Economist
Organizational Context
The UN Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in Panama City operates under the UN's global reform to enhance the UN Development System's effectiveness in achieving the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. Empowered by an independent Resident Coordinator, RCOs support national development priorities. This role, within the UN Secretariat's RCO, contributes to the UN 2.0 shift, focusing on data, digital innovation, and strategic foresight.
Job Purpose
The Economist provides substantive economic analysis and evidence-based advice to support sustainable development, economic transformation, and SDG financing efforts within the UN Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in Panama City. This role is crucial for assisting the Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team (UNCT) in identifying challenges and opportunities to accelerate SDG progress. The Economist will analyze economic and social data, monitor global and national economic developments, and contribute to policy papers, briefing materials, and knowledge products. They will also support partnerships with national counterparts and stakeholders, engage in UN sustainable development programming cycles, and contribute to knowledge management and learning initiatives, ensuring alignment with UN 2.0 principles and corporate priorities.
Responsibilities
The Economist is responsible for providing substantive economic analysis and evidence-based advice on sustainable development, economic transformation, and SDG financing. This includes researching and analyzing economic and social data, identifying trends, and developing policy options to support the Resident Coordinator (RC) and UN Country Team (UNCT) in accelerating SDG progress. The role involves supporting the implementation of global guidelines, preparing analytical inputs for policy papers and briefing materials, and monitoring national and global economic developments. Additionally, the Economist will foster partnerships and engagement with national counterparts, UN entities, IFIs, development partners, and the private sector. They will also provide economic analysis for the UN sustainable development programming cycle, including the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and contribute to knowledge management and learning on economic transformation and SDG financing.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressive experience in economic research, analysis, macroeconomic/socioeconomic policy, or development economics is required. Experience in translating development trends into policy options, supporting strategic planning or financing solutions, and working with diverse stakeholders is also required. Desirable experience includes SDG financing, public finance, innovative financing, UN inter-agency coordination, and data analytics.
Skills
Professionalism, accountability, client orientation, and technological awareness. Specific competencies include applying sustainable development theories, conducting independent research and analysis, data collection, conceptual and evaluative skills, and effective communication. Ability to incorporate gender perspectives and promote equal participation is essential.