Senior Economist / Senior Development Coordination Officer

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 countries, addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The UN Development System, which includes the UN Resident Coordinator Offices (RCO), was reformed in 2019 to enhance its effectiveness in achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN RCO in Mauritius and Seychelles operates within the context of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), focusing on their unique vulnerabilities and development priorities. The office aims to support these countries in achieving sustainable development through innovative strategies and partnerships.

Job Overview:
The Senior Economist / Senior Development Coordination Officer plays a crucial role in the UN Resident Coordination Office (RCO) Multi-country office for Mauritius and Seychelles. This position is responsible for providing substantive leadership in evidence-based policy analysis, particularly in the context of SIDS and middle-income countries (MICs). The incumbent will work closely with national counterparts and the UN Country Team (UNCT) to enhance understanding of sustainable development trends and challenges, and to develop innovative strategies for achieving the SDGs. The role involves overseeing the provision of advice on economic resilience, climate financing, and inclusive growth, as well as leading the development of new SDG programs with a strong investment focus. The Senior Economist will also direct knowledge generation and management efforts to support sustainable development initiatives.

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

• Leading evidence-based policy analysis to support the UNCT's understanding of sustainable development trends and challenges in SIDS/MICs.
• Providing substantive advice on economic and climate resilience policies, climate financing, and domestic resource mobilization to the Resident Coordinator and UNCTs.
• Developing new SDG programs with a focus on investment and financing to accelerate progress towards the SDGs.
• Supporting partnership strengthening and leadership in development coordination, including managing the Development Partners group.
• Directing SDG knowledge generation and management, including overseeing research and analysis of sustainable development best practices.
• Coordinating the preparation of UN flagship reports and ensuring evidence-based policy recommendations are presented to stakeholders.
• Managing the UN Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDF) to align operational activities with the 2030 Agenda.
• Facilitating local, regional, and global communities of practice to promote collaboration and innovation in sustainable development.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in economics, with a preference for a PhD. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development policy and economic analysis, with a proven track record of producing high-quality reports and policy briefs. Familiarity with the context of SIDS and/or MICs, as well as experience in climate financing innovation, is required. Desirable qualifications include experience in programme management and the ability to mobilize partnerships with the private sector and academia.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in economics. A PhD is preferred, but candidates with a first-level university degree and additional qualifying experience may also be considered. This educational foundation is essential for understanding complex economic issues and developing effective policies for sustainable development.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development policy and economic analysis. Candidates should have a proven record of authoring high-quality reports and policy documents. Experience in the context of SIDS and/or MICs, particularly regarding climate financing innovation, is essential. Additionally, experience in programme management and the ability to engage with a broad range of partners, including the private sector and academia, is desirable.

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

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is open for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension based on funding availability. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance in its staff and strongly encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process does not involve any fees, and candidates are advised to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening is posted. The UN Secretariat is a non-smoking environment, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities upon request.