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BACKGROUND

The Assad regime has ended with extraordinary speed and having endured seemingly perpetual suffering loss and oppression, the Syrian people now face the prospect of a new future. Over the last 14 years Syrians have suffered catastrophic losses; the displacement of 14 million citizens from their homes; a collective grief for the half a million lives lost in conflict; despair for those who were detained or imprisoned for their political opposition. Syrians have lived through the severity of protracted crisis with no real signs of a political process or solution, existing within a complete lack of accountability for the suffering endured.

For the first time in more than a decade the prospect of peace exists, albeit a precarious possibility that is complicated by the tolls and divisions endemic to protracted crisis conditions. The new political shift presents the opportunity for a new Syria that Syrians themselves must be supported to determine.

It is paramount that UNDP together with the wider UN family, supports the Syrian people on a path towards peace and stability. The gains made to counter risks of further dissolution and to safeguard basic services and civil space and to push for sustainable economic recovery and inclusive growth in the transitional period, will determine much for the prospects of a peaceful transition to a new government of the Syrian people’s own choosing. The actions of UNDP to identify and respond to these immediate and critical needs of the Syrian people, appropriate to the conditions on the ground, will offer a vital channel of support to the collective efforts of the UN to protect and uphold a route towards socio-economic recovery and sustainable peace.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilience to crises and disasters. Working with our vast network of experts and partners in over 170 countries, we help nations to create integrated and lasting solutions for people and the planet. 

UNDP Syria operates in a highly complex and challenging environment, shaped by over a decade of conflict, widespread displacement, economic instability, and recurrent natural disasters. The Syria Country Programme focuses on three critical areas: 1) Promoting socio-economic recovery, inclusive growth, and Finance; 2) Strengthening local governance, rule of law, and peacebuilding; and 3) Supporting Energy, Environment, and Climate change. The programme emphasizes an area-based approach to tailor interventions to the specific needs of local communities and supports the vision of sustainable peace and socio-economic recovery for all Syrians.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and the UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) 2022–2025 are fully aligned with the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. They prioritize resilience-building efforts while addressing the pressing humanitarian-development nexus. UNDP Syria aims to bridge immediate recovery needs with long-term development goals, focusing on policy support and institutional capacity building, economic recovery and private sector development, poverty reduction, social protection, and Human capital development, inclusive governance, equitable access to basic and social services, sustainable livelihoods, and climate action. Similarly, the next CPD (2026-2030) will take the above priorities and the changing context into account.

The Programme Team is responsible for the design, oversight, and quality assurance of all projects and programmes, ensuring full alignment with the priorities set out in the Country Programme Document (CPD) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The inclusive growth and finance pillar plays a central role in advancing UNDP Syria’s programmatic support: policy support and institutional capacity building, economic recovery and private sector development, Financial inclusion, poverty reduction, social protection and inclusion, and Human capital development. By providing technical expertise and high-level advice, the team ensures that all programme outcomes contribute to the strategic objectives of UNDP and the broader UN system. 

Programme staff actively engage with diverse stakeholders, including government entities, development partners, civil society, private sector actors, and UNDP’s regional and headquarters offices, to foster partnerships, share knowledge, and catalyse innovative solutions. The team leads resource mobilization efforts, develops strategic partnerships, and identifies opportunities for new initiatives, including joint programming. Throughout the programme cycle, the team adheres to UNDP’s quality standards and policies, ensuring the effective implementation of activities that align with the strategic direction of the Country Office and the broader UN cooperation framework. By maintaining strong partnerships with governments, development institutions, UN agencies, and donors, the Inclusive Growth Programme Team plays a pivotal role in addressing Syria’s Socio-economic recovery and resilience needs. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSABILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Inclusive Growth and Finance (IGF) Programme Specialist – Team Leader, the Economist will be responsible to advise UNDP inclusive growth programme teams and area offices on macroeconomic and microeconomic trends, policies and relevant linkages to UNDP programmes with a strong focus on gender. The Economist provides analysis and technical advice to the  IGF – Team leader, with a view to enhancing the policy impact of UNDP projects and programmes, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. S/he monitors economic trends at the national and local level as well as economic policy developments, undertakes in-depth analysis and research, produces key briefings and reports and contributes to UNDP’s dialogue with partners and stakeholders. 

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of interconnected nature of development risks & crises that the world is facing and that call for assembling of multidisciplinary teams for an integrated & systemic response.

