Economic Research Assistant – NPSA 4 (One year with a possibility of extension based on performance evaluation and budget availability)
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Location:
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Salary:negotiable
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Job type:Consultancy
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Posted:2 weeks ago
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Category:Audit and Oversight, Budget and Accounting, Economic Development, Evaluation, Finance, Human Resources, Research and data science
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Deadline:30/03/2023
JOB DESCRIPTION
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.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports Jordan in achieving sustainable development that leads to transformational change, bringing about real improvements in people’s lives through the design and implementation of policy and programming to address the development challenges that affect the country. #Nextgen UNDP also ensures that considerations such as Gender Equality, Private Sector Engagement, Environmental Sustainability, and Innovation are addressed while aligning local demand-driven development solutions to the 2030 Agenda.
UNDP and the European Union collaborate in improving the public sector’s integrity, accountability, and responsiveness to citizens and refugees’ needs in Jordan. The European Union a grant to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the implementation of the “Improving Local Development to Increase the Resilience of Host Communities and Refugees in North Jordan Programme” which is built on two programmes aiming to support decentralization financed by the European Union and executed by UNDP, DLDSP1 and DAILL2. The Programme fills a very large void in local administrations, which is the lack of financial resources to invest in development projects. In recent years there has been a profusion of development plans, and local economic development strategies; however, they are not backed up by the resources to implement them. The availability of funds will encourage and test new forms of public-private collaboration that include various municipalities and private investors.
Focusing on the Governorate of Irbid, the Programme proposes a series of activities and is inclusive of host communities and refugees. The efforts focus on creating economic opportunities and the joint search for solutions to chronic development challenges. By boosting the growth of economic sectors and supporting either the demand or supply of value chains and clusters, the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) will create jobs and enhance social cohesion, integration, and a sense of belonging among refugees and Jordanians.
3- Scope of Work
The Economic Research Assistant will provide technical support and research expertise in evidence-based policy, implementation and analytical methods, macroeconomic analysis and impact on the local level, localization of economic and social indices, socioeconomic impact assessments and provide a range of deliverables and services as agreed with the programme management for the “Improving Local Development to Increase the Resilience of Host Communities and Refugees in North Jordan” and DAILL Programmes
Functions/ Key results expected:
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- Support in analysis of the local economic environment
- Review all relevant economic data provision of periodic analysis of national and local economic and development issues and themes.
- Tracking national and local economic data and analysis.
- Tracking of current socio-economic trends.
- Advice on macroeconomic performance at the governorate and municipal levels.
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative economic sectorial research at the governorate level.
- Develop a comprehensive dashboard to support macroeconomic indicators and detection of vulnerabilities at the governorate level.
- Support in analysis of the local economic environment
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- Support in the local economic development process
- Collect and support in analysis of socio-economic data at the governorate level and present key findings along with corresponding recommendations.
- Work closely with the governorates, municipalities, MOLA, and MOI to modernize their current economic practices and make them results-focused and in tune with the management challenges faced by governorates and municipalities.
- Analyse ongoing trends, evolving needs, and emerging issues to identify appropriate responses for capacity building.
- Support in the local economic development process
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- Innovative approach to working processes
- Suggest new ways to enhance the environment and support the promotion of local economic development at the local level.
- Tracking national and local economic data, and provision of periodic analysis of national and local economic and development issues and themes.
- Generates new ideas and approaches, research best practices, and propose new, more effective ways of achieving tasks.
- Ensure green economy requirements are abided by to support sustainability.
- Innovative approach to working processes
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- Sectoral Cluster Research and Analysis
- Review and build upon previous development partners/programmes efforts and assessments to advice on macroeconomic performance at the governorate and municipal levels.
- Research potential solutions to internal and external client needs and report back in a timely, succinct, and appropriate fashion
- Collect and compile relevant literature and policy documents upon the guidance of the supervisor.
- Sectoral Cluster Research and Analysis
- Support in capital investment projects
- Report to senior management on economic findings and recommended corrective measures that feed needs assessments and projects on the ground.
- Prepare and deliver feasibility studies, economic impact assessment studies, economic modelling, and other analysis and studies at the governorate and municipality levels for the potential projects implemented by DAILL.
- Remains apprised on all capital investment projects’ updates.
- Any other activity required by the supervisor
4- Institutional Arrangement:
The Economic Research Assistant will work under the supervision of the “Improving Local Development to Increase the Resilience of Host Communities and Refugees in North Jordan” programme’s Programme Analyst.
5- Competencies:
| Core | |
| Achieve Results: | LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details,
delivers quality work by deadline |
| Think Innovatively: | LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem
solver, makes improvements |
| Learn Continuously: | LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback |
| Adapt with Agility: | LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles
ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible |
| Act with Determination: | LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of
adversity, confident |
| Engage and Partner: | LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others,
forms positive relationships |
| Enable Diversity and
Inclusion: |
LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias,
confront discrimination |
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
| Thematic Area | Name | Definition |
| Business Direction &
Strategy |
Business Acumen | Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in
a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks. |
| Business Development | Integration within the UN | Ability to identify, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations. |
| Business Management | Monitoring | Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results. |
| 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 |
| Planet | Nature, Climate and
Energy |
Green Economy: Green economy and green growth |
| Business
Management |
Project Management | Ability to plan, organize, and control resources,
procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals |
Required Skills and Experience:
| Min. Academic Education | High school education is required or a bachelor’s degree in economics, development studies, social sciences, public administration, or related fields. Specialized certification in administration or project management will be considered. |
| Min. years of relevant Work experience | Minimum of four years of experience with high school education or minimum of one year of experience with a bachelor’s degree of relevant experience in providing technical and administrative support in the field of economics, sustainable development, development research or other related fields. |
| Required skills | Research and policy-level analysis support. Usage of computers and office software packages Experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data. |
| Desired additional skills and competencies | – Design, monitor, and evaluation of development projects.
– Demonstrated ability to communicate and deal effectively with partners, including government, academia, civil society, private sector, UN, and other development donors to address the relevant issue and to ensure the greater impact of the projects/ programmes; and – Ability to work under minimum supervision in a complex environment. |
| Required Language(s) (at
working level) |
Working knowledge in Written and spoken Arabic and English |
| Professional Certificates | NA |
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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.
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