Background

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. 

 

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP

 

UNDP invests in improving access to rights and services through strengthening effective, inclusive and accountable governing institutions, promoting a transparent, gender-sensitive and digitalized public administration with innovative solutions.  UNDP focuses on the advancement rule of law and access to justice and facilitates people’s meaningful participation – in particular, women, indigenous peoples and youth - in decision-making to promote equality and social cohesion at local level.

 

It serves as the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels offers a spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy.

 

Under the broader framework of the SDGs and in line with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), UNDP Guyana continues to deliver on its key strategic priorities within its Country Programme for the period 2022-2026, namely: (i) Economic Resilience and shared prosperity, (ii) Safety and Security, (iii) Natural Resource Management and Resilience to Climate Change, (iv) Equality and Well-being.

 

This strategic approach by UNDP to Guyana’s to national development priorities aims to advance human development based on economic, social and gender inequalities; supporting effective governance and social protection; and enabling sustainable low-carbon trajectories (including climate change adaptation,) all supported by digital transformation and strengthened data.

 

The Economist Programme provides policy and programme support on economic, development and social issues at the country office level in alignment with the 2030 development agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Economists play an important role in the Country Office by conducting research and producing analytical reports that inform decision making on inclusive economic development growth, the design of Programme and projects, and assessment of UNDP impact.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead policy advice and support to UNDP and CO management, programmes and projects on economic and development issues.

  • Analyze and interpret economic and statistical data, conduct thorough research of the economic and development issues in the country, and produce relevant reports aimed at promoting equitable economic growth and human development.
  • Provide authoritative advice on possible areas for UNDP support and adjustment of ongoing programmes to ensure that UNDP programmes are in line with national priorities and policies.
  • Select strategic research topics, surveys and/or case studies.
  • Formulate and facilitate UNDP inputs and CO support to national poverty reduction, and inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development.

 

Lead policy advice to Government counterparts and knowledge management on economic and development issues.

  • Facilitate policy dialogue on economic issues with the Government, partners, civil society, private sector; and contribute to development of policies as relevant.
  • Provide policy options, particularly from pro-poor and sustainability perspectives, on economic and development issues to governments and other development actors.
  • Assess the country’s economic policies and strategies for their impact on poverty reduction, and inclusive and sustainable growth, etc.

·Undertake selected studies/research on emerging development concerns that feed into UNDP Programme, and national policies and strategies.

 

 

Promote awareness and facilitate advocacy for UNDP’s mandate and mission.

  • Contribute to policy advocacy for Human Development and inclusive sustainable economic growth by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings.
  • Provide support to monitoring progress and formulation of strategies towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Produce high quality research papers for UNDP presentation at national and international workshops and conferences.
  • Manage events and publications on economic issues, including annual Global Human Development Reports launches in the country, and advocacy of the Reports’ findings among relevant Governmental agencies, civil society organizations and donors.

 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously:

LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility:

LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination:

LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner:

LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)

 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)

Thematic Area

Name

Definition

Business Direction & Strategy

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 system

Business Management

Portfolio Management

  • Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s 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 optimising return on investment

Business Development

Human-centered Design

  • Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process

Digital & Innovation

 

Data literacy

  • 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

Programme & Policy

Crisis and Fragility Policy and Engagement

 

  • Data/Analytics for early warning and crisis management

 

Programme and policy

SDG Integration

 

  • Economy-wide analysis
  • Engagement with South-South Global Thinkers

 

Digital & Innovation

 

Co-creation

  • 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

 

 

 

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements

  • Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Economics is required, or 
  • A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Min. years of relevant work experience

  • Minimum of 5 years (with Master’s Degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s 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.

Required skills

  • Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

  • Policy, advisory and advocacy experience is an asset.
  • Experience in preparing policy briefs and guidance notes for use by senior policy makers is an asset.
  • Knowledge of the SDGs and their application at the national level is an asset.
  • Experience in usage of statistic packages such as eViews, SPSS  or similar, is a strong asset.  
  • Published research would be an asset.

Required Language(s)

  • Fluency in the UN language of the duty station – English - is required.
  • Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Professional Certificates

N/A