Country Economist

Suva

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Suva
Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Economics
Closing Date: 2025-04-11

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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 Country Economist 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.

Position Purpose

The Country Economist works 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 Country Economist 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.

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.

In this respect, the Country Economist 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

Advise UNDP Country Office management and programme teams to strengthen programme development and implementation;

Advise UNDP Country Office management with the preparation and implementation of country programmes and strategies, including the development of country programme document (CPD) 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 and regional levels;
Lead the development of the 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 to support innovative knowledge work 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;
Advise and 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;
Guide t 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 strengthen UNDP’s support on economic analysis and policy development for the Government 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 development solutions;
Contribute to national, regional, and global 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.

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: None

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

Cross-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

Business Management-Partnerships management:Ability to 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

2030 Agenda: Prosperity-Inclusive Growth:Economic Transformation, Policy, and Planning

2030 Agenda: Prosperity-Inclusive Growth:Economic Diversification

2030 Agenda: Prosperity-Inclusive Growth:Poverty and Human Development

2030 Agenda: Prosperity-Inclusive Growth:SDGs/National Development Strategy, Planning and Budgeting

Required Skills and Experience

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 or related field 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 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.
Proven Experience on developing and managing blue economy/prosperity initiatives and portfolios is required.
Proven policy, advisory, and advocacy experience is required.
Demonstrated understanding of climate finance and SDG finance instruments is required.
Experience in preparing high-quality policy briefs and guidance notes for use by senior policymakers is required.
Experience in strategic visioning with strong technical and highly developed analytical capabilities is desired.
Knowledge of the SDGs and 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 desired.
Previous work experience in Asia and the Pacific region and cross-country experience would be an asset.

Languages:

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

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

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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