UNDP Jobs - 85880- Development Economist

Development Economist

Location :

Apia, SAMOA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Aug-2019

Application Deadline :

12-Jul-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Initial 12 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 months (maximum 240 working);extension subject to funds availability and satisfactory performance

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 supports countries around the world to formulate strategies, policies, and programme interventions that promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To advance these aims, UNDP provides technical policy advice and programming tools, especially to help address critical sustainable development challenges.

UNDP country offices work closely with government counterparts and other national stakeholders to support the introduction of inclusive and sustainable development policies that are aligned with the national context. National economists based in country offices across the Asia-Pacific region contribute to this work, including through support to policy dialogue with government officials and other partners, assistance in programme development, and production of research and analysis. These colleagues also collaborate and share experiences and practices across countries inside and outside the Asia-Pacific region.

The UNDP Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Samoa, which also implements programmes in Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, is recruiting a Development Economist to help contribute to its overall work programme. The Development Economist will support the MCO by providing economic analysis and policy advice to management and government counterparts that favor inclusive development. This will also include advice on the integration of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs into national plans and activities, and mapping of linkages between national plans and budgets and the SAMOA Pathway, aiming to strengthen policy coherence and whole-of-society approaches. The Development Economist will contribute to enhancing the value addition of UNDP’s programme in the four countries by identifying and promoting development solutions at scale. S/he is expected to contribute to knowledge generation through research and analysis, represent UNDP as required in policy discussions, and collaborate closely with the regional network of UNDP country economists on SDG integration, acceleration, and innovation.

UNDP's work in Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau is outlined as part of the 2018-2022 Sub-regional Programme Document for 14 Pacific Island countries and territories, which contributes to the joint UN Pacific Strategy.

The Development Economist will be based full-time in the UNDP MCO. Domestic and international travel will be required. S/he will work closely with the MCO senior management, programme and operations teams, the sub-regional Innovation Specialist and Accelerator Lab in the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, and colleagues in the Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH). S/he will also collaborate with the Asia-Pacific regional network of country economists. This will include systematic engagement with and oversight from the lead regional economic advisors based in BRH and Beijing. S/he is also expected to develop and maintain a network of counterparts across development partner agencies, government institutions, the private sector, and civil society.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Resident Representative with matrix reporting to the Regional Economic Advisor in BRH, the Development Economist will be primarily responsible for the following work streams:

Provision of support to UNDP MCO management, including to help strengthen programme development and implementation.
Provision of technical policy advice to national government counterparts, especially in support of the 2030 Agenda and the introduction of sustainable and inclusive economic policies.
Representation, advocacy, and partner engagement to support UNDP’s institutional positioning and advance its mandate.
Contribution to UNDP’s work across the Asia-Pacific region, including collaboration with the regional economist network and analysis of priority regional thematic areas.

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1. Provision of support to UNDP MCO management, including to help strengthen programme development and implementation.

Assist UNDP MCO management with implementation of sub-regional programmes and strategies, including the Sub-Regional Programme Document;
Support UNDP MCO teams to develop and manage relevant thematic portfolios, such as activities to support inclusive growth and progress towards the SDGs;
Provide analysis and research in priority thematic areas at the country level across Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau, including through the publication of policy briefs or other analytical outputs;
Compile and analyse statistical data as required in support of country strategies and activities.
Collaborate across UNDP teams, especially to ensure linkages to the work emerging from the network of UNDP accelerator labs;
Support the creation of development solutions at scale to help address complex development challenges.

2. Provision of technical advice to national government counterparts and other partners, especially in support of the 2030 Agenda and the introduction of sustainable and inclusive economic policies.

Support and facilitate dialogue on sustainable development issues with government officials, development partners, civil society, academia and the private sector;
Provide policy and programming advice and support for development planning and policy formulation at the national and local levels;
Support the identification and analysis of interventions that can impact multiple development goals and targets at the same time;
Support monitoring and reporting of progress related to SDGs and other national development frameworks.

3. Representation, advocacy, and partner engagement to support UNDP’s institutional positioning and advance its mandate.

Develop and/or strengthen partnerships with UN agencies, international financial institutions, bilateral development agencies, private sector entities, academic institutions and civil society;
Represent UNDP MCO in relevant forums, conferences or workshops, including to present research or programmatic results;
Support UNDP resource mobilization and future growth strategies through project pipeline development and design of development solutions at scale;
Contribute to national, regional, and global knowledge networks and communities of practice.

4. Contribution to UNDP’s work across the Asia-Pacific region, including collaboration with the regional economist network and analysis of priority regional thematic areas.

Participate actively in the UNDP Asia-Pacific regional network of economists, including through attending regional meetings (in-person and/or virtual), sharing relevant experiences, and conducting peer reviews;
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);
Enhance UNDP’s understanding and design of new approaches to sustainable development across the region by acting as a regional thematic lead where possible.

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;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
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:

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

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master’s Degree in Economics, Econometrics, International Development studies with strong economic background, Statistics or equivalent.

Experience:

7 years of relevant development experience at the national or international level and in/on the Pacific Island States;
Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis;
Direct experience providing technical advice to government officials;
Experience in designing, monitoring and evaluating development projects;
Experience using computers and office software packages, including programmes for statistical analysis of data;
Knowledge of the SDGs and their application at the national level.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English and Samoan.
Knowledge of Cook Islands Maori, Niuean and/or Tokelauan is an asset.

Term of payment:

Daily basis - Payments will be made upon submission of a monthly timesheet as acceptance and confirmation by supervisor and outputs delivered.
In the case of mission travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed based on provision of supporting documentation. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated. Incomplete applications will not be considered;
Offers will be evaluated according to the Combined Scoring method – where the technical criteria will be weighted at 70% and the financial offer will be weighted at 30%;
The technical criteria (education, experience, language) will be based on a maximum 70 points. Only the candidates that have achieved a minimum of 49 points from the review of education, experience and language will be deemed technically compliant and considered for financial evaluation;
Financial score (max 30 points) shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal of those technically qualified;
The financial proposal shall specify an all-inclusive daily fee. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal must additionally include a breakdown of this daily fee (including all foreseeable expenses to carry out the assignment).
Applicant receiving the Highest Combined Score and has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions will be awarded the contract.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (70 points)

Criteria 1: Relevance of eductation [5 points]
Criteria 2: Relevant development experience at the national or international level and in/on the Pacific Island States [25 points]
Criteria 3: Experience in research and policy-level analysis [10 points]
Criteria 4: Direct Experience providing technical advice to government officials [10 points]
Criteria 5: Experience in designing , monitoring and evaluating development projects [5 points]
Criteria 6: Experience using computers and office software packages, including programmes for statistical analysis of data [5 points]
Criteria 7: Knowledge of the SDGs and their application at the national level [5 points]
Criteria 8: Fluency in written and spoken English and Samoan [5 points]

Documentation to be submitted:

Applicants must submit a duly completed and signed UNDP Personal History form (P11) or CV including Education/Qualification, Professional Certification, Employment Records /Experience;
Applicants must submit a duly completed and signed Annex II Offeror´s letter to UNDP confirming interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) assignment;
Applicants must submit a Financial Proposal that indicates all-inclusive daily fee.

Kindly note you can upload only ONE document to this application (scan all documents in one single PDF file to attach).

UNDP Personal History form (P11) required of all applicants:

http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc.

General Conditions of Contract for the ICs:

http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf.

Annex II Offeror´s letter to UNDP confirming interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) assignment can be referred from the procurement notices:

http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=56950