UN DESA Consultant - Upgrade of the World Economic Forecast Model (WEFM) for Cambodia

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) is a vital part of the United Nations system, dedicated to promoting sustainable development and fostering international cooperation. Established to support the economic and social development of member states, UN DESA plays a crucial role in providing data, analysis, and policy advice to help countries achieve their development goals. The organization operates globally, with a focus on enhancing the capacity of countries to implement sustainable development initiatives. UN DESA's mission includes promoting inclusive economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability, and it engages with various stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, to achieve these objectives. The organization employs a diverse workforce of experts in various fields, contributing to its mission across multiple countries.

Job Overview:
The position of UN DESA Consultant involves a significant role in enhancing Cambodia's capacity for macroeconomic policy analysis and evidence-based policymaking. The consultant will be responsible for developing a customized WEFM Scenario Lab and validating macroeconomic scenarios tailored to Cambodia's specific needs. This role requires collaboration with government officials and stakeholders to ensure that the scenarios developed are relevant and applicable to the country's economic context. The consultant will engage in data collection, scenario design, and capacity-building workshops, ultimately contributing to a comprehensive country scenario study that supports informed decision-making in macroeconomic policy. The consultant's work will be critical in helping policymakers understand the implications of various policy options and external shocks, thereby facilitating better economic planning and resilience.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties and responsibilities include:

• Preparing an inception note and workplan that outlines the engagement strategy and key milestones for the project.
• Reviewing and assessing the R-based WEFM modeling system to customize it for Cambodia's needs.
• Engaging with relevant government institutions and stakeholders to identify priority policy questions and data requirements.
• Producing a record of key inputs, assumptions, and issues for follow-up.
• Translating stakeholder priorities into a structured scenario approach that includes policy questions and model specifications.
• Leading the design of a customized scenario dashboard based on the WEFM Scenario Lab.
• Reviewing preliminary results with policymakers and refining scenario narratives.
• Planning and facilitating capacity-building workshops on macroeconomic policy and scenario design.
• Preparing a country scenario study that presents findings in a clear, policy-relevant manner. 1
• Discussing draft findings with policymakers and incorporating their feedback to validate the proposed interventions.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in macroeconomic analysis, economic modeling, or policy research. Candidates should have experience in macroeconomic scenario analysis and the development of analytical tools for evidence-based policymaking. Strong analytical and writing skills are essential, with a demonstrated ability to prepare policy reports and technical studies. Familiarity with macroeconomic modeling, particularly using WEFM-style structural macro-econometric models, is highly desirable. Additionally, experience with R and Shiny for designing interactive dashboards is preferred. Candidates should also have experience facilitating stakeholder consultations and delivering training or workshops for government or development partners.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in economics, public policy, development studies, statistics, environmental economics, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of macroeconomic analysis and policy development.

Experience:
The consultant should have at least 7 years of relevant experience, with a focus on macroeconomic analysis and policy research. Experience in facilitating stakeholder consultations and delivering training workshops is also essential. Candidates should demonstrate a strong track record in macroeconomic modeling and scenario analysis, particularly in the context of evidence-based policymaking.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication with diverse stakeholders and enhance the consultant's effectiveness in the role.

Additional Notes:
The position offers flexibility in work location, allowing for remote work or office-based arrangements as agreed upon. The expected duration of the consultancy is 4 months, and the consultant may need to travel to Cambodia for engagement activities as required. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process.