UN Economist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, currently comprising 193 member states. Its mission is to maintain international peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, promote sustainable development, uphold human rights, and coordinate international cooperation. The UN Development System has undergone significant reforms since January 1, 2019, aimed at enhancing its effectiveness in achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (RCO) play a crucial role in supporting countries to meet their development priorities and align with the SDGs. The UN operates in numerous countries worldwide, with a focus on delivering impactful development assistance and fostering partnerships across various sectors.

Job Overview:
The UN Economist position is situated within the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Nairobi, Kenya. The incumbent will provide substantive economic analysis and support evidence-based advice on sustainable development, economic transformation, and SDG financing. This role involves conducting research, analyzing economic and social data, and presenting findings to support the Resident Coordinator and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in identifying challenges and opportunities for advancing the SDGs. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including government counterparts, international financial institutions, and civil society, to foster partnerships and enhance the effectiveness of economic policies and financing strategies. The incumbent will also contribute to the UN sustainable development programming cycle, ensuring that economic considerations are integrated into the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Conducting substantive economic analysis and providing evidence-based advice on sustainable development and SDG financing. This includes researching and analyzing economic, social, and sustainable development data, identifying trends, and proposing policy options.
• Supporting partnerships and engagement with national counterparts and stakeholders on economic transformation and SDG financing, facilitating collaboration across various sectors.
• Contributing to the UN sustainable development programming cycle by providing economic analysis for the CCA and UNSDCF, and supporting the development of joint programmes related to economic transformation.
• Engaging in knowledge management and learning activities, sharing best practices, and documenting lessons learned to enhance the UNCT's understanding of sustainable development challenges.
• Monitoring national, regional, and global economic developments and analyzing their implications for sustainable development at the country level.
• Preparing substantive inputs for policy papers, analytical notes, and reports on economic transformation and SDG financing.
• Supporting UNCT initiatives related to SDG financing and facilitating engagement with private sector and civil society stakeholders to identify opportunities for collaboration.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is advantageous. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of sustainable development theories and concepts, as well as the ability to conduct independent research and analysis. Familiarity with various research sources and analytical methodologies is essential, along with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in Economics. Alternatively, a first-level university degree along with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted. Candidates with qualifications in data analytics or related fields will have an advantage. The role demands a solid foundation in economic theory and practice, as well as analytical skills to interpret data and inform decision-making processes.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, macroeconomic or socioeconomic policy, applied economics, or development economics is required. Candidates should have experience in conducting economic and policy analysis, translating development trends into actionable recommendations, and working with various stakeholders, including government and development partners. Experience in SDG financing, public finance, and innovative financing approaches is desirable, as is familiarity with inclusive approaches that consider gender equality and other social dimensions in economic analysis.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French. For this position, proficiency in English is required at UN Level III, while proficiency in Kiswahili is also required at UN Level II. Candidates should demonstrate strong communication skills in both languages, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities.

Additional Notes:
This is a Fixed Term position available for a duration of one year, with no expectation of renewal. The appointment is subject to budgetary approval and the availability of the post. The position is open to nationals of Kenya only, and candidates must be based in the country or within commuting distance of the office. The UN is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities upon request.