Development Economist

Background

UNDP works with developing countries in Asia Pacific to improve how sustainable development policies and programmes are designed and implemented. We help develop the capacity of governments to formulate strategies and public policies that promote human development, reduce poverty and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UNDP responds to requests from countries to adapt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with the SDGs at its core, to national sub-national and local conditions and realities, incorporating regional and global perspectives. It offers support to both national and local governments in localizing, mainstreaming, and accelerating the SDGs implementation as well as works to influence national policy-making with a view to creating an enabling environment for action at local and regional levels.

The overall objective of the assignment is to strengthen the effectiveness and impact of UNDP’s support to the 2030 Agenda in Malaysia and the region overall through the provision of high-quality economic analysis.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative (Programme), the Development Economist will support the work of the Malaysia UNDP Country Office in providing high-quality economic analysis and policy advice to facilitate the integration of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs into national development systems.? S/he will also advise the management on macroeconomic policies and trends and relevant linkages to UNDP programme.? The Development Economist will also provide analysis for formulation strategies and briefings to Management Team and works closely with Government counterparts to identify macroeconomic policy options and to enhance the policy impact of UNDP projects and programmes.

The Development Economist will work with the Programme and Operations team, and collaborate with and support Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH) colleagues and the UNDP Asia-Pacific regional network of Country Office economists. S/he will also develop and maintains a network of colleagues from UN Agencies, IFIs, Government Officials, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society.?

S/he will be expected to be based in UNDP Malaysia and to report for work daily (5 days a week) in Putrajaya.? Remunerations will be based on time sheet and milestone basis.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

• Advice and support to UNDP management on economic and development issues
• Advice to Government counterparts and facilitation of knowledge building on economic and development issues
• Creation of strategic partnerships and support to resource mobilization
• Advocacy and promotion of UNDP’s mandate and mission
• Contribution to UNDP’s work across the Asia-Pacific region in selected priority areas, with particular focus on innovative financing for the SDGs and Islamic finance.

1. Provides advice and support to UNDP management, programme and projects focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Monthly compilation, analysis and interpretation of economic and statistical data, thorough research of the economic and development issues in the country and preparation of top quality analysis and reports;
• Analysis of economic, social and political economy issues relevant to the successful implementation of the SDGs in Malaysia (in line with the 11th Malaysia Plan), preparation for the 12 Malaysia Plan and/or the region overall;
• Analysis of the national development planning system, and provision of policy advice and support to effectively integrate the SDGs into national, sub-national and local planning policies and processes;
• Analysis of the national fiscal and budget planning and implementation systems, and provision of policy and technical advisory support to integrate the SDGs into national and local budget and finance systems;
• Identification and analysis of issues that impact upon multiple SDG Goals and targets and the development of ‘accelerator interventions’ that help unlock sustained progress across multiple development areas;
• Develop and expand Islamic Finance portfolio in meeting SDG achievement.

2.?? ?Provides advice and options to Government counterparts and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Facilitation of policy dialogue on economic issues with the Government, donors, civil society, private sector; contributions to development of policies as relevant.
• Provision of policy options, particularly from pro-poor perspectives, on macroeconomic and development issues to governments and other development actors.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice through identification of best practices and lessons learned.

3.?? ??Ensures creation of strategic partnerships, innovative financing mechansim and support to resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities;
• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation;
• Explore partnership with Islamic Finance Institutions to develop potential projects funded by Islamic Finance instruments (i.e. Zakat, Wakaf or Sukuk);
• Assistance to the Government and UNDP in resource mobilization by preparing potential pipeline projects ?for meeting with donors and the Government;
• Assist UNDP in its preparation for the next Country Programme Document and Country Programme and Action Plan;
• Support CO in managing Inclusive growth portfolio and promote adoption of SDG.

4.? ??Advocacy and promotion of awareness of UNDP mandate and mission focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Public and policy advocacy for the Sustainable Development Goals, pro-poor and equitable economic growth by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings.?
• Support to monitoring progress and formulation of strategies towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Support CO’s partnership with other UN agencies / UNDP Country offices on economic development matters.
• Publications on economic issues where applicable.

