Development Coordination Officer / Economist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development System was restructured on January 1, 2019, to enhance its effectiveness in achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This reform led to the establishment of UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO) that operate under the leadership of an independent UN Resident Coordinator, who is the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System in the country. The UN RCOs are tasked with supporting countries in achieving their development priorities and the SDGs, thereby playing a crucial role in the global development agenda.

Job Overview:
The Development Coordination Officer / Economist position is integral to the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Maputo, Mozambique. The role involves planning, facilitating, and consolidating evidence-based analysis of the status of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The officer will provide substantive advice to the Resident Coordinator (RC) and the UN Country Team (UNCT) on various elements related to SDG acceleration, economic transformation, and leveraging SDG financing. This includes researching and analyzing best practices in sustainable development, advising on global guidelines, and coordinating the preparation of UN flagship reports. The officer will also engage with national counterparts and international financial institutions to foster partnerships that support the reframing of economic policies around SDG acceleration and financing. The position requires a proactive approach to developing integrated SDG programming cycles and knowledge management around sustainable development trends and challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plans, facilitates, and consolidates evidence-based analysis of the SDGs, providing advice on SDG acceleration and economic transformation.
• Supports advocacy efforts for partnerships with national counterparts and international financial institutions.
• Coordinates the development of an integrated SDG programming cycle, including the preparation of Common Country Analyses and UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks.
• Plans and directs knowledge management around SDG acceleration and financing agendas.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends and provide insights for decision-making.
• Performs other related tasks as assigned, ensuring effective collaboration with UNCT and stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in economics, development studies, public policy, or public finance. 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 programs in data analytics or business analytics is advantageous. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of sustainable development theories and concepts, as well as the ability to conduct independent research and analysis.

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 in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science programs is an advantage.

Experience:
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development policy, economic research, and analysis in the context of development cooperation is required. Experience in supporting development financing related to SDG financing is desirable. Candidates should have experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder spaces and participatory assessment processes, as well as familiarity with development economics at the national or international level. Experience with inter-agency collaboration in the development sector is also required.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, while knowledge of Portuguese is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (reading, writing, speaking, understanding), while 'knowledge of' is rated as 'confident' in two of the four areas.

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 United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Internal applicants must ensure their Candidate Profile is complete and up to date. The UN does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities.