National Economist (Open to all applicants)

Somalia is emerging from one of the world’s most complex and protracted conflicts, social and political instability that caused tremendous loss of human and physical capital. Somalia is at a critical juncture as the country progresses towards sustainable transformation, determined to break away from prolonged crises and fragility. Somalia wants to transform fast, make up for decades of stagnation and catch up with the rest of the world. 

In the past two years, Somalia has made considerable progress and has undergone significant political, security and socioeconomic improvements, including (i) significant debt relief package with graduation from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC), (ii) joining to the East Africa Community, (iii) the lifting of the UN arms embargo, (iv) increase of the domestic revenue and (v) membership in the UN Security Council. Similarly, after three decades, Somalia was included in the Human Development Report (2023-2024) and for the first time in the global Human Development Index.

The UNDP Somalia has several projects and programmes which work through a joint approach with the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) and the UN Country Team to strengthen collaboration, focus and coherence in the implementation of the Somalia national priorities. Given the ongoing UNTMIS drawdown, as mandated by UN SCR 2753 (2024), and the recognition that stems from UNDP’s extensive joint programs which underscore UNDP’s critical contribution to ensuring a smooth and effective transition, it is envisaged that a number of UNTMIS led functions will be handed over to UNDP. In preparation for the envisaged handover, UNDP is positioning its presence in relevant programmatic areas, and scaling up its capacities and expertise, including for critical policy advisory, in anticipation of increased responsibilities in supporting the economic, development and social agenda in Somalia.

Somalia aspires to become a prosperous and peaceful country with a thriving, sustainable economy that can provide high-quality services and contribute to the well-being of its citizens, with stable and inclusive governance, anchored on the rule of law. This collective aspiration is encapsulated into Somalia’s National Transformation Plan (NTP) centered around four key pillars: Transformational Governance; Sustainable Economic Transformation; Social and Human Capital Transformation and Environment and Climate Resilience. To achieve its ambitious transformative agenda and inspiring vision of the future, the country is determined to tackle root causes of long-standing issues and address structural and systemic challenges. 

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative - Programme, with a matrix reporting line to the Portfolio Manager, Economic recovery and Institutional Development, the National Economist advises Senior Management on macroeconomic policies, trends, and their linkages to UNDP programmes, providing analysis for strategy formulation and briefings.

In anticipation of the planned handover of key UNTMIS-led functions to UNDP, the organization is strengthening its programmatic presence and scaling up capacities across critical areas. As part of this strategic transition, UNDP seeks to recruit an Economist to provide high-quality policy advice, analytical support, and thought leadership. The Economist will play a pivotal role in advancing UNDP’s expanding responsibilities in Somalia’s economic, development, and social sectors, ensuring the organization is well-positioned to support national priorities and drive impactful, evidence-based programming. Furthermore, the recruitment of an Economist will provide the Somalia Country Office with the necessary flexibility and agility to respond to emerging policy and programmatic demands, strategically position UNDP within the evolving UN landscape, and enhance collaboration with UNTMIS and other UN agencies. This role is critical to maintaining operational continuity, offering timely economic analysis, and informing the implementation of ongoing programmes with evidence-based insights that support Somalia’s development priorities.

Working closely with Government counterparts, the National Economist identifies alternative economic and development policy options to enhance the policy impact of UNDP projects and programmes. The National Economist advocates for and represents UNDP in his/her area of expertise as requested by his/her supervisor. 

The National Economist collaborates with programme and operations teams to integrate UNDP’s regional activities for maximum development impact. The National Economist works closely with other Country Office units: Inclusive Politics; Rule of Law and Security; Resilience and Climate Change; Economic recovery and institutional development; Gender; Programme Oversight and Quality Assurance Unit; Accelerator Lab; Partnerships; Communications; and Operations units. The Economist maintains a network with colleagues from UNDP, UN Agencies, IFIs, Government officials, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, and civil society.  

In alignment with UNDP’s portfolio approach, which fosters horizontal collaboration across units and projects, the National Economist works within multidisciplinary teams and engages closely with colleagues from the Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS) and the Global Policy Network (GPN) based in Amman, New York, and other locations. 

1.)  Provide policy advice and support to UNDP and CO management, programmes and projects on economic and development issues.

• Compile, analyze and interpret economic and statistical data, conduct thorough research of the economic and development issues in the country and prepare top quality analysis and reports aimed at promoting equitable economic growth and human development.
• Provide top quality analysis and substantive inputs to Common Country Assessments (CCA), UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), Country Programme Document (CPD), 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.
• Produce and launch economic reports, including National Human Development Reports.
• Represent UNDP in different working groups.

2.) Provide advice to Government counterparts and facilitate knowledge building on economic and development issues.

• Provide policy options, particularly from pro-poor and sustainability perspectives, on economic and development issues to governments and other development actors.
• Analyze the country’s macro-economic policies and their impact on poverty reduction, growth, equity, etc.
• Make contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Contribute to the assessment of the country’s economic policies and strategies in their impact on poverty reduction, and inclusive and sustainable growth, etc.
• Provide training and capacity building support for UNDP staff, Government officials, and public institutions on economic issues.

3.)  Participate in the building of strategic partnerships and programme design and implementation of the Country Office resource mobilization strategy.

• Develop partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, private sector, civil society and development partners based on strategic goals of UNDP and country’s priorities.
• Research and analyze information on donors and prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation.
• Assist in creating strategic partnerships by preparing notes, speeches and statements for UNDP officials and consultative meetings.
• Assist UNDP in resource mobilization by preparing analytical papers documentation for donor and consultative meetings
• Produce periodic updates and briefs on country development situation to be used by stakeholders, CO and HQ.
• Undertake selected studies/research on emerging development concerns that feed into UNDP Programme, national policies and strategies.

4.)   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 training.
• Provide support to monitoring progress and formulation of strategies towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Produce high quality research papers for UNDP presentations 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
• Contribute to UNDP regional knowledge products and development of programming offers in regional priority areas (e.g., inequality, future of work, innovative financing, development strategies, economic governance, political economy).
• Participate actively by attending regional meetings (in-person and/or virtual), sharing relevant experiences, and conducting peer reviews.

• Collaborate and contribute to regional and sub-regional publications, practice notes, and Human Development Reports

   

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

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Economics is required, or

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of an advanced university degree 

• 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 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.
• Experience in providing economic advice is desirable
• Experience in providing research papers is desirable
• Experience in analyzing the country’s macro-economic policies and their impact on poverty reduction, growth will be an advantage
• Resource Mobilization experience will be an advantage

• Fluency in English is required
• Fluency in Somali language is required for local staff
• Knowledge of another UN language is desirable 

• 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

• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s 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

Digital & Innovation 

• 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 

Crisis and Fragility Policy and Engagement 

• Data/Analytics for early warning and crisis management

SDG Integration

• Economy-wide analysis
• Engagement with South-South Global Thinkers

Digital & Innovation 

• Ability to design and facilitate a process that enables a diverse group of stakeholders to solve a common problem, develop 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