ECONOMIST, NOD

Overview

The Economist, NOD role involves evidence-based analysis of SDG status and its links to national plans, providing advice to the UN Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team on SDG acceleration and economic transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Plans, facilitates and consolidates evidence-based analysis of the status of the SDGs in China and their links to China's 15th Five-Year Plan and relevant national policy developments, providing substantive advice to the RC and UNCT, particularly on elements pertaining to SDG acceleration, the economic transformation agenda (including green and just transition, digital transformation and the future of work) and leveraging SDG financing for China and the world.
• Supports RC’s and UNCT’s, advocacy efforts for the creation of strong partnerships with the UN system, with national counterparts in government and other relevant partners, including International Financial Institutions (IFIs), to support the reframing of economic policies and practices around SDG acceleration, economic transformation and SDG financing, including engagement with national priorities emerging from China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and related sectoral policy frameworks.
• Coordinates the development by the UNCT of new generation of an integrated SDG programming cycle (including the development of roadmaps, CCA, UNSDCF, UN Joint Programmes as well as annual reports and others) that advances the economic transformation agenda and outlines a clear approach to SDG financing in programme countries.
• Plans and directs SDG knowledge generation and management around SDG acceleration, the economic transformation and SDG financing agendas, in support of a shared understanding by the UNCT of sustainable development trends, challenges and opportunities in programme countries.

Required Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development policy, economic research and analysis in the context of development cooperation or related area is required. Knowledge of economics is essential; familiarity with development economics and relevant development experience at the national or international level is desirable. Ability to apply development economic theory and specific global agendas/processes to the specific country context and carry out high-quality economic development research is desirable. Knowledge of the SDGs, the UN Normative agenda, China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and relevant national policy developments, and their application at the national level is desirable. Demonstrated understanding of issues related to SDG financing is desirable. Demonstrated knowledge of existing governance structures in the country, relevant national planning and policy processes, including the 15th Five-Year Plan, and existence of a network of contacts in the national/sub-national government, civil society, etc. is desirable. Proven experience coordinating multi-stakeholder spaces and participatory assessment processes; ability to collaborate with others, to give his/her own perspective, and to be open to diverse perspectives is desirable. Outstanding analytical and writing skills with an ability to convey complex ideas in a simple, clear, and lively style is desirable. Experience using computers and office software packages, including programmes for statistical analysis of data is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Qualifications

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in economics is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

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