UNDP Jobs - 55639- Economics Advisor

Economics Advisor

Location :

Dakar, SENEGAL

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Jun-2015

Application Deadline :

22-Apr-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year (renewable)

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative, the Economics Advisor is responsible for research, development and application of the principles and theories of economics to the formulation of strategies and plans for solution of economic problems, especially as they relate to the Millennium Development Goals. Economics Advisor analyses economic and social trends and provides advisory services to the Government, UNDP and the UN Country Team on development issues and policies as well as enhances the policy impact of UNDP programmes and projects.

Economics Advisor monitors economic policy developments and advises RC/RR, UNCT and other members of the UNDP team and its partners on policy issues. He/she contributes to UN’s/UNDP’s policy dialogue with Government and donors. She/he supervises and leads a team of UNDP experts, international and national consultants and project staff. Economics Advisor works in close collaboration with the operations and programme teams, UNDP HQs staff, particularly the Policy Advisors at the corporate level and in the ASROs, and Government officials, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring high level of UNDP programmes policy impact.

Post Category: Development Project Funded (DPF) post.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provides high quality economic input to UNCT/UNDP programmes and ensures that UNDP programmes are in line with national policies and priorities focusing on achievement of the following results:

Thorough compilation, analysis and interpretation of economic and statistical data relevant to country’s development assets, opportunities and constraints, and preparation of top quality relevant socio-economic briefs/reports;
Development, delivery and mainstreaming into national development initiatives of specific policy instruments and services, notably NLTPS, NHDRS, PRS and PRSPs;
Identification of areas for UNDP support and interventions;
Provision of advice on formulation and adjustments of UN/UNDP programmes and projects (including UNDAFs, CPDs, and CPAPs) based on sound economic analysis;
Reviews and disseminates best practices and lessons learnt from implementation of projects and programmes with a view to strengthening the upstream orientation within UNDP.

Ensures provision of top quality and innovative policy advisory services to the Government and facilitation of capacity development and knowledge building and management in support of pro-poor growth and the attainment of the MDGs and advocating for the post 2015 development agenda or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda in Africa, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Collects, analyses and syntheses macro-economic, MDG and SDGs related information and best practices, paying attention to the gender and capacity development aspects, and proposes policy options to relevant government departments;
Provides high-quality development advice to RR/RC in policy dialogue with host government, UN System and other strategic partners on economic issues, most notably in relation to pro-poor economic growth and achievement of the MDGs, with the Government, donors, civil society, and the private sector;
Contributes to alternative policy advice through the preparation, launch and follow-up of national HDRs;
Organizes capacity development opportunities for programme countries, including support to UN staff and Government officials in the formulation of MDG-based policies, plans and programmes, including appropriate macroeconomic, fiscal and medium term expenditure frameworks;
Keeps abreast of regional and global economic trends and issues and analyse their implications for the realization of the MDGs in Africa;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice, including the development of tools for needs assessments and policy analysis, in close collaboration with UN agencies, the IFIs and other development partners;
Works closely with the Bureau for Development Policy, the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, to provide guidance and support on MDG-related issues to the Deputy Regional Director, PSD/RBA.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:

Identify entry points to development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs, particularly in relation to the MDGs and SDGs, and donors’ priorities;
Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation;
Keeps track of the changes in the aid effectiveness/development cooperation environment and external resource management matters and assists Government and UN/UNDP in resource mobilization to meet the MDGs through, among other things, preparation of documentation for donor and consultative meetings;
Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs, particularly in relation to the MDGs, and donors’ priorities.

Advocacy and promotion of awareness of UNDP mandate, mission and purpose focusing on achievement of the following results:

Advocacy for the Millennium Development Goals and post 2015 Agenda, human development and equitable economic growth by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings;
Monitoring of poverty reduction and progress towards the achievement of the MDGs leading to management of the production and launch of economic and MDG-related reports/publications;
Substantive contribution to knowledge exchanges through the RBA Economists e-network.

Competencies

Corporate Responsibility & Direction:

Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of UNDP.

People Skills:

Promotes a learning and knowledge sharing environment;
Facilitates the development of individual and multi-cultural/team competencies.

Managing for Results:

Plans and prioritizes work activities to meet Organizational goals;
Strategic approach to problem solving.

Partnering & Networking:

Builds and sustains relationships with key constituents (internal/external/ bilateral/ multilateral/public/private; civil society);
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP;
Demonstrates ability to handle working relationships with senior officials, academics and technical experts.

Innovation & Jugement:

Conceptualizes and analyzes problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate;
Generates creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations;
Devises new systems and processes, and modifies existing ones, to support innovative behaviors.

Communication:

Demonstrates outstanding communication skills, verbal and written, in English.

Job Knowledge & Expertise:

Applies the required depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise to meet job demands Applies the required depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise to meet job demands;
Possesses extensive knowledge of economic development issues and familiarity with major macro-economic policy issues and models and the MDGs;
Capable of applying economic theory to the specific country context;
Demonstrates strong quantitative skills and the ability to carry out high quality economic research, including statistical analysis;
Possesses proven ability to analyse from a global perspective, with the ability to offer practical policy advice on economic issues based on local realities;
Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters Degree or equivalent in Economics, with strong emphasis on macro-economic and other quantitative skills, development economics, and economic planning.

Experience:

10 years of post Master’s relevant experience at the national or international level;
Substantial experience with poverty reduction strategy processes in developing country contexts and awareness of MDGs related policy matters and aid effectiveness issues;
Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis, including in formulation, monitoring and evaluation of strategies and development programmes/projects;
Demonstrated experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and French is required.
Knowledge of Portuguese would be an asset.