Job and Career Info

Job Vacancies United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Position: Policy Specialist – International Macroeconomics, Development Economics, Climate Change
Location: United States of America (The), New York
Closing Date: Friday, 21 January 2011

Background
ODS provides policy research and analysis to support UNDP (especially the Administrator and the Executive Office) on substantive economic and development issues. It is important to produce and generate original policy analysis based both on short-term reviews of the literature as well as longer-term research on topics of strategic relevance to UNDP. In particular, it is important to keep abreast with current academic and policy developments related to economic development policies to promote the reduction of poverty and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and mitigating and adapting to climate change.

The incumbent will be responsible to identify pertinent areas of policy analysis and research linked to the international economic context. The incumbent will draw on advanced economic and policy expertise to define themes/questions that are both creative and relevant to inform the strategic priorities of the organization. The identification of themes will also have to consider, and therefore requires a knowledge and understanding of, current economic policy and development challenges. For example, in the current context of highly volatile international commodity prices, what will be the implications for low-income countries? To take another example, how will developing countries be affected by the global economic crises, not only economically but also in terms of human development? And finally, how can policies be designed in a way that they make addressing long-term development challenges, like climate change, consistent with the immediate response to the economic crisis?

Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of key functions:
* Design the research on conceptual and methodological economic issues.
* Set the direction of and advise on the preparation of the economic research agenda,
* Utilize the authoritative expertise on the covered topics and conduct independent research projects, including collecting data and undertaking quantitative analysis.
* Backstop the work of consultants.
* Manage the review of contributions of consultants and background paper authors.
* Take lead on suggesting ways to synthesize and integrate the work from consultants.
* Backstop the Director on management functions, including recruiting junior staff members and training and mentoring analysts.
* Work closely with the Director to ensure strategies and plans are fully implemented.
* Prioritize issues that require the attention of the Director, and in those cases provide suggested solutions for the Director to consider.
* Train junior staff and research interns.
* Supervise and manage research associates and research interns.

1. Design and conduct economic research on international macroeconomics and development, economics of climate change.
* Set the direction of and advise on the preparation of the economic research agenda, especially on macroeconomics, development, and economics of climate change issues.
* Design research on conceptual, methodological, and empirical economic issues, with an emphasis on macroeconomics and international economics.
* Utilize the authoritative expertise on the covered topics and conduct independent research projects, including collecting data and undertaking quantitative analysis.
* Arrange brainstorming meetings and in-house discussions on various aspects of economic research, especially on international macroeconomics and climate change issues.

2. Write papers and reports.
* Write, revise and finalize papers and reports on his/her own independent research activities on international macroeconomics, development and climate change.
* In close collaboration with the Director and write other day-to-day research papers and reports.

3. Oversee commissioned research.
* Backstop the work of consultants.
* Manage the review of contributions of consultants and background paper authors.
* Take lead on suggesting ways to synthesize and integrate the work from consultants.

4. Present communications and papers in research meetings, conferences and other events
* Present and discuss research at various meetings.
* Prepare papers for the GA, UNDP’s Executive Boards and other UN and inter-governmental bodies as required.
* Prepare publicity materials and press releases for outreach efforts.

5.Take office management responsibility.
* Backstop the Director on management functions.
* Work closely with the Director to ensure strategies and plans are fully implemented.
* Prioritize issues that require the attention of the Director, and in those cases provide suggested solutions for the Director to consider.
* Train junior staff and research interns.
* Supervise and manage research associates and research interns.

Competencies
* Reliably take action to honor commitments, take international outlook in decision-making.
* Possess good grasp of academic and economic policy issues, demonstrate analytical rigor, intellectual creativity and contribute to original ideas, maintain open-minded attitude towards new ideas.
* Lead effective teams. Create team spirit, inspire and motivate staff and colleagues at all levels, demonstrate willingness to integrate ideas of others into own thinking, remain composed under stress, manage moods and create positive attitude in the team even in times of crisis.
* Demonstrate strong writing skills, particularly the ability to present persuasive, coherent and well-founded arguments, show ability to write in style that is accessible to a broad audience of policymakers, academics and activists.
* Demonstrate drive to achieve results in timely manner and to seek and find solutions to any problems encountered, make efficient use of available resources. Demonstrate ability to multitask.
* Have ability to communicate clearly and persuasively, demonstrate ability to build consensus and express own ideas openly and frankly without jeopardizing rapport with colleagues.
* Generate new ideas, seek new approaches and introduce and promote them in the workplace.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:
* Masters degree, with a strong preference for a Ph.D. in economics.

Experience:
* Minimum of 7 years of professional experience.
* Strong quantitative skills and research experience on economic development and policy analysis, economics of climate change.
* Ability to collaborate as a team, work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Language Requirements:
* Fluency in both written and spoken English.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

United Nations Development Programme
304 East 45th Street
New York
Telephone: (212) 909-7940

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