DEVELOPMENT COORDINATION OFFICER, ECONOMIST

Org. Setting and ReportingThe 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. 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 SDG's. The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Libreville, Gabon and reports to the Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Development Coordination Officer /Economist will be responsible of the following duties: 1. PLAN, FACILITATE, AND MERGE FACTUAL ANALYSES OF THE SDGs TO PROMOTE A COMMON UNDERSTANDING WITHIN THE UNITED NATIONS COUNTRY TEAM OF TRENDS, CHALLENGES, AND OPPORTUNITIES IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE PROGRAM COUNTRIES. • Research, analyze, merge, and present data related to the SDGs, as well as information on emerging best practices in sustainable development, with particular attention to gender issues and capacity development, and propose policy solutions to Resident Coordinators and United Nations Country Teams. • Identify and analyze issues that influence multiple SDGs and their targets, and propose \"accelerator interventions\" that can help facilitate and accelerate progress towards sustainable development in various areas. • Assess and highlight rebalancing and risk factors related to sustainable development, as well as early warning indicators that may hinder the achievement of targets set within the SDG framework and affect the role of the UN and the program in the country, and propose appropriate measures to address them. • Collect and analyze data related to UN operations in the country to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, identify gaps, and propose follow-up measures. • Research, develop, and present guidance documents, policy notes, and other knowledge-based tools, and lead discussions in national forums to help influence and promote policy dialogue on achieving the SDGs. • Coordinate the development of key UN reports, including data analysis, and provide evidence to support SDG-related policies and interventions. • Monitor regional and global economic trends and analyze their impact on achieving the SDGs at the national level, and recommend additional issues for examination. 2. PROVIDE TECHNICAL ADVICE ON INNOVATIVE POLICIES RELATED TO THE ECONOMY AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS TO RESIDENT COORDINATORS AND UNITED NATIONS COUNTRY TEAMS, AS WELL AS TO NATIONAL GOVERNMENT COUNTERPARTS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS. • Guide the provision of technical support to the Resident Coordinator and the United Nations Country Team on issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly on policies aimed at accelerating the achievement of the SDGs, including through the integration, acceleration, and policy support strategy and similar mechanisms, and assess and highlight potential rebalancing among the SDGs. • Identify issues and propose recommendations to the United Nations Country Team on how national UN operations can be optimized to better respond to sustainable development needs and emerging trends in the country. • Solicit, evaluate, and merge policy options proposed by members of the United Nations Country Team to ensure an integrated approach in the policy advice provided by the UN to national government counterparts and other external partners. • Plan and guide the activities of the joint UN policy team in the country (or equivalent) and promote policy, analysis, and evaluation methods that are based on creating inter-pillar linkages in the country. 3. COORDINATE THE DESIGN BY THE UNITED NATIONS COUNTRY TEAM OF A NEW GENERATION OF SDG-FOCUSED PROGRAMS THAT ARE HEAVILY INVESTMENTORIENTED AND EMPHASIZE ACCELERATING ACTIONS TO ACHIEVE THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS. • Guide the development and implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Gabon 2023-2027 to ensure that national UN operational activities effectively promote the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in the country. • Provide technical support for the development and revision of programs throughout the UNSDCF cycle, based on a thorough analysis of the Sustainable Development Goals. • Contribute to UN joint programming to strengthen the design of a new generation of UN joint programs that are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, investment-oriented, and impactful at the national level. • Assist UNSDCF results groups in implementing joint work plans to enable the execution of relevant and SDG-adapted UN operational activities for development. • Propose recommendations to strengthen UN support to government and multi-stakeholder mechanisms on policy development and capacity building related to the Sustainable Development Goals. 4. PLAN AND GUIDE THE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OF KNOWLEDGE ON THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS. • Organize and facilitate local, regional, and international practitioner and knowledge networks that promote collaboration, peer support, best practices in innovation, lessons learned, needs, and opportunities in sustainable development, and contribute to them. • Research, analyze, and present best practices and lessons learned from the implementation of projects and programs by the United Nations Country Team to advise the Resident Coordinator and the United Nations Country Team on actions to strengthen the UN's policy direction. • Monitor and analyze best practices and effective models implemented by the UN in the country and propose ways to transform them into bankable national investment policies and programs related to the Sustainable Development Goals. • Provide advice on international and corporate guidelines, tools, and other documents related to sustainable development policy. 5. OTHERS. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Ensures that requirements, background information used for data analysis are documented. • Performs other duties as assigned. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: 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. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks \"outside the box\"; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in economics, development studies or public policy, public finance is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven(7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in sustainable development policies, economic analysis, or project and program management in the field of development cooperation or a related area is required. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Experience in supporting SDG financing is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and French are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).