Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
- Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
- Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
- Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
- Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries globally, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP
UNDP Indonesia delivers a complex and dynamic Country Programme aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Indonesia’s national development priorities. The Country Programme Document (CPD) 2026–2030 is structured around three integrated outcome areas:
(1) Human Development;
(2) Nature, Decarbonisation and Resilience; and
(3) Economic and Digital Transformation.
Operating within an evolving development landscape characterized by climate transition pressures, digital acceleration, fiscal constraints, and growing expectations for inclusive growth, UNDP Indonesia engages a wide range of government, development partners, private sector actors, civil society organizations, and financial institutions to deliver integrated, portfolio-based solutions at scale.
UNDP Indonesia supports the realization of Asta Cita—Indonesia’s vision for a sovereign, independent, just, and prosperous nation—through strategic collaboration with government institutions, private sector actors, civil society organizations, and international development partners. Asta Cita outlines eight national priorities, including governance reform, economic resilience, human development, environmental sustainability, and cultural advancement. Aligned with this framework, UNDP Indonesia advances integrated, cross-sectoral solutions that mobilize partnerships, policy expertise, and innovative financing to deliver inclusive and sustainable development outcomes, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Development Economist works under the guidance of the UNDP Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative in the country, and s/he will work closely with the programme and operations teams in the Country Office, Accelerator Lab, and staff in the Regional Bureau of Asia and the Pacific as well as the Global Policy Network (GPN), based in Bangkok and New York. S/he will also collaborate with the Asia- Pacific regional network of country economists. This will include systematic engagement with andoversight from the lead regional economic advisors based in Bangkok and New York. S/he is also expected to develop and maintain a professional network across development partner agencies, government institutions, the private sector, and civil society at the country level.
The Economist supervises and guides the work of policy consultants and researchers as relevant.
Summary of key functions:
- Lead policy advice and analysis on the country’s development context and trends, which can inform the country office management and programme team leaders to strengthen UNDP’s strategic positioning in development policy-making.
- Lead technical advice to the CO’s development economics and policy research works, especially in support of the 2030 Agenda and the introduction of sustainable and inclusive economic concepts and theories in Indonesia.
- Build strategic engagement and advocacy for CO team Substantively contribute to UNDP’s work across the Asia-Pacific region, including collaboration with the regional economist network and analysis of priority regional thematic areas.
- Substantively contribute to the UNDP’s work across the Asia-Pacific region.
1. Lead policy advice and development economics analysis on the country’s development context and trends, which can inform the country office to strengthen UNDP’s strategic positioning in development policy-making:
- Provide analysis and briefings to senior management to reflect emerging economic development issues and trends in Indonesia or in the global which may have an implication in the country;
- Stock take and analyze the CO’s existing efforts and gaps in different areas of work, and synergize and integrate information to develop knowledge which can inform a visionary and practical strategy to consolidate UNDP’s positioning and future opportunities
- Collaborate across UNDP teams to identify and assess risks, opportunities and entry points to enhance the policy impact of UNDP’s work and relevant linkage to UNDP programmes in Indonesia based on emerging development priorities of the country and political ambitions of the Government of Indonesia, and other Indonesian stakeholders
- Advise and facilitate the creation of large-scale development solutions to help address complex development challenges in particular relevant to developing social infrastructure, reducing inequality and sustaining livelihood resilience under the overarching climate agenda;
- Thereby, with other team leaders, facilitate the expansion of UNDP’s portfolio and services offers on digital transformation, resilience, sustainable financing, and energy transition, marine development.
2. Lead technical advice to the CO’s development economics and policy research works, especially in support of the 2030 Agenda and the introduction of sustainable and inclusive economic concepts and theories in Indonesia:
- Provide technical advice or consultation feedbacks to government counterparts in monitoring and reporting of progress related to SDGs and other national development frameworks, including to help strengthen national and local level data collection and statistical capacity as relevant;
- Facilitate to leverage UNDP’s regional and global programmes, to provide holistic and effective support to the country;
- Leverage support and expertise from the UNDP’s global/regional Economist networks to guide in strengthening UNDP’s support on economic analysis and policy development to Government and the UN Country Team.
- Supervise and guide the work of policy consultants and researchers as relevant.
3. Build strategic engagement and advocacy for CO team:
- Maintain and extend UNDP’s network of key stakeholders and experts in other UN agencies, development partners, IFIs, government entities, civil societies and academia, among which influential economic and development policymakers and thinkers in Indonesia and abroad, within the field of economics and sustainable development.
- Substantively contribute to the organization of high-level international conferences and workshops and other relevant office-wide activities such as production of analysis, papers and input to senior management on the specific topics.
- Advising the team in preparation on strategic external meetings where requested.
- In close consultation with relevant stakeholders, and in alignment with the office’s strategy and priorities, identify opportunities for collaborative work and help initiate new projects, actively contributing to the overall office efforts in resource mobilization.
- Facilitate the preparation of senior management’s speeches, talking points, presentation materials, etc. on critical development issues within the SDG framework for senior management at the country and regional levels.
4. Substantively contribute to the UNDP’s work across the Asia-Pacific region, including collaboration with the regional economist network and analysis of priority regional thematic areas:
- Participate actively in the UNDP Asia-Pacific regional network of Economists, through attending regional meetings (in-person and/or virtual), sharing relevant experiences, and conducting peer reviews.
- Collaborate and contribute to regional publications, practice notes, and Regional Human Development Reports.
- Substantively contribute as possible to UNDP regional knowledge products and development of programming offers in regional priority areas (e.g., inequality, future of work, innovative financing);
- Enhance UNDP’s understanding and design of new approaches to sustainable development across the region by acting as a regional thematic lead where possible.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core 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:
2030 Agenda: Prosperity
- Inclusive Growth: Future of work, automation and technology; Economic Transformation, Policy and Planning
Business direction and strategy
- System 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.
2030 Agenda- People
- Gender: Gender mainstreaming
2030 Agenda : Engagement and Effectiveness
- Strategic Policy Engagement: Economic forecasting; Horizon-scanning and future of development
Business development
- Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Development Economics, Environmental Economics, Social and Public Policies, or related fields is required. Or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- A Ph. D. in Economics, Development Economics, Environmental Economics, Social and Public Policies, or related fields is an advantage.
Experience:
- Minimum of 7 years (master's degree) or 9 years (bachelor's degree) of experience in sustainable development issues, including economic research, policy, and implementation advisory at international organizations or think tanks.
Required skills:
- Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data.
- Proven analytical skills and ability to conceptualize strategic intervention.
Desired Skills:
- Extensive experience in technical advice to national stakeholders and policy-level analysis.
Extensive experience in preparing high quality policy briefs and guidance notes for use by senior policy makers. - Experience of strategic visioning with strong technical and highly developed analytical capabilities.
- Experience and solid knowledge of the climate change and sustainable development, development finance at the national level.
- Politically intelligent with demonstrated experience in stakeholder analysis and engagement.
- Experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced software programmes for statistical analysis ofdata.
- Previous work experience in Indonesia or Asia and the Pacific region
- Knowledge of and experience in supporting UN/UNDP funded project
- Experience working with government or international organization.
Required Language(s)
- Fluency in English is required.
- Working knowledge of another UN language is desired
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.
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.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
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.
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