5. ???Contributes to UNDP’s work across the Asia-Pacific region in selected priority areas, with particular focus on innovative financing for the SDGs and Islamic finance, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provide technical and programmatic advice to the Malaysia CO as well as RBAP and other COs in the region on financing the SDGs, with particular emphasis on innovative financing instruments, impact/social investment, fin-tech, and Islamic finance;
• Active participation in the UNDP Asia-Pacific regional network of economists, including through attending regional meetings (in-person and/or virtual), sharing relevant experiences, and conducting peer reviews;
• Stay update to latest global, regional and in country trends on innovative SDG financing, particularly Islamic finance and substantively contribute to UNDP core regional knowledge products on areas identified as regional priorities, such as by conducting country case studies as relevant;
• Enhance UNDP’s understanding and design of new approaches to sustainable development by leading collaboration, experience sharing, and knowledge management across the regional economist network in selected thematic areas relevant to Malaysia and other countries in Asia-Pacific;
• Support the delivery of programmes and advice by other UNDP Asia-Pacific Country Offices as relevant, such as through joint analysis, experience sharing, and short-term detail assignments in selected areas of expertise (as possible).

Expected Outputs and Timeline:

• Satisfactory Submission of the workplan and inception report - July 2018;
• Monthly Compilation of Economic Analysis - August 2018 to May 2019;
• Completed and acceptance of the final report - June 2019.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to UNDP Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development;
• Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on economic issues;
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation and evaluation of development programmes and projects;
• Ability to apply economic theory to the specific country context, carry out high-quality economic research;

Management and Leadership:

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
• Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation;
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Economics, Econometrics, Mathematics, Statistics or equivalent;
• Bachelor’s Degree with 7 years working experience can be considered in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience:

• 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level;
• Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis;
• Hands-on experience in providing technical advice and designing interventions on innovative financing for the SDGs, impact/social investment and fin-tech, and including Islamic finance;
• Some experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects in preferred;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data;
• Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and how it aligns with the 11th Malaysia Plan will be an advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Bahasa Malaysia

Provision of Monitoring and Progress Controls:

The candidate will work under ARR (P) UNDP Malaysia with technical oversight and quality assurance by the Asia-Pacific Team Leader, Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development, Bangkok Regional Hub.? S/he will work in close collaboration with other staff of the country office and policy advisors of the Bangkok Regional Hub, as well as other Development Economists on assignment in the Asia-Pacific Region.

How to Apply:

• Kindly download the Letter of Confirmation of interest and availability, Financial Proposal Template, P11 form and General Terms & Conditions mentioned below;
• Completed?Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability;
• Personal CV or a P11 Personal History Form,?indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
• Read and agree to the General Terms & Conditions;
• Click the ‘apply’icon and complete what is required;
• Brief description of approach to work/technical proposal?of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a proposed methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment; (max 1 page);
• Financial Proposal?(Annex II) that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. The term "all inclusive" implies all cost (professional fees, international travel costs, living allowances etc).
• If an applicant is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the applicant must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.
• For duty travels, the UN’s Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) rates should provide?indication?of the cost of living in a duty station/destination.
• Scan all documents into 1 pdf folder and then upload;
• For clarification question, please email to procurement.my@undp.org. The clarification question deadline is three (3) days before the closing. When emailing for clarification questions, please put "MyIC/2018/013"?as the subject matter.
• Incomplete applications will be excluded from further consideration.

Forms and General terms & conditions to be downloaded:

• The UN Personal History Form (P11) is available at:http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/P11%20for%20SC%20&%20IC.doc?download
• Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability and Financial Template at: http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/MyIC_2018_014%20Letter%20of%20Interest%20and%20Financial%20Template.docx?download
• The General Terms & Conditions for Individual contract is available at:http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/General%20Conditions%20of%20Contract%20for%20IC.pdf?download
• The General Terms & Conditions for Reimbursement Loan Agreement is available at:http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/Reimbursable%20Loan%20Agreement%20_%20Terms%20&%20Conditions.pdf?download?

Important Note:

• This Consultancy position is only accepted online. Email submission is not valid;
• Applicant must READ and ACCEPT the General Terms and Conditions;
• The system DOES NOT accept multiple document upload. Please scan all the documents and save into one (1) PDF file and upload.