In addition, UNDP now has the mandate to support SDG Integration to ensure faster progress on sustainable development and offers support in four areas, (1) integrated policy and programming solutions, (2) SDG metrics, data and analysis using state-of-the-art tools for modelling and forecasting, (3) knowledge and innovation and (4) SDG Financing options to help countries identify innovative ways to expand public and private contributions to reach the 2030 agenda. Lastly, the COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted an urgent need to adopt a Systems Approach that is orientated towards building Resilience to future shocks through continuously reviewed scenario analyses.

UNDP is a long-term development partner of the Maldives for over 45 years. In the Upper Middle-Income Country context, UNDP country office in the Maldives provides technical assistance, policy and technical advisory services to the Government of Maldives in their efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); in partnership with development partners, financial institutions, private sector and civil society. In Maldives, UNDP’s programme priorities and partnerships are defined and operationalized through the Country Programme between Government of Maldives and UNDP support and contribute to the development priorities and results envisioned in the 5-year Strategic Action Plan and National Development Plan.

Position Purpose

The Economist works under the direct guidance of the Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative in close collaboration with the programme and operations teams, accelerator labs and Economist Network in the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific. S/he is a member of the Economist Network and is expected to support the activities across the Network.

The Economist integrates the activities UNDP delivers in the Maldives and ensures these contribute the greatest development impact possible. S/he makes a difference by being keenly aware of the changing development landscape, embedding a sharp strategic focus on the development interventions that matter the most, and connecting diagnostics and solutions to the politics of change and the art of delivery.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. In this respect, the Economist develops and maintains a professional network across development partner agencies, government institutions, academia, the private sector and civil society at the country level.

• Lead policy and technical advisory services to the UNDP country office management and programme teams to strengthen programme development and implementation.
• Lead policy advice to national government counterparts and other partners, especially in support of the 2030 Agenda and the introduction of sustainable and inclusive economic policies.
• Representation, advocacy, and partner engagement to support UNDP’s institutional positioning and advance its mandate, when directed by the Resident Representative.
• Contribution to UNDP’s work across the Asia-Pacific region, including collaboration with the regional economist network and analytical work on priority regional thematic areas.

Lead policy and technical advisory services to the UNDP country office management and programme team to strengthen programme development and implementation:

• Advise UNDP country office management with preparation and implementation of country programmes and strategies, including the development of country programme document and related analyses.
• Advise and support UNDP country office teams to develop and manage relevant thematic portfolios, such as activities to support inclusive growth and progress towards the SDGs.
• Lead UNDP country office efforts to conceptualize and implement the Development Finance Assessment (DFA) and accompanying process and use existing financial resources more effectively and efficiently to achieve the SDGs.
• Provide analysis and research in priority thematic areas at the country level, including publication of policy briefs or other analytical outputs.
• Support the preparation of policy briefs, background notes, speeches, talking points, presentation materials, etc. on critical development issues within the SDG framework for senior management at the country level.
• Lead the development of National Human Development Report (HDR) and ensure that it provides added value in terms of development economic analysis, updated data and information for policy formulation.
• Compile data and perform statistical analysis as required in support of country strategies and activities.
• Collaborate across UNDP teams, especially to ensure linkages to the work emerging from the network of acceleration labs.
• Advise and support the creation of large-scale development solutions to help address complex development challenges.
• Lead the expansion of country office service offers on financing for development, including innovative financing models and country specific/sector specific studies.

Lead policy advice to national government counterparts and other partners, especially in support of the 2030 Agenda and the introduction of sustainable and inclusive economic policies.

• Advise and facilitate dialogue on sustainable development issues with government officials, development partners, civil society, and the private sector
• Provide policy and programming advice and support for development planning and policy formulation at the national, sub-national and local levels.
• Support the identification and analysis of interventions that can impact multiple development goals and targets at the same time.
• Advise and support 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.
• Advise and support 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 assist in strengthening UNDP’s support on economic analysis and policy development to Government and the UN Country Team.

Representation, advocacy, and partner engagement to support UNDP’s institutional positioning and advance its mandate.

• Contribute, in close collaboration with senior management, to the development and/or strengthening of partnerships with UN agencies, IFIs, bilateral development agencies, private sector entities, and civil society.
• When delegated, represent UNDP country office in relevant forums, conferences or workshops, including to present research or programmatic results.
• Support the Resident Representative in resource mobilization and future growth strategies and contribute to the design of large-scale programme and development solutions.
• Contribute to national, regional, and global knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Promote awareness and facilitate 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.
• Stay informed about broader development, contribute to cross-portfolio initiatives, and support economist network though common analyses, frameworks and templates.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: 

Economist will be supervise and manage below positions: Tax for SDG Coordinator (NPSA8)

Project Associate (NPSA6)

Public Finance Management Analyst (NPSA9) Junior Economist/Climate Finance Analyst (NPSA9)

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

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
  • Economic Transformation,
• 2030 Agenda: Prosperity – Inclusive Growth
  • Economic Diversification
• 2030 Agenda: Prosperity – Inclusive Growth
  • Poverty and Inequality Metrics
• 2030 Agenda: Prosperity – Inclusive Growth
  • SDGs/National Development Strategy, Planning and Budgeting
• 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 – Partnerships Management
  • Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
• Business Development – Portfolio Management
  • Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management