National Economist at UNDP

Job ID: 26232
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Practice Area - Job Family: Management - ECONOMICS
Vacancy Type: FTA Local
Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension
Grade: NOC

Background

• UNDP in Nigeria is implementing a Country Programme covering the period 2018 to 2022. The Country Programme is built on three pillars: Governance, peace and security, Inclusive economic growth and Environmental sustainability and resilience. The National Economist will contribute to Pillar 2, that is, Inclusive economic growth.
• Under the supervision of the Economics Advisor, the National Economist will be expected to significantly contribute to inclusive economic growth, while supporting the other two components in a substantial way. He/she will be expected to support projects and programmes within UNDP as well as other UN agencies, Government and non-government counterparts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions
Support the design and implementation of a mechanism to generate data and analysis focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Design and maintain a database of development statistics, provide periodic analysis of economic and development issues and write relevant reports aimed at promoting sustainable development goals and human development.
• Design and maintain a database of public policies, provide periodic analysis of economic and development issues and write relevant reports aimed at promoting sustainable development goals and human development
• Provide analysis and substantive inputs to UN Cooperation Framework, the Country Programme Document and other strategic documents.
• Provide economic inputs to all relevant UNDP programmes and projects for aligning UNDP programmes with national policies and priorities.

Provide advice to UNDP and counterparts and facilitate policy dialogue focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice through identification of best practices and lessons learned.
• Support to the management of the office in facilitation of policy dialogue on economic issues with the Government, private sector, civil society and donors.
• Coordinate the production and launch of reports, including National Human Development Reports and Sustainable Development Reports
• Provide capacity building support on economic issues to office staff.

Support the creation of strategic partnerships and support to resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Analyze and research information on donors; preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation.
• Assist in creating strategic partnerships by preparing notes, speeches and statements for UNDP officials and consultative meetings.
• Analyze economic environment and synthesize proposals on possible areas for UNDP support to ensure that UNDP programmes are in line with national policies and priorities and are strategically positioned.

Advocate and promote awareness of UNDP’s mandate and mission focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals, Human Development and equitable economic growth by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings.
• Support to monitoring progress and formulation of strategies towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Manage events and publications.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Master's Degree in Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:

• 2 Years of relevant experience at the national or international level.
• Experience in research and policy-level analysis.
• Experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages,
• Experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent command of written and spoken English is essential
• Fluency in the UN and national language of the duty station.

Competencies

Core
Innovation:

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work.
• Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully.

Leadership:

• Ability to persuade others to follow.
• Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others.

People Management:

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.
• Models independent thinking and action.

Communication:

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.
• Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis.

Delivery:

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.
• Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services.

Technical/Functional
Advocacy:

• Ability to design and implement strategic short/long term campaigns and carry out customize activities to highlight UNDP’s position and support issue based advocacy.
• Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.

Collaboration and Partnership:

• Ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside (Programmes/projects) or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance and support.
• Sets overall direction for the formation and management of strategic relationships contributing to the overall positioning of UNDP.
• 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.
• Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work.

Resource Mobilization:

• Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources (definition is unclear and not well linked to the stated competency).
• Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s):

• Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.
• Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.