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 Development System has undergone significant reforms since January 1, 2019, aimed at enhancing its effectiveness in supporting countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 203

• The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (RCO) play a crucial role in this system, providing leadership and coordination for development efforts at the country level. Lesotho, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, is one of the nations where the UN operates, focusing on its development priorities and challenges, including high unemployment and poverty rates.

Job Overview:
The Development Coordination Officer / Economist position is integral to the UN's efforts in Lesotho, specifically within the UN Resident Coordination Office. The role involves planning, facilitating, and consolidating evidence-based analysis of the status of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country. The officer will provide substantive advice to the Resident Coordinator and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) on various aspects of SDG acceleration, economic transformation, and financing. This position requires a deep understanding of sustainable development policies and the ability to advocate for strong partnerships among various stakeholders, including government entities and international financial institutions. The officer will also coordinate the development of integrated SDG programming cycles and manage knowledge generation around sustainable development trends and challenges in Lesotho.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plans, facilitates, and consolidates evidence-based analysis of the SDGs, providing advice on SDG acceleration and economic transformation.
• Advocates for partnerships within the UN System and with national counterparts to support economic policy reframing.
• Coordinates the development of integrated SDG programming cycles, including roadmaps and annual reports.
• Plans and directs knowledge management around SDG acceleration and financing, promoting collaboration and sharing best practices.
• Researches and analyzes data on SDG-related issues, providing guidance on policies to achieve the SDGs.
• Monitors regional and global economic trends, analyzing their implications for SDG acceleration.
• Engages with the private sector to identify financing opportunities for SDG achievement.
• Supports the UNCT in developing joint programmes that promote SDG acceleration and economic transformation.

Required Qualifications:
A university degree in economics is required, with an advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) preferred. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Candidates must demonstrate a strong understanding of sustainable development policies, economic research, and analysis, particularly in the context of development cooperation. Knowledge of the SDGs and their application at the national level is essential, along with experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder processes and participatory assessments. Outstanding analytical and writing skills are also required, as well as proficiency in using statistical analysis software and office applications.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree in economics. An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) is preferred, but a first-level university degree with additional qualifying experience may be acceptable. The educational background should provide a solid foundation in economic theories and practices relevant to sustainable development and policy analysis.

Experience:
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development policy, economic research, and analysis is required. Candidates should have a strong background in development economics and relevant experience at the national or international level. Familiarity with the SDGs and the UN's normative agenda is desirable, as is experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives and conducting high-quality economic research.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French, 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 UN is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process is open to applicants from under-represented member states, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities. The UN does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.