Background
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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 violent conflict that erupted in Sudan on April 15th, 2023, has profoundly impacted all facets of the Sudanese economy. This crisis has resulted in the internal displacement of over 8.5 million people, while an additional 2 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries. The extensive violence and destruction have had detrimental effects on poverty, food security, employment, and livelihoods. In collaboration with other international agencies, the UNDP is currently conducting an in-depth analysis to gain a better understanding of the socio-economic impact of the war on Sudan. The aim is to generate insights that can inform policy and programmatic recommendations. The ongoing work involves quantitative analysis using primary data obtained from surveys conducted in rural, urban, and MSME settings following the outbreak of the conflict. Furthermore, this collaborative research effort employs economywide analysis tools to estimate both economywide and regional implications of Sudan’s conflict.
The UNDP Country Office (CO) is seeking to engage a full-time Economist to help the CO and colleagues in the regional Hub in Amman conduct in-depth economic analysis and policy dialogue, utilizing cutting-edge methodologies. The work will explore the multifaceted and complex effects of the conflict on various aspects, including poverty, food security, coping and livelihood strategies, income sources, employment dynamics, household demographics, migration patterns, and the role of the social protection system in mitigating the shocks..
Institutional Arrangement
The Economist will report to the CO RR and the Regional Chief Economist at the UNDP Regional Hub.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Economist’s role involves providing essential support to Sudan CO and the regional team through quantitative data analysis and data visualization. In tandem with delivering a comprehensive literature review, the Economistis expected to guide the selection of the most suitable econometric techniques. This includes a clear and insightful discussion of the chosen techniques’ advantages and limitations, offering crucial support to the analytical work in Sudan.
The Economist will be directly accountable to the CO Resident Representative and have a matrix reporting to the Regional Chief Economist at the Amman Regional Hub. Furthermore, the Economist is encouraged to proactively engage with the project team to ensure alignment with the broader objectives and to refine the analytical framework, as needed.
Specific key areas of focus:
- Provide strategic advises to COs and the regional team in the implementation of programmatic work in the field of economic livelihoods and recovery solutions, value chains, access to finance/microfinance/innovative finance, and MSME support including displaced populations and migrants;
- Provide technical advises to the CO and counterparts in the design of national policies, strategies, and programmes to progress the above-mentioned solutions and support;
- Provide policy advises in the country on how to create an enabling environment for the above-mentioned solutions and support and identify and help remove existing policy constraints;
- Develop knowledge and learning products in the above-mentioned fields including dimensions related to women, youth and vulnerable categories;
- Lead efforts in building and maintaining strategic partnerships with major multilateral, bilateral organizations, and the private sector;
- Substantively contribute to regional level and country office resource mobilization efforts;
- Offer close advises to other UNDP CO and the regional team to build and develop the country portfolio.
- The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
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
Technical and Cross-Functional Competencies:
- Business Direction and Strategy:
- Entrepreneurial Thinking: Ability to create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate
- 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
- 2030 Agenda: Prosperity
- Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility:
- Economic Recovery
- Jobs and Livelihoods
- Enterprise, Private Sector Recovery
- 2030 Agenda: Partnership:
- SDG Finance
- Financial Inclusion
- Innovative finance
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Economics or Finance is required.or,
- A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above mentioned field of study in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
Experience:
- Minimum of five (5) years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in microeconomics, economic livelihoods and recovery solutions, value chains, with access to finance/microfinance/innovative finance, and MSME support for fragile settings
Required Skills
- Demonstrated strong technical knowledge in econometrics and statistics;
- Proficiency in statistical software use, including Stata, SPSS, R, or Python
- Experience in designing, implementing, and analyzing Household (HH) and Enterprise surveys.
Desired Skills:
- Experience in providing technical advice to third parties in economic livelihoods and recovery solutions, financial inclusion, and MSME support;
- Relevant experience working in fragile and crisis countries, particularly in the Arab region preferred.
- Experience in crisis affected countries including displaced populations and migrants
Required Language(s):
- Fluency in English and Arabic is required.
Disclaimer
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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