Development Economist - NOB

Bogotá

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Bogotá
Grade: Junior level - NO-B, National Professional Officer - Locally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Economics
Closing Date: Closed

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.

The current UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021, establishes as a vision for the organization to help countries achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for the sustainable development and creating resilience in the face of crisis and shocks. The foregoing, in response to the changing panorama of development and the evolution of the needs of the UNDP Partners. By 2021, it´s s expected for UNDP to 1) Strengthening its relevance as a trustworthy partner in a complex and changing development landscape, firmly committed to its mandate to eradicate poverty; 2) Be more agile, innovative and enterprising: an intellectual reference that assumes and manage the risks; 3) Be more effective and efficient in the use of resources to obtain results. In the same way, the following progress aims to be consolidated: 1) The eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, and the maintenance of people outside poverty; 2) The acceleration of structural transformations for sustainable development, in particular through innovative solutions that have multiplier effects in all the Sustainable Development Goals; 3) The creation of resilience in the face of crises and disturbances, in order to safeguard the achievements made in terms of development. UNDP intends to strengthen the commitment to work in collaboration with governments, civil society and the private sector, in order to respond to the needs of the country.

Additionally, the 2021-2024 UNDP Country Program Document (CPD) seeks to support the efforts of the Colombian government for the transition towards peace, and the consolidation of its position as an upper-middle-income country through the following work priorities: 1) Stabilization of the policy: "Peace with Legality" 2) Migration as a factor of development and 3) Technical assistance as an accelerator for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Within this framework, UNDP Colombia Office covering 28 departments in 319 municipalities, works in alliance with the Government - at the national and local levels - the private sector and social organizations in prioritizing actions that allow transforming living conditions of the most vulnerable populations. Currently, it faces challenges of national relevance, related to its contribution to the National Government, other agencies of the United Nations system and other counterparts, in matters that have to do with a scenario of implementation of the peace process in Colombia, attention to the pandemic COVID19 and other important initiatives for the country.

At the programmatic level, the office in Colombia is organized into two Clusters that work in an articulated manner on different development initiatives: The Inclusive Sustainable Growth Cluster groups together the Sustainable Development and Poverty and Inequality Reduction portfolios and the Cluster of Peace Development and Inclusive Governance that brings together the Inclusive Governance, Peace Development and Recuperation and Crisis Response and Rule of Law Portfolios.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Resident Representative in close articulation with the Deputy Resident Representative, the Development Economist will coordinate the SDG, Human Development and Development Policy publications of UNDP Colombia. The Development Economist will provide analytical, policy-relevant, support to the Resident Representative and through her to the Country Office (CO) and to key stakeholders and decision makers on a range of policies to promote sustainable development and achieve the SDGs. These policy areas include but are not limited to: (i) productivity, (ii) inclusion; (iii) resilience; and (iv) effective governance. S/he will also provide guidance on the CO’s programs and activities, ensuring relevance and coherence of the programme with the Strategic Plan and Country Programme Document. Furthermore, s/he will coordinate on monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on the economic conditions, trends, and forecasts of the country.

To achieve this goal the Development Economist will create and maintain expert networks on development issues in the country and when relevant in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. He/she will provide technical expertise to UNDP Colombia Country Office, be a policy expert under the oversight and supervision of the Resident Representative in close articulation with the Deputy Resident Representative, maintaining direct working relations with programme portfolios such as Peace Development and Recuperation, Crisis Response and Rule of Law, Inclusive Governance, Sustainable Development and Poverty and Inequality Reduction , and the overall Global Policy Network, Panama Regional Hub and others. The incumbent will also play a critical role in contributing to support the public advocacy function of the Resident Representative by strengthening UNDP’s brand as a thought leader on human development and the SDG in the country. In so doing he/she lends support to the joint efforts of the UN inter-agency to support Colombia’s HD and SDG agenda in a coordinated manner. He/she will work in coordination with a team of experts and will be responsible for coordinating with the staff in other units and for promoting the full use of staff potential within the teams and keeping them informed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide technical expertise to UNDP Colombia Country Office on key economic and development issues including productivity, resilience, inclusion and effective governance.
Strengthen knowledge creation and analysis on development issues within Colombia and position UNDP as a thought leader on development issues in the country.
Participate in and organize relevant fora to deepen the conversation about the technical expertise necessary to achieve the SDGs.
Support the Resident Representative’s oversight role, proposing issues to be addressed through the national programme boards and following-up on decisions involving UNDP or requiring action from UNDP on economic issues, HD and SDGs.

