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 Rwanda is entering a transformative era with the rollout of its Country Programme Document (CPD 2025-2029), fully aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and designed to support Rwanda's National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Vision 2050. This vision aspires to transition Rwanda into a high-income, climate-resilient, and carbon-neutral economy by 2050. The CPD is structured around two transformative pillars: (i) Environment and Economic Transformation, focusing on nature-positive solutions, and (ii) Transformational Governance.
Rwanda has made significant strides in economic growth, with the Human Development Index increasing by 119% between 1990 and 2018—the highest growth rate globally. However, 38.2% of the population lives below the poverty line, with 16% in extreme poverty. The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) reveals that nearly half of the population faces multidimensional poverty, disproportionately affecting women, youth, rural communities, and other vulnerable groups. High unemployment (16.8%) and inequality (Gini coefficient of 0.429) further constrain equitable growth. These challenges are compounded by reliance on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture and energy, making the population highly vulnerable to climate shocks.
UNDP's Strategic Plan (2026-2029) emphasizes addressing systemic poverty and inequality through integrated, inclusive approaches. UNDP Rwanda's new CPD reflects this vision by fostering inclusive economic growth, enhancing resilience, and empowering vulnerable populations, particularly women, youth, and informal workers.
Central to these efforts is the Inclusive Growth, Economic Analysis, Employment, and Trade Unit (GREAT Unit), which combines rigorous economic and policy analysis with strategic programme implementation. The unit plays a critical role in conducting research and producing analytical reports that inform decision-making on inclusive economic development, the design of programmes and projects, and assessment of UNDP impact. The unit supports high-level policy dialogue, national planning, SDG tracking, and evidence-based programming, while also leading the coordination and dissemination of Human Development Reports (national and global) and driving SDG advocacy through data-driven, inclusive, and sustainable development solutions.
The unit supports UNDP and the UN Country Team in delivering on the CPD, Common Country Analysis (CCA), and UNSDCF, ensuring alignment of SDG implementation with national development priorities. The Programme Unit works to support achievement of UNDP strategic objectives to create a world where people and planet thrive together, and to help the Country Office act with both ambition and scale to address urgent development challenges facing the country.
Position Purpose
Under the strategic guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative (RR), the Economic Specialist serves as Programme Specialist and Head of the Inclusive Growth, Economic Analysis, Employment, and Trade (GREAT) Unit, providing strategic leadership for the Country Office’s inclusive growth portfolio while delivering high-quality economic policy analysis and advisory services.. This position uniquely combines authoritative economic policy expertise with strategic programme leadership to deliver evidence-based development solutions.
The Economic Specialist provides high-level economic policy advice to Senior Management, government counterparts, and partners on economic policies, trends, and linkages to UNDP programmes. The position monitors economic policy developments, produces analytical reports and policy briefs, and provides strategic analysis for formulation of strategies and senior-level briefings. The Economic Specialist works closely with Government counterparts to identify alternative economic policy options and enhance the policy impact of UNDP projects and programmes.
Programme management responsibilities include leading the unit team in strategic planning, identifying new programme areas and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities, and monitoring programme implementation to ensure consistency with CPD priorities. The Economic Specialist heads and supervises a team of UNDP experts, international and national consultants, and project staff.
The Economic Specialist interacts collaboratively with the Programme and Operations team in the CO, Programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP staff in HQs and Regional Hubs, technical advisors and experts, government officials and partners, international financial institutions, donors, and civil society to successfully implement the UNDP programme and contribute to UNDP's policy dialogue and strategic networks.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities
1) Lead economic policy analysis, advisory services, and strategic inputs to UNDP and CO management, programmes and projects
- Analyze and interpret economic and statistical data; conduct thorough research on economic and development issues; and produce high-quality analytical reports, policy briefs, and knowledge products aimed at promoting equitable economic growth and human development. This includes contributions to research from other units on development, economic analysis, trade, and related areas;
- Provide authoritative economic policy advice to Senior Management, government counterparts, and partners on inclusive growth, structural transformation, trade, investment, entrepreneurship, and innovation to inform UNDP programming and national development strategies;
- Provide top quality analysis and substantive inputs to Common Country Assessments (CCA), UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), Country Programme Document (CPD), and other strategic documents;
- Select strategic research topics, surveys and case studies. Produce and launch economic reports, including National Human Development Reports;
- Provide authoritative advice on possible areas for UNDP support and adjustment of ongoing programmes to ensure alignment with national priorities and policies;
- Ensure that programme strategy formulation considers youth and women's economic empowerment, digital technology opportunities and risks, trade facilitation, private sector ecosystem development, and future signals;
- Operationalize UNSDCF/CPD in collaboration with main partners and other UN Agencies;
- Establish relevant programme Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) within the Unit. Oversee workflows and ensure cross-collaboration;
- Review and sign-off proposals at programme level. Analyze, present, and implement UNDP policies in the CO.
