Senior Country Economist [Open to internal and external applicants]
Organizational Context
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) operates in over 170 countries, aiming to eradicate poverty, accelerate structural transformation, build resilience, and promote sustainable development. The Country Economist Network within the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP) enhances policy support. This role is based in Malaysia, supporting the government's economic policy formulation and SDG integration efforts.
Job Purpose
This role serves as the principal advisor to senior management on economic and development policy matters within the UNDP Country Office in Malaysia. The Country Economist integrates UNDP's regional and global activities to maximize development impact, focusing on accelerating progress towards the 2030 Agenda and beyond. The position requires a strategic focus on development interventions, connecting diagnostics with solutions, and understanding the political landscape for effective delivery. The role also contributes to the RBAP Economist Network, sharing expertise and contributing to regional knowledge products, while advising on SDG integration and financing options for Malaysia's development goals.
Responsibilities
The Country Economist will provide leadership and strategic direction for the economics and policy function, supervising personnel and ensuring quality assurance. Key responsibilities include advising Country Office management and programme teams on evidence-based programme development, country strategies, and thematic portfolios like inclusive growth and SDGs. The role involves leading efforts in Development Finance Assessments, conducting macroeconomic and political-economy analysis, and providing strategic economic policy advice to government counterparts. This includes producing economic outlooks, leading the National Human Development Report, and developing large-scale development solutions. The position also entails leading the expansion of financing for development services, managing the economic and policy knowledge agenda, and translating economic analysis into actionable programme concepts. Furthermore, the role involves leading policy advice to national counterparts on sustainable and inclusive economic policies, facilitating dialogue with stakeholders, and supporting SDG monitoring and reporting. Engagement with partners, representing UNDP as a thought leader, supporting resource mobilization, and contributing to regional knowledge products and the RBAP Economist Network are also crucial aspects of this role.
Work Experience
A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience (with a Master's) or 9 years (with a Bachelor's) is required, including extensive research and policy-level analysis in areas such as labor markets, public finance, development finance, structural transformation, economic modeling, and AI policy. Proven policy, advisory, and advocacy experience is essential. Experience in preparing policy briefs for senior policymakers is required. Experience in strategic visioning, leading economics functions, understanding SDGs, stakeholder engagement, statistical analysis software, and working in the Asia-Pacific region are desirable or considered an asset.
Skills
Core Competencies: Achieve Results, Think Innovatively, Learn Continuously, Adapt with Agility, Act with Determination, Engage and Partner, Enable Diversity and Inclusion. Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies: System Thinking, Knowledge Generation, Communication, Portfolio Management, Data Literacy, Co-creation, SDG Integration (Micro/Macroeconomic Models/Analysis, Economic Forecasting, Integrated Policy).