Economist (Economics Analyst)
Beirut
- Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
- Location: Beirut
- Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
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Occupational Groups:
- Economics
- Closing Date: Closed
Lebanon experiences an unprecedented multi-layered crisis, culminated in devastating implications that shaped the social and economic landscape marked by significant challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beirut Port explosions in August 2020, and a persistent financial and economic downturn. The cumulative impact of these crises has led to a multi-faceted downturn. GDP was estimated to have contracted by approximately 40% from 2018 to 2022, with an additional 0.5% contraction expected in 2023. The Lebanese pound has depreciated by over 98% since 2019, triggering massive losses in purchasing power, a triple-digit inflation, and the collapse of the banking sector.
Within this context, UNDP works towards supporting the Lebanese institutions to recover from the ongoing crisis, by formulating and implementing responsive strategies, policies, and programmatic interventions. The aim is to maintain and improve Lebanon’s institutional capacity in tackling the implications of the consecutive crises, to improve the country’s resilience against future social and economic shocks, and to protect against emerging vulnerabilities. at a critical time, series of multiple crises: a political impasse, economic and public service deterioration, and the erosion of the social contract and cohesion.
To this end, UNDP is running several initiatives to reactivate core government functions and to support the design and implementation of a longer-term public administrative reform vision. Two flagship initiatives are currently implemented by UNDP: 1) the Tax4SDGs initiative: which aims to reactivate core revenue functions and to support the tax administration in mobilizing domestic resources, while aligning tax policies to development objective. 2) The Lebanon Public Administrative Reform and Digitalization Project (L-PARDP): L-PARDP is a newly developed initiative by UNDP to support the Government in implementing priority reforms, while linking traditional public administration, civil service and policy reforms, with a digital transformation process that will revitalize the social contract between the Government and citizens in terms of rights and obligations. L-PARDP is positioned to re-activate core government functions and public services, and support key decision-making and reform processes while leveraging digital transformation.
To support the above role, UNDP Lebanon seeks to recruit a Economist (Economics Analyst)to support the implementation of activities and initiatives planned under the L-PARD and tax for SDGs projects.
UNDP Lebanon seeks to recruit a Economist (Economics Analyst)to support the implementation of activities under the L-PARDP and Tax for SDGs project. The role of the Economist (Economics Analyst) is key in driving support to improve economic governance, and help reactivating core government functions within selected administration within the short term. The support will include, but not limited to, institutional and capacity building in several areas such as economic and fiscal modelling for effective planning decision-making, Policy formulation and coordination, aid management, public financial management, tax policies and development targets, digital transformation, in addition to improving private sector operating environment. The Economist (Economics Analyst)will also support in developing the necessary economic analysis, research, and policy advice to UNDP senior management in consultation with the Economic Specialist to guide future programmatic work. In specific, the Economist (Economics Analyst)will:
Follow up on the implementation of existing initiatives, joint programmes and technical support activities provided by UNDP in the areas of economic governance, economic development, institutional building, public administrative reform, digitalization, data and statistics. public financial management, and tax policies. Particularly, he/she will support various initiatives planned under the L-PARDP Project and Tax for SDGs project. The support will include:
- Follow up on the implementation of ongoing and planned activities, while closely working with relevant counterparts including government agencies, other UNDP programmes and projects, UN partners, consultants and others.
- Participate in the design of strategies and workplans and ensure timely and good-quality implementation of activities under the different initiatives.
- Participate in the mobilization of personnel, goods, and services and ensure that deliverables follow the pre-set requirements, including the preparation of high-quality terms of reference.
- Support in monitoring progress on the activities and report on projects’ progress, implementation issues, emerging risks/challenges, and put forth proposals for necessary mitigation and remedial actions.
- Perform financial transactions related to the implemented activities, ensuring compliance with UNDP rules and procedures, and maintaining accuracy and reliability of financial reports; monitor budget implementation and participate in the preparation of budget re-alignment and revisions as necessary.
- Support in in the preparation of reviews and evaluations related to the implemented activities and programmes.
Support in the production of high-quality socio-economic analysis that would feed into the design and development of policy initiatives and implementation of UNDP programmatic interventions focusing on the following:
- Develop, update, and maintain macro-economic, social, fiscal, and financial datasets to be used for tracking socio-economic developments and preparation of regular economic briefs.
- Perform data crunching and data analysis when needed.
- Contribute to the preparation of policy briefs, background papers, concept notes, reports, proposals, talking points, presentation materials and factsheets.
- Contribute to research initiatives in various economic domains including poverty, productive sectors, public finance, socio-economic impact assessments, SDG -related analysis and strategies, and others.
- Participate in the analysis of economic context and synthesis of proposals on possible areas for UNDP support to ensure that UNDP programmes are in line with national policies and that UNDP priorities are strategically positioned and aligned with the emerging developments.
Support in maintaining and fostering UNDP strategic partnerships by focusing on the following
- Participate in relevant forums, conferences and trainings.
- Support in formulation of initiatives and monitoring progress towards the achievement of the SDGs.
- Contribute to policy dialogue on socio-economic issues with the Government, donors, civil society, private sector.
- Contribute to the review of documents and papers, prepared within UNDP and/or UN agencies, and provide feedback whenever requested.
- Ensure regular sharing of information among relevant UNDP programmes, UN agencies and other development partners.
- Represent UNDP in working groups and meetings when requested and prepare and share the minutes of meetings.
Institutional Arrangement
The selected incumbent will be working under the overall guidance and under the direct supervision of Economic Specialist (Economist).
Core | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Achieve Results: | LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Think Innovatively: | LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Learn Continuously: | LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Adapt with Agility: | LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Act with Determination: | LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Engage and Partner: | LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: | LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
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Min. Education requirements |
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Min. years of relevant work experience |
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Required skills |
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Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section |
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Required Language(s) | Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic. French is a plus |