Provide technical expertise to UNDP Colombia Country Office on key economic and development issues including productivity, resilience, inclusion and effective governance.

Analyze economic data and monitor development trends and issues.
Prepare briefs and speeches, as required for the Resident Representative, on emerging global and regional development trends, and advise on implications for policies and programmes in the region.
Coordinate the provision of regional analysis and perspectives into corporate publications and communications -- especially Human Development Reports -- in the areas of sustainable development (integrating the economic, social and environmental dimensions/) and related issues.
Maintains close links with Economists in other development partner organizations (UN system, think tanks, Regional Entities, IFIS and Partners) operating in Colombia and when pertinent in the LAC region to develop synergies and establish quality benchmarks for UNDP in promoting the national agenda;
Generates and continually updates the socio-economic country brief to support the advocacy function of the Resident Representative.

Strengthen knowledge creation and analysis on development issues within Colombia CO,

Undertake /commission analysis and research on specific topics and emerging issues related to the implementation of the country vision and strategy.
Prepares and reviews policy, concept papers and other studies as part of the process around Human Development Reports, both global/regional and national.
Contributes towards selection of economic/SDG-related subjects to be discussed in internal and external fora bringing together recognized experts on the selected subjects.

Participate in and organize relevant forums to deepen the conversation about the technical expertise necessary to achieve the SDGs.

Participates, as required, at high-level meetings and professional gatherings in the country and when pertinent in the region, articulating UNDP’s positioning on development in Colombia.
Coordinates the development of an HD and SDG advocacy plan, building on the recommendations of the CO programme, UNDP Strategic Plan, as part of the CO’s Partnership and resource mobilization strategy.
Liaises with Colombia and RBLAC HD and SDG Specialized Support Teams in the region to build proper advocacy strategies into HD and SDG-based planning processes at national level.
Develops a strategy to support the public advocacy function of the Resident Representative and strengthening his/her role as the CO’s chief HD and SDG advocate.
Supports CO in integrating SDG advocacy and RM issues into country programming processes by reading and providing inputs on draft UNDAF, CPAP, NHDR and RHDR from an HR and SDG advocacy perspective.
Liaises within the CO and BPPS and other UNDP/HQ units as appropriate to harness available internal resources to strengthen the CO’s HD and SDG advocacy efforts.

Support the Resident Representative’s oversight role, proposing issues to be addressed through the Country Programme and following up on decisions involving UNDP or requiring action from UNDP on economic issues, HD and SDGs

Assures the provision of timely and coordinated responses from the Senior Management to the CO Programmes requests for RBLAC/HQ support.
Supports the team to enhance the Resident Representative’s coordination oversight function, through liaison with the Country and when pertinent Regional Programme, structured monitoring and support on all matters of UN support policy and strategy requiring RBLAC/HQ inputs, raising issues for national discussion, and facilitating implementation.

Competencies

*Core*
Innovation Ability to make new and useful ideas work	Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully Critically assesses established methods Contributes to prototyping, piloting, and evaluating lessons / feedback
Leadership Ability to persuade others to follow	Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others Creates new opportunities for team, not just self to learn and take on new responsibilities Actively shares knowledge
People Management Ability to improve performance and satisfaction	Level 4: Models independent thinking and action Demonstrates behaviors of teamwork, collaboration, knowledge sharing, maintaining relationships
Communication Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform	Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis Communicates ideas and positions with command and confidence Finds common ground to solve problems
Delivery Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement	Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services Embraces complex challenges and opportunities for getting work done Ability to embrace challenges with minimal supervision Works to develop organizational awareness of UNDP’s approach to client service delivery and integrity and accountability
*Technical/Functional*
Strategic Planning Ability to make decisions that align with strategy, vision and mission	Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Marketplace Analysis Ability to research, discover trends, and make recommendations pertaining to a particular market	Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Data Analysis/Measurement Ability to evaluate, transform and model data to derive relevant findings. Ability to set goals and indicators and to interpret and synthesize results into usable information to inform policy, strategy, and/or action.	Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Relationship Management Ability to engage with other parties and force productive working relationships	Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Results-based Management Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results	Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Knowledge Management Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge	Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's degree in Economics with specialization on development microeconomics, Public Policy, social protection and income distribution, or related areas.

Ph.D. degree in the above topics will be desirable.

Experience:

2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level providing economic advice in development issues as well as demonstrated research/survey experience, backed up by publications on poverty-related subjects.

Work experience in UNDP and demonstrated knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures is desirable.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English and Spanish. Knowledge of another UN Official Language will be an asset.

Disclaimer

Important applicant information

All posts in the NO categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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 warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: