Economist
Organizational Context
The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), part of a global UN Development System reform, support countries in achieving development priorities and SDGs. Operating under an empowered UN Resident Coordinator, RCOs are integral to the UN Secretariat's Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO). This Economist role, based in Tirana, Albania, supports the RC and UN Country Team in advancing the Cooperation Framework and national reform agendas.
Job Purpose
The Economist role is crucial for supporting evidence-based analysis of SDG progress, focusing on SDG acceleration, EU accession reforms, economic transformation (including green, digital, and future of work aspects), and SDG financing. The position aids the Resident Coordinator (RC) and UN Country Team (UNCT) in developing partnerships with national counterparts, IFIs, and the private sector to advance sustainable economic transformation and financing. The Economist provides essential economic analysis for UN country-level planning processes, including the UN Country Analysis and Cooperation Framework, ensuring alignment with national priorities and the 2030 Agenda. This involves contributing to knowledge generation and fostering a shared understanding of sustainable development trends and policy issues within the UNCT.
Responsibilities
The Economist provides substantive economic and financial analysis to support evidence-based advice on sustainable development, economic transformation, investment, and SDG financing. This includes conducting analysis on emerging trends, supporting the implementation of the Cooperation Framework and National Reform Agenda, and advising on EU accession reforms. The role involves developing and strengthening partnerships with national counterparts, UN entities, IFIs, and the private sector to advance SDG acceleration and financing. The Economist contributes economic and financing analysis to UN programming cycles, including the UN Country Analysis and Cooperation Framework, and supports the development of joint programmes. Additionally, the role involves knowledge management and learning on economic transformation and SDG financing, facilitating the exchange of research and best practices within the UNCT and relevant networks. The Economist also monitors economic developments, analyzes their implications for sustainable development, and supports the identification of investment-ready SDG initiatives.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressive experience in economic research, analysis, macroeconomic/socioeconomic policy, or development economics is required. Experience in economic/policy analysis, translating development trends into policy options, and SDG financing is essential. Desirable experience includes supporting strategic planning, multi-stakeholder engagement, applying inclusive approaches, resource mobilization, knowledge management, and working on EU integration reforms.
Skills
Professionalism, Planning and Organizing, Teamwork, Client Orientation, Systems thinking, Integrated policy analysis, Strategic foresight, Data analysis and interpretation, Research and analysis, Partnership development, Knowledge management.