Economic Advisor - UNDP - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Location: Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA

Application Deadline: 19-Nov-12

Type of Contract: FTA International

Post Level: P-5

Languages Required: Arabic   English 

Duration of Initial Contract: One Year renewable

Expected Duration of Assignment: 6 year project

Background

This is a Development Project Funded (DPF Post)   Saudi Arabia achieved massive economic growth over the last four decades, and is planning to sustain such growth throughout the next five years at an annual average of 5.2%. Non-oil sectors are expected to contribute 81.3% of the GDP by 2014 with greater empowerment for the private sector. Recently, Ministry of Economy and Planning produced the Ninth Development Plan (2010-2014), which embraces sustainable development as a general framework to incorporate economic growth, social development and environmental sustainability. The NDP is based on the tenets of a Long-Term Strategy towards 2024 with the overarching target of having the Kingdom as, “a developed, thriving and prosperous economy, built on sustainable foundations. It will extend rewarding work opportunities to all citizens, will have a high-quality education and training system, will provide excellent healthcare for all, and will offer all the necessary services to ensure the welfare of all citizens; all while safeguarding social and religious values and preserving the national heritage”. UNDP is providing substantive and technical support to the Ministry of Economy and Planning of Saudi Arabia in its policy analysis and strategic planning efforts. This includes assistance to the process of formulating the successive five-year National Development Plans (NDPs), monitoring and implementation of the NDPs and regular reporting on a myriad of issues such as the annual economic report, the National Human Development Report and the National MDGs Report. In this framework, the economic advisor is expected to contribute to this reporting process through drafting, editing and finalizing research papers and policy documents in both Arabic and English. The post will be project-based and Government-funded.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Economic Advisor will report to the Resident Representative of the UNDP Country Office, as the first supervisor; and will simultaneously report to the National Project Manager, as the second supervisor, and through him, will liaise with the concerned Government Ministries and development agencies.   The specific responsibilities of the Senior Economist Advisor will be as follows:   Advisory services on economic reporting: To prepare and/or edit the different chapters of the Kingdom’s 5-year development plans. To advise on and undertake the necessary activities for the preparation of the periodic economic reports, evaluating the performance of the Kingdom's development plans, at the macro and sectoral/regional levels. To advise and undertake the necessary activities for the regular issuance of the periodic reports on economics and social development in the kingdom. Strategic Planning: To provide technical assistance in the field of strategic planning and long-term socio-economic development program, and to develop the appropriate tools of analysis of the long-term policies and strategies; To respond to specific requests for reviewing development programs, projects and policies, and their economic and social implications, as well as to advise on institutional arrangements for their implementation. Implementation monitoring and evaluation: To assist in carrying out the relevant technical work to follow-up the implementation of the development plan. To advise on improvements of database and information system relating to economic and social progress. Capacity development: To provide on the job training to the national staff engaged in the planning process. To assist in organizing the training programs for the national staff. To undertake such other tasks relating to development planning advisory work  Supervisory Services: To supervise a team of economic researchers conducting sectoral studies for the five-year development planning process To design training programs for young national researchers To review and comment about studies conducted by assistant researchers and set professional development approaches for quality research results

Competencies

Corporate Responsibility & Direction: Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of the UNDP-supported project for the Government of Saudi Arabia. People Skills: Promotes a learning and knowledge sharing environment. Facilitates the development of individual and multi-cultural/team competencies. Managing for Results: Plans and prioritizes work activities to meet organizational goals. Strategic approach to problem solving. Partnering & Networking: Builds and sustains relationships with key constituents (internal/external/ bilateral/ multilateral/public/private; civil society). Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of the project. Demonstrates ability to handle working relationships with senior officials, academics and technical experts. Innovation & Judgment: Conceptualizes and analyzes problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate. Generates creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations. Devises new systems and processes, and modifies existing ones, to support innovative behaviors. Communication: Demonstrates outstanding communication skills, verbal and written, in English and Arabic. Job Knowledge & Expertise: Possesses expert knowledge and advanced concepts in economic theory and practice, a broad knowledge of related disciplines, particularly major macro-economic policy issues and models and the MDGs, as well as an in-depth knowledge of relevant organizational policies and procedures. Applies the required depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise in economic policy and development issues to support the Government. Demonstrates strong quantitative skills and the ability to carry out high quality economic research, including statistical analysis. Possesses proven ability to analyze from a global perspective, with the ability to offer practical policy advice on economic issues based on local realities. Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource.   Keeps abreast of new developments in the area of economic theory and practice and seeks to develop him/herself professionally.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Masters degree in Economics. Experience: At least 10 years working experience, and considerable knowledge of quantitative analyses and the ability to communicate results of research findings and undertake on the job training. Language Requirements: Fluency in UN languages, particularly Arabic and English.

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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.

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