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 promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations, and to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The UN Development System has undergone significant reforms to enhance 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 in their development priorities, ensuring alignment with the SDGs, and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders. The UN operates in numerous countries worldwide, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to various missions and initiatives.

Job Overview:
The UN Economist position is situated within the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The incumbent will report to the Head of RCO and will work closely with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Policy and Financing Section. The primary functions of this role include providing substantive economic analysis, supporting evidence-based advice on sustainable development, and facilitating the implementation of economic transformation and SDG financing strategies. The Economist will conduct research and analysis on economic, social, and sustainable development data, identify challenges and opportunities for policy options, and support the localization of global guidelines related to economic transformation. This position requires a strong understanding of macroeconomic trends, SDG financing, and the ability to engage with various stakeholders to promote sustainable economic development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Economist 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 involves researching and presenting data on economic transformation, green transitions, and digital transformation.
• Supporting the Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team in identifying policy options for accelerating progress towards the SDGs, with a focus on gender equality and inclusivity.
• Implementing and localizing corporate guidelines related to economic transformation and SDG financing.
• Preparing analytical materials, policy papers, and reports on economic transformation and macroeconomic trends.
• Monitoring national and global economic developments and their implications for sustainable development.
• Engaging with national counterparts and stakeholders to foster partnerships on economic transformation and SDG financing.
• Contributing to the UN sustainable development programming cycle by providing economic analysis for various UN frameworks and joint programmes.
• Participating in knowledge management initiatives to share best practices and lessons learned in economic transformation and SDG financing.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong foundation in economic research and analysis, with a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in related fields such as macroeconomic policy, development economics, or applied economics. Experience in conducting economic analysis and translating data into actionable policy recommendations is essential. Familiarity with SDG financing, development finance, and innovative financing approaches is highly desirable. Additionally, candidates should have experience working with diverse stakeholders, including government institutions, the private sector, and civil society, to support sustainable development priorities. Knowledge of inclusive approaches that consider gender equality and other social dimensions in economic analysis is also important.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Economics is required for this position. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Completion of degree or non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is considered an advantage.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in economic research and analysis, macroeconomic or socioeconomic policy, or development economics. Candidates should demonstrate experience in conducting economic and policy analysis, as well as translating development trends into policy options. Experience in SDG financing and working with multiple stakeholders in development cooperation contexts is desirable. Additionally, two or more years of experience in data analytics or related areas is preferred.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French. For this position, proficiency in both languages is required, with a minimum level of proficiency as per the UN Language Framework. Candidates must demonstrate their ability to read, write, listen, and speak in both languages at the required levels.

Additional Notes:
This is a fixed-term position with an initial appointment period of one year, subject to availability of funds and budgetary approval. The position is open to nationals of Cameroon, and candidates must be recruited within the country or commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidates are identified, Cameroonian nationals residing elsewhere may be considered. The UN is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process is free of charge, and the UN does not require any fees at any stage of the hiring process.