Development Economist (Nationals Only)

BACKGROUND

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges.

In the programme countries, UNDP supports stabilization, state-building, governance, and development priorities in in partnership with the host governments, the United Nations system, the development partners and other partners to help the country to achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shock. 

UNDP has the mandate to support SDG Integration to ensure faster progress on sustainable development and offers support in four areas, (1) integrated policy and programming solutions, (2) SDG metrics, data and analysis using state-of-the-art tools for modelling and forecasting, (3) knowledge and innovation and (4) SDG Financing options to help countries identify innovative ways to expand public and private contributions to reach the 2030 agenda. 

In addition, UNDP works closely with the Government of Malaysia in providing thought leadership through support in formulation of policy options. This includes receiving high level policy requests on support for the 13th Malaysia Plan and undertaking structural economic policy analyses to achieve Malaysia’s aim of being a high income and sustainable nation by 2030.   

The Country Office (CO) is also in the midst of developing its Country Programme Document (CPD) for the period of 2026-2030 which outlines UNDP’s contributions to national results.

The Development Economist works under the guidance of the Head of Sustainable Development Policy, and s/he will work closely with the programme and operations teams in the country office, accelerator labs, and staff in the Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH) and New York in Regional Bureau of Asia and the Pacific as well as the Global Policy Network (GPN) of UNDP.

The Development Economist provides policy and programme support on economic, development and social issues at the country office level in alignment with the aims of the Government of Malaysia and the 2030 development agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 2024-2025 will be a critical year for national policymaking as Malaysia embarks on the 13th Malaysia Plan that sets out its mid-term development plan to achieve its national goals by 2030. Additionally, the development economist also provides support in the design of Programme and projects, and assessment of UNDP impact, including supporting the development of the CDP for 2026-2030. The CPD will be drafted based on the strategic priorities of the country and the CO, requiring internal analytical expertise.

As an Upper Middle Income Country (UMIC), the CO’s value is to provide thought leadership and analytical support to the Government of Malaysia through leveraging on the expertise of the CO, GPN and UNDP’s broader network and partners. The Development Economist plays an important role to fulfill this function by conducting research and producing analytical reports that inform decision making on sustainable development policy, inclusive economic development growth and human development.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Advise the UNDP country office management and programme team to strengthen programme development and implementation:

• Advise UNDP country office management with preparation and implementation of country programmes and strategies.
• Provide top quality analysis and substantive inputs to the Country Programme Document (CPD), Common Country Assessments (CCA), UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and other strategic documents.
• Provide advice on possible areas for UNDP support and adjustment of on-going programmes to ensure that UNDP programmes are in line with national policies and priorities.
• Analyze economic and development environment and synthesize proposals on possible areas for UNDP support to ensure that UNDP programmes are in line with national policies and priorities and are strategically positioned.
• Advise in conceptualization of projects with a policy focus, including drafting of concept notes and providing inputs for project proposals; and
• Facilitate flagship publications and programme implementation, including on human development, sustainable financing and support for the 13th Malaysia plan.

Provision of technical and policy advice to national government counterparts and other partners, especially in support of the 2030 Agenda and national development and economic policies:

• Provide analysis and research in priority thematic areas at the country level, including publication of policy briefs or other analytical outputs.
• Lead the preparation of policy briefs, background notes, speeches, talking points, presentation materials, etc. on critical development issues at the country and level.
• Ensures economic and policy inputs to all relevant UNDP programmes and projects for aligning UNDP programmes with national policies and priorities.
• Contribute to the assessment of the country’s development and economic policies and strategies in their impact on sustainable development.
• Lead and ensure contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice; and
• Develop and facilitate collaboration and partnership with academia, think thanks and research networks.
• Deliver high-quality knowledge products addressing contemporary economic, environmental and social issues, through research, data analysis, which provide evidence-based insights to inform policy decisions, legislation, and public discourse.

Establish and maintains strategic partnerships, lead programme design and implementation of the Country Office resource mobilization strategy:

• Contribute, in close collaboration with senior management, to the development and/or strengthening of partnerships with UN agencies, IFIs, bilateral development agencies, private sector entities, and civil society.
• When delegated, represent UNDP country office in relevant forums, conferences or workshops, including to present research or programmatic results.
• Facilitate the Senior Economist/Head of Sustainable Development Policy in resource mobilization and future growth strategies and contribute to the design of programmes and development solutions; and
• Contribute to national, regional, and global knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Promote awareness of and support advocacy for UNDP mandate and mission:

• Contribute to policy advocacy for Human Development and inclusive sustainable economic growth by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings.
• Provide support to monitoring progress and formulation of strategies towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Produce high quality research papers for UNDP presentation at national and international workshops and conferences.
• Produce blogs, op-eds, articles, etc on development issues and UNDP Programmes and projects activities.
• Manage events and publications on economic issues.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: This role may be responsible for supervising staff including the consultants; and therefore, requires demonstration of UNDP People Management competencies.

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management Competencies:

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found on the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy – System Thinking

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Development – Knowledge Generation

• Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.

Business Management – Communication

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Digital & Innovation – Data literacy

• Understand the potential as well as the limitations of using data driven innovation.
• Ability to use a mix of data sources (quantitative, qualitative or real-time techniques) to develop understanding, identify patterns to inform decision making or identify opportunities for further exploration.

Business Management – Portfolio Management

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization as programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity.
• Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.

Programme and policy – SDG Integration

• Economy-wide analysis
• Institutional and Context analysis.

Digital & Innovation – Co-creation

• Ability to design and facilitate a process that enables a diverse group of stakeholders to solve a common problem, develop a practice, or create knowledge together.
• Ability to embrace diversity, work with a diverse group of stakeholders, understand their interests, perspectives and views and tap into them as a source for creativity.
• Ability to facilitate processes and create conditions that are open for diverse inputs, stimulate collaboration and sharing.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics is required, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in Economics, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• Minimum of 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level that includes extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis, and some experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
• Experience in research and policy-level analysis is required.
• Proven policy, advisory and advocacy experience is required.
• Experience in preparing high-quality policy briefs and guidance notes for use by senior policymakers is desired.
• Experience and knowledge of the SDGs and their application at the national level is an asset.,
• Experience in handling web-based management systems and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data is required.
• Previous work experience in Asia and the Pacific region, and specifically Malaysia, would be an asset.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge web-based management systems such as ERP and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data is required.

Language requirements

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency Bahasa Melayu is required.
• Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

NOTE: Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest Performance Evaluations (if applicable).

UNDP Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience, and educational requirements.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names, and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.