Snr Pacific Economic Officer - Macroeconomic Analysis of Low Carbon Development

 Purpose

The Economic Officer will take a leading role in the development of a Low Emissions Development Strategy (LEDS) for Vanuatu and provide macroeconomic analysis support to other countries in the Pacific. The LEDS aims to support the country achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) by leveraging its natural resources and strategic economic sectors. The Senior Economic Officer will be responsible for developing substantive inputs and analyses to the development, delivery, and assessment of LEDS project in Vanuatu and other countries in the Pacific.

The incumbent will:

• Assess the macroeconomic effects and socio-economic benefits of low carbon options to inform the development of the Vanuatu LEDS towards an economically robust decarbonization pathway.
• Identify technically, politically and economically feasible low-carbon development options that have potential to mitigate GHG emissions growth and enhance sinks and a country’s resilience
• Identify the potential evolution of specific sectors (e.g. power, transport, industry, forestry, etc.) in a Business-As-Usual (BAU) scenario (i.e. in the absence of additional low carbon policies and actions).
• Assess the potential for gender equality, women’s empowerment, social inclusion and poverty alleviation in the proposed low-carbon options.

Engagement

The Senior Economic Officer will report to GGGI Country Representatives in the Pacific. S/he will identify low carbon policy and planning activities in collaboration with GGGI’s Pacific in-country teams, and other units and divisions of GGGI, including the Climate Action and Inclusive Development (CAID) team. The Senior Economic Officer will provide evidence based economic research and modelling to support member and partner countries as well as provide advice, policy options and an action plans to Pacific governments on adjustment/enhancement of their NDCs based on the findings of the analysis and the approved long-term strategy.

Delivery

The roles and responsibilities of the Senior Economic Officer include:

• Develop LEDS project work plan, including agreed timeline
• Prepare governance structure for implementation and Monitoring and Evaluation framework and outline of Vanuatu’s LEDS Document
• Collect sectoral data to develop business as usual (BAU) projections for the economy and development
• Develop a “no action” (BAU) and baseline scenarios to the year 2050 incorporating the data and projections for economy and development, energy demand and supply, land use, GHG emissions, and future climate conditions based in large part on the national GHG inventory
• Provides training to the governmental officials in LEDS process and tools/models to discuss the definition of low-emission develop scenario phases and plans for BAU and other scenario development
• Establish LEDS Steering Committee including list of members, criteria for membership and description of role, and identify sectoral stakeholder consultation groups
• Prioritize sector-level assessments of public policies and investments required for implementing the selected low carbon options
• Identify, recruit, and manage appropriate project staff and consultants in support of project delivery

Requirements

 Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in economics, econometrics, environmental economics, or related area is required.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in macroeconomic modelling, or economic forecasting in the context of low carbon development and green growth.
• Experience in cost-benefit or marginal abatement cost analysis for climate mitigation and/or climate adaptation is required
• Experience in applied economics/econometrics, research, and quantitative analysis in one or more thematic areas related to climate change and low carbon development,
• Comprehensive understanding of the concept of green economic recovery and of economic policy and regulatory approaches in developing and emerging economies and of recent developments and global trends and a clear understanding of The Paris Agreement, Long Term - Low Emission Development Strategies and Nationally Determined Contributions and related concepts is strongly preferred,
• Experience in international organizations and/or in government sector, working in SIDS or with developing countries is a strength. Experience in the Pacific and/or Vanuatu is an advantage.
• Fluency in English and excellent report writing skills are essential.
• Willingness and ability to travel within the Pacific.

Functional

• Leadership, teamwork and creative problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work independently while following agreed work plans and instructions
• Ability to communicate effectively including strong oral and writing skills to publish technical reports, policy briefs, journal papers on topics relevant to economics of climate change and green growth,
• High degree of professional integrity, work successfully as part of an international team effectively, deliver expected outputs on time, effectively communicate with and listen to others, and coordinate across an organization and with external partners.
• Excellent multi-cultural literacy and interest in being a part of an international team working in an evolving and entrepreneurial environment
• Excellent communication (both written and oral), ICT and facilitation skills.
• Problem solver, able to find and implement solutions
• Innovative thinker, able to see opportunities across different sectors/disciplines
• Anticipate and provide necessary technical and content-based support
• Applies sufficient technical skills to acquire relevant information/knowledge from a variety of sources which are often difficult to access, in support of delivery of a good quality output.

Corporate

• Understand and actively supports GGGI’s mission, vision and values.
• Promote the best use of public resources
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.
• Process and share information easily.
• Manage emotions and stress positively, builds rapport and resolves conflict easily.
• Promote creativity and innovation among staff and consultants.
• Be able to lead and manage a project independently, while knowing when to seek advice and liaise closely with the Pacific Regional Representative to make sound decisions.
• Willingness and ability to travel

Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.