Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located within the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) Multi-country office (MCO) for Mauritius and Seychelles. The MCO is based in Port Louis, Mauritius. Mauritius and Seychelles and Small Island States (SIDs) which are located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa. They are middle-income and high-income countries (MICs and HICs) respectively. Despite their economic status, the two countries are exposed to vulnerabilities and structural constraints such a as small land mass and population size; geographic isolation and spatial dispersion; high per capita cost of infrastructure; low-lying areas and extreme exposure to climate change and natural hazards; fragility of island ecosystems and high level of endemism.

Despite these heightened constraints and the limited fiscal space to cope with climate shocks and build resilience, most SIDS enjoy very limited access to concessional finance, in particular climate finance – access to which is of key priority in the long-term economic and climate resilience agenda of these two countries.

Against this context, the role of the Senior Economist as the key policy expert is to ensure overall RCO and UN positioning for supporting countries in innovative strategic thinking, evidence-based policy analysis, strengthening UN programmatic strategic orientation for SDG acceleration, reinforcing partnership including with private sector and academia and leading knowledge generation.

The incumbent reports to the UN Resident Coordinator with dual reporting responsibility to the RCO Head of Office.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Development Coordination Officer /Economist will be responsible of the following duties: Summary of Functions 1.

Provides substantive leadership in coordinating and driving evidence-based policy analysis with specific attention to SIDS/MICs context to accelerate progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) towards broad-based understanding by national counterparts and the UN Country Team (UNCT) of sustainable development trends, challenges and opportunities in programme countries.

2. Oversees the provision of substantive advice on economic and climate resilience and SDG policies, climate financing, domestic resource mobilization and SIDS innovation for resilient inclusive growth to Resident Coordinator (RC) and UNCTs, as well as to national counterparts in government and other relevant partners 3.

Leads the development by the UNCT of a new generation of SDG programmes with a strong investment and financing orientation and focus on acceleration towards achieving the SDGs 4.

Supports the UN Resident Coordinator in partnership strengthening and leadership in development coordination including via secretariat for the Development Partners group chaired by the RC. 5. Directs SDG knowledge generation and management and south south cooperation. Description of Functions: 1. Coordinates evidence-based SDG analysis in support of a shared understanding by the UNCT of sustainable development trends, challenges and opportunities in programme countries • Directs research, analysis, consolidation and presentation of SDG-related data, as well as information on emerging best practices in sustainable development, paying special attention to gender and capacity development, and proposes policy options to RCs/UNCTs; • Oversees the identification and analysis of issues that impact multiple SDGs and their targets and proposes ‘accelerator interventions’ that can help unlock and accelerate progress towards sustainable development across multiple areas; • Directs the assessment of sustainable development trade-offs and risk factors, as well as early-warning indicators that may undermine the achievement of SDG targets and impact the UN’s role and programme in the country and identifies appropriate measures to address them; • Supervises collection and analysis of data on UN country level operations in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, identifies gaps and proposes follow-up actions; • Manages research, development and presentation of policy papers, guidance notes and other knowledge based-tools and directs discussion in country-level forums to help influence and advance policy dialogue on achieving the SDGs; • Coordinates the preparation of UN flagship reports, including the analysis of data and ensures the provision of evidence to build the case for policies and interventions on SDGs; • Oversee the monitoring regional and global economic trends and issues, analyzes their implications for the realization of the SDGs at the country level and recommends additional issues for consideration.

2.

Oversees the provision of substantive advice on innovative economic and SDG policies to RCs and UNCTs, as well as to national counterparts in government and other relevant partners • Guides substantive support to the RC/UNCT on SDG-related issues, particularly on policies to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs, including through Mainstreaming, Acceleration and Policy Support (MAPS) and similar processes, and evaluates and pursues potential trade-offs between SDGs; • Leads the identification of issues and recommendations for the UNCT on how UN country-level operations can be optimized and better respond to sustainable development needs and emerging trends in country; • Elicits, evaluates and consolidates policy options proposed by UNCT members, ensuring an integrated approach to the UN’s policy advice to national counterparts in government and other external partners, • Plans and directs the work of the in-country UN Joint Policy Team (or equivalent) and drives cross-pillar nexus approaches in country to policy, analysis and assessment.

3.

Leads the development by the UNCT of a new generation of SDG programmes with a strong investment orientation and focus on acceleration towards achieving the SDGs • Manages the development and implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDF) to ensure that the UN’s country-level operational activities effectively support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in country; • Supervises the provision of substantive support to programme formulation and revision throughout the UNSDF cycle, based on sound SDG analysis; • Oversees the provision of substantive support to the UN joint programming process to strengthen the formulation of a new generation of UN joint programmes that are aligned with the SDGs, oriented towards investment, and have impact at the national level; • Guides UNSDF result groups in the implementation of joint workplans to ensure SDG-relevant and SDG-responsive UN operational activities for development; • Reviews and endorses recommendations to enhance UN support to governmental and multi-stakeholder processes on SDG policy development and capacity development.

4.

Directs SDG knowledge generation and management • Plans, facilitates and enhances local, regional and global communities of practice and knowledge networks and promotes collaboration, peer support, innovation good practices, lessons learned, needs, and opportunities in the area of sustainable development; • Directs research, analysis and presentation of best practices and lessons learned from implementation of UNCT projects and programmes, with a view to advising the RC and UNCT on actions to strengthen the policy orientation of the UN; • Coordinates the monitoring and analysis of best practices and successful models implemented by the UN in country and suggests options for developing these into bankable national SDG investment policies and programmes; • Oversees the provision of advice on global/corporate guidelines, tools and other materials related to sustainable development policy.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches.

Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems.

Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic resources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

• Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

• Judgment/Decision-making: Identifies key issues in complex situations, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in economics or a related area.

A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development policy, economic analysis with proven record of authoring and spearheading production of producing high-quality reports/documents/policy briefs is required.

Experience and familiarity with SIDS and/or MICs context and/or climate financing innovation is desired. Experience in programme management in the context of leading development cooperation or related area will be an advantage and is desired.

Sound knowledge and proven capacity for mobilizing broad-based partners to include policy innovation with private sector and academia is desired.

Languages

Professional level fluency in English and knowledge of French is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs.

The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs.

The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts.

The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another.

The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship.

Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c).

Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised.

This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines.

Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening.

No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m.

(New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING).

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