Development Coordination Officer / 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 operates in various countries around the world, with a focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 203

• The UN Development System has undergone significant reforms to enhance its effectiveness and efficiency in delivering development assistance, particularly through the establishment of UN Resident Coordinator Offices (RCO) that support countries in achieving their development priorities.

Job Overview:
The Development Coordination Officer / Economist position is located within the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Harare, Zimbabwe. This role is pivotal in supporting the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team (UNCT) in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and facilitating economic transformation in Zimbabwe. The officer will be responsible for providing evidence-based analysis and substantive advice on SDG acceleration, economic transformation, and leveraging SDG financing. The position requires a deep understanding of sustainable development policies and the ability to engage with various stakeholders, including government entities, international financial institutions, and civil society organizations. The officer will also coordinate the development of integrated SDG programming cycles and knowledge management initiatives to promote sustainable development trends and opportunities in the country.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plans, facilitates, and consolidates evidence-based analysis of the status of the SDGs, providing substantive advice to the Resident Coordinator (RC) and UNCT on SDG acceleration and economic transformation.
• Supports advocacy efforts for creating strong partnerships with national counterparts and relevant partners to reframe economic policies around SDG acceleration.
• Coordinates the development of a new generation of integrated SDG programming cycles, including roadmaps and annual reports that advance the economic transformation agenda.
• Plans and directs SDG knowledge generation and management to support a shared understanding of sustainable development trends and challenges.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends and provide insights for decision-making and reporting.
• Engages with the private sector to identify catalytic SDG financing opportunities.
• Monitors regional and global economic trends and their implications for SDG acceleration at the country level.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in sustainable development policy, economic research, and analysis. They should demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research and analysis, with familiarity in using various research sources. The role requires excellent analytical and evaluative skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders. Candidates should also have a commitment to incorporating gender perspectives in their work and ensuring equal participation of women and men in all areas.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, development studies, public policy, or public finance is required. 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 considered an advantage.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development policy, economic research, and analysis is required. Candidates should have in-depth knowledge of the functioning of the governments of Zimbabwe and civil societies, with proven capacity for addressing high-level and sensitive issues. Experience in supporting development financing in SDG financing is desirable, as is working experience in the United Nations or similar organizations, particularly in inter-agency coordination and programming. Experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder spaces and participatory assessment processes is also desirable, along with two or more years of experience in data analytics or related areas.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, is considered an advantage. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (reading, writing, speaking, and understanding), while knowledge is defined as a rating of 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
This position is open to nationals of Zimbabwe only, and the appointment is for an initial period of one year, subject to availability of funds. The role is categorized as a National Professional Officer position, meaning that candidates must be of the nationality of Zimbabwe and will be recruited within the country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Zimbabwean nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, but they would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to Zimbabwe. The UN is committed to achieving gender balance in its staff and encourages female candidates to apply. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and may be assigned to various functions in accordance with established rules and procedures.