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 Asia-Pacific region is not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On current trends, none of the goals are within reach and merely 33% of the targets are expected to be achieved by 2030. Meanwhile, human insecurity is at all-time highs, with more than half of people in most countries worried about their jobs. Looking ahead, the development landscape is likely to become more turbulent as existential threats from climate change combine with fresh headwinds to growth and job creation amidst rising governance risks.

It is against this backdrop—a large unfinished agenda, elevated levels of insecurity, and a more turbulent development landscape—that UNDP supports countries to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda and beyond. As the UN’s global development network, UNDP advocates for change, and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in over 170 countries and territories. Combining local presence with global expertise, it aspires to eradicate poverty, accelerate structural transformation, build resilience, and contribute to lasting sustainable development.

The Economist Network of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP) is one of the region’s most valuable initiatives to enhance policy support and capacity. The Network has gained additional relevance in light of the significantly more challenging context described above. In this respect, the Economic Specialist plays an important role at the country but also regional and global levels in contributing to renewed development momentum in an era of turbulence and uncertainty.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Economic Specialist for Myanmar will work under the direct guidance of the Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative in the Country Office, in close collaboration with programme and operations teams, and has a dotted line to the RBAP Chief Economist. S/he is an ambassador of the Economist Network and is expected to contribute about 20% of her/his time to activities across the Network (in other countries, the subregion or the region).

The Economic Specialist integrates the activities UNDP delivers in the region 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.

In this respect, the Economic Specialist works closely with colleagues of RBAP as well as the Global Policy Network (GPN), based in Bangkok, New York, and other locations. S/he develops and maintains a professional network across development partner agencies, government institutions, the private sector, and civil society at the country level.

The Myanmar Development Observatory (MDO) set up in early 2021, to address the lack of reliable socioeconomic indicators following the political upheaval. Focusing on three cross-cutting pillars — socio-economic analysis, SDG monitoring, and conflict analysis.  The MDO is recognized as an important knowledge hub in the country. It has received acknowledgments for its high-quality papers, international media coverage and invitations to present findings at webinars organized by other institutions. The MDO is an ”enabling project” of the current Community First Programme (CFP) being implemented by the CO.

The Myanmar Economic Specialist will lead the work of the MDO and lead the publication of high-quality research papers which will be disseminated widely after a rigorous quality assurance process specific to crisis countries. In addition, s/he will ensure close collaboration with all other field-based projects under CFP by providing appropriate analytical support to those throughout their implementation.

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.

Key duties and accountabilities include:

Advise UNDP Country Office management and programme teams to formulate key analyses and to strengthen programme development and implementation:

• Lead the formulation and implementation of key analyses relating to development regressions, socio-economic conditions and conflict.
• Advise UNDP Country Office management with the preparation and implementation of country programmes and strategies including the CFP;
• 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;
• Provide analysis and research in priority thematic areas at the country level, including publication of policy briefs or other analytical outputs;
• Guide the preparation of policy briefs, background notes, speeches, talking points, presentation materials, etc., on critical issues within the nexus framework for senior management at the country and regional levels;
• Compile data and perform statistical analysis as required to support innovative knowledge work CO strategies and activities;
• Advise and support the creation of localized development solutions to help addressthe multi-dimenisonal crisis engulfing the country .
• Inform the expansion of Country Office service offers and lead country specific/sector specific studies.

Inform UNDP policy and programs in a complex crisis setting especially in building community resilience to current and anticipated shocks: 

• Advise and facilitate dialogue on appropriate crisis responses with development partners, civil society, and the private sector;
• Advise and support the identification and analysis of interventions that can impact multiple development goals and targets at the same time in a crisis setting;
• Advise and support monitoring and reporting of regressions related to SDGs (subject to data availability) and other development frameworks, including to help strengthen non-state data collection and statistical capacity to inform stakeholders;
• Leverage UNDP’s regional and global programmes, to provide holistic and effective support to the people of the country;
• Leverage support and expertise from the UNDP’s global/regional Economist networks to strengthen UNDP’s support on economic analysis and policy development for the development partners and the UN Country Team.

Advocate and engage with partners to support UNDP’s institutional positioning and advance its mandate, when directed by the Resident Representative:

• 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 the UNDP Country Office in relevant forums, conferences, or workshops, including presenting research or programmatic results;
• Facilitate the Resident Representative in resource mobilization and future growth strategies and contribute to the design of large-scale programme and nexus-based solutions;
• Contribute to relevant knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Contribute to UNDP’s work across the Asia-Pacific region, including collaboration with RBAP’s Economist Network, sub-regional and other Country Offices, and analytical work on priority regional thematic areas:

• 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, development strategies, economic governance, political economy);
• Participate actively in the Economist Network of RBAP by attending regional meetings (in-person and/or virtual), sharing relevant experiences, and conducting peer reviews;
• Collaborate and contribute to regional and sub-regional publications, practice notes, and Regional Human Development Reports;
• Stay informed about broader developments, contribute to cross-border and cross-GPN initiatives, and support the economist network through common analyses, frameworks, and templates;
• Enhance UNDP’s understanding and design of new approaches to sustainable development across the region by acting as a regional thematic lead where possible.

Other Duties: 

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: 

• Manage and supervise a Project Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics or related field is required; Or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in Economics in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.
• A Ph.D. in Economics is an asset.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

• Minimum of 7 years (with master´s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor´s degree) of experience at the national or international level in relevant areas of economic research and policy and implementation support is required.
• Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis is required with significant publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or policy relevant research.
• Proven policy, advisory, and advocacy experience is required.
• Experience in preparing high-quality policy briefs and guidance notes is desired.
• Experience in strategic visioning with strong technical and highly developed analytical capabilities is desired.
• Knowledge of the SDGs and experience in their application at the national level, politically astute with demonstrated experience in stakeholder analysis and engagement is an asset.
• Experience in handling data and software programmes for statistical analysis is required.
• Previous work experience in Asia and the Pacific region, including crisis countries, and cross-country experience would be an asset.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

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.

People Management Competencies: 

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies: 

2030 Agenda: Prosperity: Inclusive Growth

• Economic Transformation, Policy, and Planning.
• Economic Diversification.

2030 Agenda: Prosperity: Inclusive Growth

• Multidimensional poverty and human development.

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, donor 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.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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