Development Coordination Officer / Economist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development System was restructured under a global reform initiated by the UN Secretary-General on January 1, 201

• This reform aims to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the UN in achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO) play a crucial role in this framework, led by an independent UN Resident Coordinator who represents the UN Secretary-General and oversees the UN Development System's operations at the country level. The organization focuses on supporting countries in achieving their development priorities and the SDGs, operating in numerous countries worldwide with a diverse workforce dedicated to sustainable development.

Job Overview:
The Development Coordination Officer / Economist position is integral to the UN Resident Coordination Office in Harare, Zimbabwe. The role involves providing substantive advice and evidence-based analysis on the status of the SDGs, particularly focusing on SDG acceleration, economic transformation, and leveraging SDG financing. The officer will engage in research, data analysis, and policy development to support the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the Resident Coordinator (RC) in their advocacy efforts and strategic planning. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including government counterparts, international financial institutions, and the private sector, to foster partnerships that advance the economic transformation agenda and support the achievement of the SDGs. The officer will also coordinate the development of integrated SDG programming cycles and contribute to knowledge generation and management around sustainable development trends and challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan, facilitate, and consolidate evidence-based analysis of the SDGs, providing substantive advice to the RC and UNCT on SDG acceleration and economic transformation.
• Support advocacy efforts for strong partnerships with national counterparts and relevant partners to reframe economic policies around SDG acceleration.
• Coordinate the development of a new generation of integrated SDG programming cycles, ensuring a clear approach to SDG financing.
• Plan and direct SDG knowledge generation and management, promoting collaboration and sharing best practices within the UN system.
• Collect and analyze data to identify trends and provide insights for decision-making and reporting.
• Engage with various stakeholders to strengthen understanding and collaboration on SDG financing and economic transformation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of sustainable development theories and concepts, with the ability to analyze and resolve complex issues. The role requires proficiency in data collection and analysis, as well as the ability to conduct independent research. Candidates should demonstrate professionalism, efficiency, and a commitment to gender equality in their work. Strong planning and organizational skills are essential, along with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and value diverse perspectives.

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 in the context of development cooperation is required. Candidates should have in-depth knowledge of the functioning of the Zimbabwean government and civil society, with proven capacity to address high-level and sensitive issues. Experience in supporting development financing related to SDGs is desirable, as is experience working within the United Nations or similar organizations, particularly in inter-agency coordination and programming. Experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder processes and participatory assessments is also beneficial, along with two or more years of experience in data analytics or related fields.

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 United Nations language, such as French, is considered an advantage. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (reading, writing, speaking, understanding), while knowledge is rated as '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 recruitment process is focused on securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, with a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The United Nations encourages female candidates to apply and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct in its hiring practices.