Senior Development Coordination Officer, Economist, P-5

Senior Development Coordination Officer, Economist, P-5

United Nations Resident Coordinator System

Brazil

Org. Setting and Reporting

The UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator - the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at country level - support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs. The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Brazil and reports to the Resident Coordinator, with direct supervision of the Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planner and RCO Head of Office.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Development Coordination Officer/Economist will be responsible of the following duties:

Summary of Functions

• Coordinates evidence-based Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) analysis in support of a shared understanding by the UN Country Team (UNCT) of sustainable development trends, challenges and opportunities in programme countries.
• Oversees the provision of substantive advice on innovative economic and SDG policies to Resident Coordinators (RC) and UNCTs, as well as to national counterparts in government and other relevant partners.
• Leads the development by the UNCT of a new generation of SDG programmes with a strong investment orientation and focus on acceleration towards achieving the SDGs.
• Directs SDG knowledge generation and management.

Description of Functions

• Coordinates evidence-based SDG analysis in support of a shared understanding by the UNCT of sustainable development trends, challenges and opportunities in programme countries:
  • Directs research, analysis, consolidation and presentation of SDG-related data, as well as information on emerging best practices in sustainable development, paying special attention to gender and capacity development, and proposes policy options to RCs/UNCTs;
  • Leads and oversees research, analysis, and consolidation of macroeconomic, social, and environmental data and indicators from the host country, with the aim of identifying structural bottlenecks and developing integrated scenarios of fiscal, monetary, social, and environmental conditions. This work supports evidence-based policymaking to promote sustainable development, reduce inequalities, and enhance climate resilience—contributing directly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
  • Oversees the identification and analysis of issues that impact multiple SDGs and their targets and proposes ‘accelerator interventions' that can help unlock and accelerate progress towards sustainable development across multiple areas;
  • Directs the assessment of sustainable development trade-offs and risk factors, as well as early-warning indicators that may undermine the achievement of SDG targets and impact the UN’s role and programme in the country and identifies appropriate measures to address them;
  • Supervises collection and analysis of data on UN country level operations in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, identifies gaps and proposes follow-up actions;
  • Manages research, development and presentation of policy papers, guidance notes and other knowledge based-tools and directs discussion in country-level forums to help influence and advance policy dialogue on achieving the SDGs;
  • Coordinates the preparation of UN flagship reports, including the analysis of data, and ensures the provision of evidence to build the case for policies and interventions on SDGs;
  • Oversees the monitoring of regional and global economic trends and issues, analyzes their implications for the realization of the SDGs at the country level and recommends additional issues for consideration.
• Oversees the provision of substantive advice on innovative economic and SDG policies to RCs and UNCTs, as well as to national counterparts in government and other relevant partners:
  • Guides substantive support to the RC/UNCT on SDG-related issues, particularly on policies to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs, including through Mainstreaming, Acceleration and Policy Support (MAPS) and similar processes, and evaluates and pursues potential trade-offs between SDGs;
  • Leads the identification of issues and recommendations for the UNCT on how UN country-level operations can be optimized and better respond to sustainable development needs and emerging trends in country;
  • Elicits, evaluates and consolidates policy options proposed by UNCT members, ensuring an integrated approach to the UN’s policy advice to national counterparts in government and other external partners;
  • Provides substantive support to RC/UNCT to develop and implement initiatives related to national development priorities, including support to global, regional, and multilateral initiatives in which Brazil plays a leading role, ensuring alignment with the 2030 Agenda and UN system-wide coherence;
  • Plans and directs the work of the in-country UN Cooperation Framework interagency mechanisms and drives cross-pillar nexus approaches in country to policy, analysis, and assessment;
  • Working in close collaboration with the RCO Partnerships Officer, ensures effective engagement of relevant counterparts, especially private sector, civil society and development partners, to develop engagement and partnerships around SDG financing.
• Leads the development by the UNCT of a new generation of SDG programmes with a strong investment orientation and focus on acceleration towards achieving the SDGs:
  • Manages the development and implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) to ensure that the UN’s country-level operational activities effectively support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in country;
  • Supervises the provision of substantive support to programme formulation and revision throughout the UNSDCF cycle, based on sound SDG analysis;
  • Oversees the provision of substantive support to the UN joint programming process to strengthen the formulation of a new generation of UN joint programmes that are aligned with the SDGs, oriented towards investment, and have impact at the national level;
  • Assists in the establishment and management of country-based fund(s), for instance the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) for the Sustainable Development of the Brazilian Legal Amazon and its Secretariat, in close collaboration with the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office;
  • Guides UNSDCF results groups and interagency mechanisms in the implementation of joint workplans to ensure SDG-relevant and SDG-responsive UN operational activities for development;
  • Leads the design of the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and respective annual reviews;
  • Reviews and endorses recommendations to enhance UN support to governmental and multi-stakeholder processes on SDG policy development and capacity development.
• Directs SDG knowledge generation and management:
  • Plans, facilitates and enhances local, regional and global communities of practice and knowledge networks and promotes collaboration, peer support, innovation good practices, lessons learned, needs, and opportunities in the area of sustainable development;
  • Directs research, analysis and presentation of best practices and lessons learned from implementation of UNCT projects and programmes, with a view to advising the RC and UNCT on actions to strengthen the policy orientation of the UN;
  • Coordinates the monitoring and analysis of best practices and successful models implemented by the UN in country and suggests options for developing these into bankable national SDG investment policies and programmes;
  • Oversees the provision of advice on global/corporate guidelines, tools and other materials related to sustainable development policy.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic resources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost, and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight, and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
• LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
• JUDGMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies key issues in complex situations, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in economics. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development policy, economic analysis or project/programme management in the context of development cooperation or related area is required.
• Knowledge of the SDGs and the UN Normative agenda and their application at the national level is required.
• Demonstrated understanding of issues related to SDG financing is desirable.
• Experience in the United Nations system or a comparable international organization is desirable.
• Work experience with Brazil and/or Latin American middle-income countries is desirable.
• Proven experience coordinating multi-stakeholder spaces and participatory assessment processes; ability to collaborate with others, to give his/her own perspective, and to be open to diverse perspectives is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in both English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of Portuguese is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage. "Fluency equals a rating of "Fluent" in all four areas (read, speak, write and understand) and "Knowledge of" equals a rating of "Confident" in two of the four areas.

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