Economist

UN Secretariat; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The UN Secretariat, through the Resident Coordinator Office in San Jose, Costa Rica, seeks an Economist to deliver substantive economic analysis that advances sustainable development and SDG financing. You will translate data into policy options and contribute to policy papers and knowledge products for the RC and UNCT.

Ideal candidates hold a Master’s in Economics with five years of relevant experience, strong data interpretation and policy-analysis skills, and fluency in English, Spanish, and

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in Economics required; Master’s preferred.
• Five+ years of progressive economic research/analysis experience required.
• Experience in SDG financing, policy analysis, and engaging diverse stakeholders preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide substantive economic analysis and evidence-based advice on sustainable development and SDG financing.
• Analyze economic and social data, trends, and best practices for policy options.
• Support RC and UNCT with policy papers, briefing materials, and knowledge products.

Skills

Professionalism

Accountability

Planning and Organizing

Client Orientation

Technological Awareness

SDG theories

Data collection and analysis

Conceptual and analytical skills

Research and analysis

Data interpretation

Gender perspective integration

Deadlines

Stress management

English

Spanish

French

Education

Master's degree in Economics

Bachelor's degree + 2 years qualifying experience

Job description

Organizational context: The UN Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in San Jose, Costa Rica, operates under the UN's global reform to enhance the UN Development System's effectiveness in achieving the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. As part of the UN Secretariat, the RCO supports country-level development priorities under an empowered UN Resident Coordinator. This role is situated within the RCO, reporting to the Head of Office and functionally linked to the SDG Policy and Financing Section, collaborating to align SDG policy and financing support with UN 2.0 priorities.

Job purpose: The Economist will provide substantive economic analysis and evidence-based advice to support sustainable development, economic transformation, and SDG financing efforts within the UN Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in San Jose, Costa Rica. This role is crucial for assisting the Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team (UNCT) in identifying challenges and opportunities to accelerate SDG progress. The Economist will analyze economic and social data, monitor global and national economic developments, and contribute to policy papers, briefing materials, and knowledge products. Key contributions include supporting integrated UN policy, fostering partnerships with national counterparts and stakeholders, and integrating economic and financing analysis into the UN sustainable development programming cycle, including the Common Country Analysis and UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. The role also involves contributing to knowledge management and promoting the application of UN 2.0 capabilities like data, digitalization, and innovation.

Responsibilities: The Economist is responsible for providing substantive economic analysis and evidence-based advice on sustainable development, economic transformation, and SDG financing. This includes researching, analyzing, and presenting economic and social data, trends, and best practices. The role involves conducting economic and policy analysis to support the Resident Coordinator (RC) and UN Country Team (UNCT) in identifying challenges and policy options for SDG acceleration, ensuring gender equality and 'leave no one behind' principles are considered. The Economist will support the implementation of global guidelines and tools related to economic transformation and SDG financing, contributing to integrated SDG analysis, strategic foresight, and data-driven decision-making. Responsibilities also include preparing analytical inputs for policy papers, briefing materials, and knowledge products, monitoring economic developments, and analyzing the role of the private sector in sustainable economic transformation and financing. Furthermore, the Economist will support partnerships and engagement with national counterparts and stakeholders, contribute economic and financing analysis to the UN sustainable development programming cycle (CCA, UNSDCF), and participate in knowledge management and learning activities.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Economics is required. A first-level degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. A degree or program in Data Analytics, Demographic Analysis, Business Analytics, or Data Science is considered an advantage.

Work experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in economic research, analysis, macroeconomic/socioeconomic policy, or development economics is required. Experience in economic/policy analysis, translating trends into policy options, and SDG financing is essential. Desirable experience includes working with diverse stakeholders, supporting strategic planning, engaging in partnership and resource mobilization, and applying inclusive approaches in economic analysis.

Skills: Professionalism, Accountability, Planning and Organizing, Client Orientation, Technological Awareness, ability to apply sustainable development theories, conduct data collection and analysis, conceptual and analytical skills, research and analysis, data interpretation, gender perspective integration, commitment to deadlines, and adaptability to stressful situations.

Required languages: English, Spanish, French

Desired languages: