and implementing an initial programme of economic stabilization and development and addressing the immediate needs of the population in all regions of Yemen, including both strategy and operations;
• Promote the use of high quality analysis and of evidence-based policy making throughout the Government of Yemen, not only in economics, but in private sector development, governance, conflict and social development;
• Manage partnerships and external relations; ensure the creation and functioning of regional and international networks of transitional advisors/consultants that can be made available on demand basis to assist with specialized expertise;
• Contribute to the reporting and implementing requirements of the ECDF.

High level advice. Under the guidance of the CEAV, the Senior Economist will:

• Advise the Prime Minister, and other Ministers, as well as Government senior management on establishing and implementing an initial programme of economic stabilization and development and addressing the immediate needs of the population in all regions of Yemen; including both strategy and operations;
• Provide advice and support to the Prime Minister Office on major socioeconomic development issues and support the Government in preparing background documents for major international conferences and events as requested;
• Provide policy advice on emerging issues through policy briefs and organizing policy symposia.
  

Knowledge Building and Sharing. The Senior Economist will:

• Promote the use of high quality analysis and of evidence-based policy making throughout the Government of Yemen, not only in economics, but in private sector development, governance, conflict and social development;
• Ensure the creation and functioning of regional and international networks of transitional advisors/consultants that can be made available on demand basis to assist with specialized expertise;
• Prepare proposals for mobilization of human, technical or financial resources from international development organizations, non-government organizations and the private sector;
• Support the project in the identification of knowledge gaps among Government staff, target groups and beneficiaries and design measures to address such gaps; actively support the sharing of project results and products, lessons learned and good practices with other projects, government agencies, donors, etc.; and participate in UNDP global knowledge networks;
• Contribute to the establishment of user friendly knowledge sharing platform in English and Arabic on elsewhere experience on transitional governance.

Partnerships and external relations. The Senior Economist will:

• Contribute to the establishment of and to provide substantive support to the work of the Economic Advisory Council;
• Manage partnerships and external relationships;
• Serve as an advocate for UN core values and UNDP’s policies on democratic governance in the dialogue with Prime Minister Office and the other Core Institutions and facilitate the practical implementation of this dialogue through the project activities;
• Build and maintain relationships between the Prime Minister Office, Decision makers in government and other stakeholders and ensures the Prime Minister Office engages in a sustained policy dialogue with national counterparts and development partners;
• Develop informal networks and relationships of trust with policy units in the respective ministries and government agencies, the local research community working on socio-economic issues;
• Develop and maintains partnerships with internationally renowned academic institutions and think tanks.
  

Project implementation. The Senior Economist will:

• Finalize a consolidates Results Resources Framework (RRF) and detailed annual work plans for the Prime Minister Office module;
• Provide technical direction to and build capacity of international and national technical staff with regard to their work in the Prime Minister Office;
• Support UNDP efforts of resources mobilization, including planning and costing project inputs; briefing donors, and preparing donor progress reports as required by UNDP reporting rules and as requested by specific donors;
• Draft regular activity reports, as well as other documents as requested by the CTA.

• Strategic vision: high level understanding of global economic trends and the opportunities and challenges they present for sustainable human development;
• Leadership: proven intellectual leadership in economic development and a demonstrated understanding of transitional processes;
• Rigorous analytics: ability to, undertake, oversee and guide research and analyze economic development issues;
• Communication: clear and convincing communicator of ideas in writing and in person, and ability to defend and explain difficult and complex issues with respect to key decisions and positions;
• Sound management: the ability to develop the potential of individuals and teams through inspired, fair and respectful management;
• Integrity: Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards;
• Ability to work in a team, also across the UN agencies;
• Expert knowledge of leadership issues in post-conflict and transitional societies;
• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills;
• Effectively builds and maintains strategic networks and partnerships;
• Knowledgeable on culture context in Yemen.

Education: 

• Master degree or equivalent in Economics or related relevant field; PhD in Economics or related field (desirable).

Experience: 

• A minimum of ten (10) years of substantial experience of applying economics in a development context,  at both national and international levels in advisory, managerial and technical positions;
• Knowledge and experience from working with countries in transition. Previous work experience in the Arab Region is an asset;
• A track record of effective interaction, influencing and collaboration with senior stakeholders in government, the private sector or academia;
• Ability to communicate economic ideas, orally and in writing, to a wide and varied audience.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in both Arabic and English.