Provides analysis and advice to IGF pillar on programmes and projects focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Compilation, analysis and interpretation of economic and statistical data, in particular on macroeconomics, through research of the economic and development issues in the country and production of relevant reports aimed at promoting resilience and local economic recovery. 
• Provision of gender, youth and disability sensitive and specific analysis on macro and microeconomy.   
• Provision of analysis on international and regional political economics impacts and correlation on macroeconomics of the country, including trade, import and export, sanctions, and financial integration. 
• Provision of top-quality analysis and substantive inputs to Country Office strategic documents, including but not limited to the Strategic Framework (SF), the Country Programme Document, the Annual Workplan, etc. 
• Participation and provision of technical advice to the SF Outcome groups on analysis, technical coordination with the Government and data and information management. 
• Provision of authoritative advice on possible areas for UNDP support and strengthening/adjustment of on-going IGF programmes and projects to ensure that UNDP interventions are integrated, sustainable and build the foundation for inclusive local economic recovery and resilience.
• Selection and production of strategic research topics, surveys and/or case studies.
• Production and launch of economic reports, including national and local reports on socio-economic impact of the crisis.
• Formulation and facilitation of UNDP inputs and CO support to national poverty reduction efforts, poverty and vulnerability mapping and measurement.
• Participation in inter-agency initiatives related to economic issues.

Facilitation of knowledge building and sharing focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Facilitation of knowledge building and sharing on economic issues for the IGF programme and across the Country Office as well as with key partners, including UN agencies, donors, civil society, and the private sector. Raise awareness on inclusive recovery based on gender, disability, and youth focused analysis. 
• Advice on policy options, particularly from pro-poor perspectives, on macroeconomic and early recovery issues based on analysis and projection of the political economic situation in the country.
• Facilitation of knowledge building and development of policy options on green economic recovery for the country, mainstreaming climate change mitigation and adaptation. 
• Capture best practices and lessons learnt on economic recovery programmes from the Syrian context and other relevant contexts.
• Keeping abreast of past and new country macro-economic policies and provision of up-to-date analysis on their impact on both macroeconomics and microeconomics such as poverty reduction, employment, growth, equity, etc.
• Support the design of assessment tools that consider the needs of communities with strong gender lens. 
• Training and capacity building and development support for UNDP staff on economic and basic statistical issues.

Participates in the building and fostering strategic partnerships focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Support partnerships with the UN Agencies, national and local counterparts, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society on UNDP goals, people’s needs and donor priorities.
• Production of periodic updates and briefs on country economic and development situation to be used by stakeholders, CO and HQ.
• Facilitate and contribute to selected studies/research on emerging development concerns that feed into government/development partners processes.
• Active membership within Country-level interagency working groups on poverty, SDGs and economics.
• Explore new partnerships with national and international think-tanks, universities to jointly conduct research, analyses, and knowledge products and events on economic issues. 

Participate in the advocacy and promotion of awareness of UNDP’s mandate and mission focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Policy advocacy for the Sustainable Development Goals, economic recovery, and leaving no one behind by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings.
• Support the production of high-quality research papers for UNDP presentation at national and international workshops and conferences.
• Support to monitoring progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Participate in events and publications on economic issues, including annual Global Human Development Reports launches in the country, advocacy of the main Reports findings among relevant stakeholders and partners.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: N/A

COMPETENCIES

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL & TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Business Direction & Strategy

• Strategic Thinking: Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Management

• Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management
• Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making

2030 Agenda: Prosperity

• Inclusive Growth: SDGs/National Development Strategy, Planning and Budgeting

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness

• SDG Integration: Economy-wide analysis. Economic forecasting

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Development Studies or a related area is required OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree 
• A PhD in Economics or related field is desirable.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

• A minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively professional experience in the field of economics, international development, sustainable development, and socio-economic development, early recovery and resilience programmes is required.
• Knowledge and experience of research and economic policy-level analysis is required.
• Experience in the design, monitoring and evaluation of economic policy and programming in development and/or early recovery projects is required.
• Experience in economic data analysis is highly desired.
• Proven track record in program monitoring and/or management support is highly desired.
• Experience of working in crisis or conflict country is highly desired.
• Experience of working with large multi-disciplinary and regional teams including previous UN agencies and/or multilateral and bi-lateral development organizations is highly desired.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and working knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, as well as experience in the handling of web based management systems is required

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in Arabic and English is required. 

Disclaimer:

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.