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 for Sustainable Development 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 SDGs, with a focus on data-driven approaches and innovative solutions. The UN Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) oversees the Resident Coordinator System, ensuring optimal support for the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda. The UN RCO in New Delhi operates under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, who is the highest-ranking UN official in the country, and is responsible for coordinating the UN's development efforts.

Job Overview:
The UN Economist position is integral to the UN Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in New Delhi, India. The incumbent will be responsible for providing evidence-based analysis and substantive advice on the status of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and national development objectives. This role involves researching and consolidating information on best practices in SDG acceleration and economic transformation, particularly focusing on poverty reduction, inequality, and leveraging SDG financing. The Economist will work closely with the UN Country Team (UNCT) to develop coherent advocacy strategies and policy recommendations that align with the SDGs, ensuring that economic policies are reframed to support sustainable development. The position requires a strong analytical background, the ability to engage with various stakeholders, and a commitment to promoting gender equality and inclusivity in development efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan, facilitate, and consolidate evidence-based analysis of the status of the SDGs and relevant national development objectives, providing substantive advice to the Resident Coordinator (RC) and UNCT on SDG acceleration and economic transformation.
• Research, analyze, and present information on emerging best practices in SDG acceleration, focusing on gender and the principle of leaving no one behind (LNOB).
• Guide substantive support to the RC/UNCT on SDG-related issues, evaluating potential synergies and trade-offs between SDGs.
• Work with UNCT counterparts to create advocacy topics related to SDG acceleration and economic transformation, identifying entry points for UN policy support.
• Collect and analyze data on national schemes and UN operations to support SDG acceleration and propose follow-up actions.
• Develop policy papers and guidance notes to influence policy dialogue and advocate for economic transformation.
• Coordinate the preparation of UN flagship reports on SDG acceleration and economic transformation.
• Monitor regional and global economic trends, analyzing their implications for SDG acceleration at the country level.
• Conduct analytical work to strengthen understanding of innovative SDG financing mechanisms. 1
• Support advocacy efforts for partnerships with national counterparts and relevant partners to reframe economic policies around SDG acceleration. 1
• Coordinate the development of an integrated SDG programming cycle that advances the economic transformation agenda. 1
• Lead knowledge generation and management around SDG acceleration and financing, promoting collaboration and innovation within the UNCT. 1
• Collect and analyze data to provide insights for decision-making and reporting. 1
• Perform other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics is required. A first-level university degree 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 an advantage.
• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development policy, economic research, and analysis in development cooperation or related areas is required.
• Knowledge of economics and familiarity with development economics is essential.
• Ability to apply development economic theory to specific country contexts and conduct high-quality economic research is desirable.
• Knowledge of the SDGs and their application at the national level is desirable.
• Demonstrated understanding of SDG financing issues and governance structures in the country is desirable.
• Proven experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder processes and participatory assessments is desirable.
• Outstanding analytical and writing skills with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly is desirable. 1
• Experience using statistical analysis software is desirable. 1
• Two years or more of experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is considered an advantage, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development policy, economic research, and analysis within the context of development cooperation or related areas. This experience should demonstrate a strong understanding of economics, particularly development economics, and the ability to apply economic theories to specific country contexts. Familiarity with the SDGs and their implementation at the national level is also desirable, along with a proven track record of coordinating multi-stakeholder processes and participatory assessments. Candidates should possess outstanding analytical and writing skills, enabling them to convey complex ideas in a clear and engaging manner. Experience with statistical analysis software is also beneficial, and additional experience in data analytics or related fields is a plus.

Languages:
For this position, proficiency in English is required, with a minimum level of UN Level II for reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations Secretariat, but English is the primary language required for this role. Candidates should refer to the UN Language Framework for specific language proficiency requirements.

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. Candidates must be nationals of India, as this position is open only to Indian nationals. The role requires national experience and knowledge of the local context, including language and cultural understanding. If no suitable local candidates are identified, Indian nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, but they would be responsible for any travel and relocation costs. The UN is committed to achieving gender balance in its staff 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.