INTER-REGIONAL ADVISER ON STRUCTURAL TRANSFORMATION, P4

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Programme Management Unit, Economic Analysis and Policy Division (EAPD), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Inter-regional Adviser (IRA) will work under the direct supervision of Director. The Division is mandated to provide research and policy analysis on global macroeconomic trends and long-term development issues such as structural transformation to the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council, to support Member States in their efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, to serve as the Secretariat of the Committee for Development Policy, including through assessments and support for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) graduation from that category, especially in the context of the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA). More information on EAPD can be found on https://policy.desa.un.org The services of the IRA aim to ensure the provision of high-level technical expertise, the transfer of knowledge from global entities to Governments on policy-related issues and development strategies and the formulation, assessment or evaluation of projects and programmes. The IRA is a member of DESA’s IRA Network. The services of the IRA need to comply with intergovernmental guidance on the use of the Regular Programme on Technical Cooperation (RPTC), when appropriate, and with strategies and guidance concerning capacity development activities endorsed by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and supported by the Capacity Development Programme Management Office (CDPMO).

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Director, the incumbent is responsible for the following: • Provides capacity development and policy advisory support online and/or through short-term field missions, to Governments and other relevant stakeholders in developing countries upon their request on structural transformation of countries toward higher-productivity and higher value-added economic activities and increased diversification in support of sustainable development. • Understands and uses macroeconomic forecasting tools, such as the World Economic Forecasting Model (WEFM) of DESA, Financial Programming model of the IMF, structural Vector Autoregression Models and similar models to quantitatively capture and analyze trends in structural transformation in developing countries. Provides guidance on empirical research and scenario development on selected macroeconomic and development issues, with a view to strengthening capacities of relevant national stakeholders. • Develops and adapts economic, social and environmental models (including those based on open-source approaches) to support national capacities for analyzing macro-development linkages and advancing long-term, multidimensional policy options aligned with the SDGs. • Connects sectoral development approaches such as those for energy, digitalization and human capital to structural transformation and prepares capacity development materials/policy advisory notes to support national partners as well as feed into global discussions. • Participates in the design and development of capacity development programmes, projects and activities at national, regional and global levels and contributes to implementation, monitoring and evaluation as well as reporting on these initiatives and development of e-learning and other training materials. • Monitors implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels. • Makes substantive contributions to global/regional/sub-regional/national workshops, seminars, colloquia, and other training events, and liaises with relevant professional networks, including the United Nations Economist Network • Contributes to the Department’s resource mobilization strategies, notably as far as extra budgetary funding is concerned. • Assumes other tasks within the area of expertise and in line with capacity development guidance as requested by the supervisor.

Competencies

• Professionalism: In general: a) Shows pride in work and achievements; b) demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; c) is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; d) is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; e) shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; d) remains calm in stressful situations. In particular, DESA is looking for staff with the following technical competence: 1) a strong commitment to high-level technical expertise with capacity building in the relevant specialty of structural transformation, focusing on digital transformation and green energy transition; 2) ability to apply economic theories and concepts to different areas of sustainable development, conduct independent research on economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources and ability to work with large datasets; 3) proven ability in preparing robust project proposals; 4) familiarity with the policies, programmes and activities of potential donors, including member states, UN funds and programmes, global funds, International Financial Institutions etc.; 5) familiarity with concepts and approaches related to capacity development and conversant with Result-based Budgeting/Result-based Management (RBB/RBM) approaches and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) approaches; 6) proven ability to be a broker of knowledge and brokering issues close to DESA normative analytical mandates; 7) proven ability in building partnerships with national institutions and other organizations involved in the development process; 8) proven ability in mobilizing resources; 9) taking responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • Planning and Organizing: a) Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; b) identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; c) allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; d) foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; e) monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; f) uses time efficiently. • Client Orientation: a) Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; b) establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; c) identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; d) monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; e) keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; f) meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in development economics or related field.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience within the UN development system and/or an international organization/globally recognized think tank in the area of economic development is required. At least four (4) years of professional experience in capacity development/policy advisory work in developing countries, preferably in more than one region, is required. Experience in macroeconomic modelling and knowledge of econometric estimation techniques is required. Experience in the use of R, Python and relevant software is required. Experience on the key implications of a green energy transition on the structural transformation of least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, or small island developing states is required. Experience in international technical cooperation and capacity development is desirable. Experience in the use of quantitative tools for analyzing structural transformation in developing countries is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is 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).

Required Languages LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level III Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice The appointment against this position is limited to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. This Job Opening refers to a specialized inter-regional adviser position. External candidates selected for this position will be subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA-limited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (c) and 2.4 of administrative instruction ST/AI/2025/3 on the Administration of appointments. The initial appointment is for one year. Annual renewal of appointment is subject to endorsement by an internal Departmental Panel on the continued need for the technical specialty depending on updates to DESA’s priorities in the area of capacity development, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. The maximum duration of the assignment as IRA is three years. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. 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