UNDP Jobs - 45751- Economics Specialist, Support to Sustainable and I

Economics Specialist, Support to Sustainable and Inclusive Planning Project

Location :

Dhaka, BANGLADESH

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2014

Application Deadline :

27-Apr-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year, renewable on performance & availability of funds

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. 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.

Background

UNDP Bangladesh is supporting the government’s MDG-related efforts through its project titled ‘Support to Sustainable and Inclusive Planning (SSIP) Project’ implemented by the General Economics Division (GED), Planning Commission. The objective of this project is to strengthen policy and technical capacity, particularly in the General Economics Division (within the MoP), but also within other relevant central government agencies - the Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh Bank and the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. This is first, to design and implement pro-poor economic policies, secondly, to strengthen capacity for sustainable and inclusive planning; and thirdly, to monitor the MDGs and develop the post 2015 framework the intervention builds on and enhances the Poverty Reduction and MDG Monitoring and the Poverty, Environment and Climate Mainstreaming (PECM) projects.

It has three main components:

(1) Economic policy support;
(2) Inclusive and environmentally sustainable planning; and
(3) MDG M&E and post 2015 agenda framework. Through these efforts, the project seeks to secure more pro-poor, inclusive and environmentally sustainable development

This expert will lead the division’s overall analytical work in area of pro-poor macroeconomic policies by developing user-friendly macro-econometric models, linking macroeconomic standard models with social indicators and variables, producing various simulations and forecasts for the Planning Commission and other stakeholders, identifying the costs and benefits of various policy interventions and their trade-offs, and generating evidence on such issues as data gaps and constraints. This post will be the lead adviser for Component 1, and hence the work of the PPEPU. A majority of her / his time will be allocated to the transfer of knowledge and expertise to the officials of GED and other officials from the Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh Bank, BBS and BIDS and coordinating policy research with relevant institutions, including CSOs. She / he is also responsible for liaising with UNDESA regarding the technical dimensions of the MoU and diagnostics.

Note:

This high level appointment will run for a portion of the Project’s term only (initially 12 months, subject to extension). In that time it is envisaged skills and know-how would be transferred to the Deputy Economist (national) who would then succeed the Economics Specialist (lead economist).
The incumbent will work under the supervision and guidance of the Deputy Country Director and in close consultation with the Assistant Country Director, Poverty Cluster.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Act as lead technical adviser on economic issues, providing inputs to strategic documents and processes, as well as high level technical advice to the project and GoB partners on a variety of specific topics;
Lead capacity-building efforts on macro-economic analysis, modelling and strategy development;
Represent the unit at GoB, DP and other forums;
Manage information, knowledge and data held by the project;
Supervise the Deputy Economist and undertake knowledge transfer throughout the project.

Act as lead technical adviser on economic issues, providing inputs to strategic documents and processes, as well as high level technical advice to the project and GoB partners on a variety of specific topics:

Compilation, analysis and interpretation of economic and statistical data, thorough monitoring of trends and through research of the economic and development issues in the country;
Production of relevant reports aimed at promoting pro-poor economic policy making in GED as well as broader GoB actors;
Provision of top quality analysis and substantive inputs to GoB policy and planning instruments, including the 7th Five Year Plan, ADP, MTBF and other strategic documents;
Selection of strategic research topics, surveys and/or case studies relevant to upgrading inclusive planning and policymaking.

Lead capacity-building efforts on macro-economic analysis, modelling and strategy development:

Provide expert support and training to GED, IMED and ERD staff, specifically in building analytical capacities in growth accounting and projections; modeling (SAM, RMSM, Solow, EGT); poverty measurement; pro-poor growth analyses and investment appraisal;
Support the development of thematic knowledge on topics including social protection, labour markets, green economy, industrial policies, vulnerabilities and climate-related shocks;
Provide expert advice in the development of a ‘Challenge Fund’ to enable leading think tanks and institutions in Bangladesh and abroad to undertake need-based analytical studies on pro-poor macroeconomic management, poverty and vulnerability, and questions of green economy;
Work with the UNDESA Macroeconomic Advisory Capacity facility (MAC) in their provision of trainings, advice and support to GED, Ministry of Finance and the Bangladesh Bank;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice through identification of best practices and lessons learned.

Represent the project at GoB, DP and other forums:

Direct participation in inter-ministerial, inter-agency and cross-sector consultations related to macroeconomic policymaking, pro-poor growth and inclusive planning;
Facilitate policy advocacy for the Post-2015 Development Agenda, Human Development and pro-poor and equitable economic growth by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings.

Manage information, knowledge and data held by the project:

Ensure that knowledge and recommendations from working groups including: the Core Economic Policy Team (CEPT); Advisory Committee (Panel of Experts on Economic and Social Development issues); and the joint working party on resource planning and management, are translated into planning processes and mechanisms within GoB;
Design and conduct surveys to determine the level of knowledge gained through capacity-building events, missions and trainings;
Undertake any research as required;
Foster a community of practice (CoP) to ensure knowledge sharing and retention.

Supervise the Deputy Economist and undertake knowledge transfer throughout the project:

Work closely with the Deputy Economist (National Staff) to transfer knowledge and good practices;
Ensure at the end of the posting (12-18 months) that the Deputy Economist has all the necessary resources and is fully capable of assuming the duties of the Economics Specialist.

Impact of Results

Institutional and economic policy analysis capacity is enhanced and reflected in increased GoB capacity as well as strategic inputs / reforms to planning processes and mechanisms. Knowledge has been transferred to the deputy economist, enabling the project to achieve its full term objectives.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to UNDP Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development;
Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on economic issues;
Established track record of delivering strong analytical products with policy relevance;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to lead discussions and dialogue and advise on complex economics matters at the highest political levels;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Abililty to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of programmes;
Ability to work with minimal supervision;
Ability to lead formulation and evaluation of development programmes and projects;
Ability to apply economic theory to the specific country context, carry out high-quality economic research.

Management and Leadership:

Ability to interact with policy officials at the highest levels of society;
Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation;
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Development Economics, Economics. PhD is desirable.

Experience:

A minimum of 7 years work experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, and application of economic principles in national strategic planning;
Understanding of economic theories, principles and their applications to current national economic and development issues;
Proven capacity to deal with complex policy analyses and undertake economic research;
Sound knowledge of Macroeconomic modelling, including data specification, data, estimation, simulations and analysis;
Knowledge of national planning programmes, MDG related interventions and pro-poor economic policy;
A proven track-record of providing high-level policy advice to national planning and finance authorities in developing countries;
Strong knowledge of poverty analysis, specific awareness of pro-poor growth dynamics and analytical tools;
Proven ability to produce reports and research papers with a good command of econometrics and macroeconomic modelling techniques;
Demonstrated experience in management and transferring knowledge.

Language Requirements:

Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, in English.