25 Jan 2012
Public Sector Chief Economist
Job Description
Background |
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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the global development network of the United Nations, advocating for sustainable human development and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in 177 countries and territories, working with them as they devise their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.
UNDP champions a human development approach that is about expanding the choices people have to lead lives that they value. People are at the centre of human development both as beneficiaries and drivers. This approach recognizes that while economic growth is important, it is primarily as a means of enlarging people’s choices. Fundamental to expanding these choices is building human and societal capabilities.
Major shifts are occurring in the economic, political, environmental, and social contexts that determine whether and how progress is made on sustainable human development. Continued economic globalization presents a tremendous opportunity for improving the wellbeing of all on the planet, but also brings heightened challenges related to inequality and volatility. Many countries in the ’south’ are growing in economic and political power, and are challenging existing global governance structures. Environmental challenges – including climate change, biodiversity loss and global ecosystem degradation – have economic and social impacts, too. Risks of instability and conflict may increase, prompted by dissatisfaction with political systems and lack of opportunities for young people, and be exacerbated by increasing tensions over natural resources. Changing patterns of demography, migration, urbanization, and development cooperation, along with new technologies, impact for better or worse on development as well.
While a core agenda for UNDP in the years to 2015 will be to help countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the post-2015 development agenda and the post-Rio+20 agenda reflect this changing economic, political and environmental context so that human development gains can be sustained and accelerated.
UNDP is committed to playing a leading role in shaping the global development agenda over the years to come together with its partners, as well as continually improving the support UNDP provides itself to developing countries. In all its activities, UNDP encourages the protection of human rights, the empowerment of women, and capacity development. Our aim is to ensure that societies are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable in order to advance human development.
This new position of UNDP Chief Economist is being created to strengthen UNDP’s intellectual leadership on economic development issues within the broader framework of sustainable human development. The Chief Economist will lead a small policy unit and will be expected to:
The position will be based in UNDP’s Bureau for Development Policy (BDP), reporting to the Assistant Secretary- General/Director of BDP. The Chief Economist will contribute to economic policy activities across all UNDP’s bureaux and offices, including regional and country level units.
The Chief Economist and the associated Strategic Policy Unit will work with resources and capacities across the organization, including UNDP’s network of economists across regions and countries. She/he will also develop working relationships with other UN multilateral, and bilateral organizations – including specialized agencies, the UN’s Economic Commissions, UNDESA, and International Financial Institutions – and engage with academia, programme countries, civil society and private sector.
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Duties and Responsibilities |
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The Chief Economist will be responsible for:
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Competencies |
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The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following competencies and personal attributes:
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Required Skills and Experience |
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Education:
Experience:
Language:
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