2) Facilitate policy dialogue with Government counterparts and lead knowledge management on economic and development issues
- Facilitate policy dialogue on economic issues with Government, partners, civil society, and private sector; and contribute to development of policies as relevant;
- Provide policy options, particularly from pro-poor and sustainability perspectives, on economic and development issues to governments and other development actors;
- Assess the country's economic policies and strategies for their impact on poverty reduction, inclusive and sustainable growth, youth and women's empowerment, and private sector development;
- Provide training and capacity building support for UNDP staff, Government officials and public institutions on economic and development issues;
- Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
3) Effectively manage the programme portfolio and supervise the Inclusive Growth, Economic Analysis, Employment, and Trade Unit team
- Design and formulate CO programmes and translate UNDP priorities into local interventions. Oversee programme implementation with implementing partners;
- Lead efforts to integrate the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other bilateral and multilateral trade arrangements into national strategies, enhancing Rwanda's trade competitiveness, market access for MSMEs, and intra-African value chains in priority sectors like agriculture and manufacturing;
- Develop and strengthen partnerships with the financial sector (e.g., banks, DFIs) and private sector stakeholders to mobilize blended finance, de-risk investments, and scale inclusive growth initiatives for women, youth, and SMEs;
- Lead, organize and coordinate implementation of all unit activities in close collaboration with senior colleagues, Headquarters, and the Regional Center;
- Provide leadership in strategically utilizing portfolio management tools and practices to keep resources aligned to actual and evolving priorities;
- Provide strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing, and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Perform the function of Manager Level 2 in Quantum for development project transactions approval;
- Manage team members and relationships with donors, government and all counterparts;
- Provide practical guidance to team members and clients on UNDP's evolution towards a dynamic portfolio approach;
- Promote peer learning within the team and adapt to new thinking and approaches;
- Coordinate daily activities in close coordination with national and international stakeholders;
- Manage the team and provide proper guidance and supervision of staff, consultants and experts ensuring compliance with all UNDP rules and regulations;
- Prepare/produce written outputs including background papers, correspondence, working papers, mission reports, analyses, briefings, presentations, policy proposals and documents, and reports;
- Conduct timely projects, budget and grant reviews, revisions and monitoring, and complete related reporting obligations in accordance with UNDP policies and donor requirements;
- Organize cost-recovery system for services provided by the CO to projects in collaboration with Operations Manager.
4) Build strategic partnerships and lead resource mobilization efforts for the Inclusive Growth, Economic Analysis, Employment, and Trade Unit
- Conduct analysis and advocacy on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Rwanda and implications for growth including through publications of policy/technical briefs;
- Develop partnerships with UN Agencies, IFIs, government institutions, private sector, civil society and development partners based on strategic goals of UNDP and country priorities;
- Research and analyze information on donors and prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation;
- Undertake selected studies/research on emerging development concerns that feed into UNDP Programme and national policies and strategies;
- Lead development of CO pipeline and portfolio components including designing Programme/Project documents, concept notes, and proposals;
- Determine strategic programmatic areas of cooperation, including for joint programming, in line with agreed global, regional and national priorities;
- Produce periodic updates and briefs on country development situation for stakeholders, CO and HQ.
5) Promote awareness and facilitate advocacy for UNDP's mandate, and lead knowledge building and management for the Unit
- Lead policy advocacy for Human Development and inclusive sustainable economic growth by participating in relevant forums, conferences and training;
- Provide support to monitoring progress and formulation of strategies towards achievement of Development Goals;
- Produce high quality research papers for UNDP presentation at national and international workshops and conferences;
- Produce blogs, op-eds, and articles on development issues and UNDP Programmes and projects activities;
- Manage events and publications on economic issues, including annual Global Human Development Reports launches, and advocacy of findings among relevant governmental agencies, civil society organizations and donors;
- Identify policy-driven issues; and identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to Rwanda policy goals on inclusive growth and economic transformation;
- Establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high-impact advocacy with key partners;
- Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms;
- Organize and deliver training for operations/projects staff on programme related matters.
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.
Functional/Technical competencies
Business Direction & 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.
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 and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment;
- Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.
Business Development: Human-centered Design
- Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process Knowledge and understanding of human centered design principles and practices.
Digital: Data literacy
- Understand the potential as well as the limitations of using data driven innovation;
- Ability to use a mix of data sources (quantitative, qualitative or real-time techniques) to develop understanding, identify patterns to inform decision making or identify opportunities for further exploration.
2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness
- Crisis and Fragility Policy and Engagement: Data-Driven Risk Analysis.
2030 Agenda: Partnerships
- SDG Integration: Economic Forecasting.
Digital: Co-creation
- Ability to design and facilitate a process that enables a diverse group of stakeholders to solve a common problem, develop a practice, or create knowledge together;
- Ability to embrace diversity, work with a diverse group of stakeholders, understand their interests, perspectives and views and tap into them as a source for creativity;
- Ability to facilitate processes and create conditions that are open for diverse inputs, stimulate collaboration and sharing.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Political Sciences, Public Policy, or related field is required.
- 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.
Experience:
- Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level that includes extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis, and some experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
- Proven track record in economic policy formulation and analysis on inclusive growth, structural transformation, trade, investment, entrepreneurship, or private sector development is required;
- Demonstrated experience providing policy advice to senior government officials and national institutions is required;
- Experience and strong background in producing analytical reports, policy briefs, and economic knowledge products is required;
- Experience in programme/project design, monitoring and evaluation of development portfolios is required;
- Experience working on youth and/or women's economic empowerment, entrepreneurship development, or MSME support programmes is required;
- Advanced proficiency in statistical and econometric analysis and modeling is required;
- Experience in resource mobilization and partnership building with government, private sector, and development partners is required;
- Experience managing and supervising teams is required;
- Proven experience supporting AfCFTA and/or other bilateral and multilateral trade arrangements, including policy harmonization, private sector readiness, and trade facilitation for inclusive economic transformation is desired;
- Track record in forging finance-private sector collaborations, such as innovative financing for MSMEs or public-private partnerships aligned with regional integration agendas is desired;
- Experience with UN agencies, international development organizations, or international financial institutions is desired;
- Experience in middle/upper management roles with comparable complexity is desired;
- Experience and knowledge of Rwanda's economic context, NST2, Vision 2050, and institutional landscape is desired;
- Experience in trade facilitation, investment promotion, or private sector ecosystem development is desired.
- Experience producing Human Development Reports is desired;
- Proficiency in web-based management systems (ERP, Quantum) is desired.
Required Language(s):
- Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda is required.
- Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
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.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
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