The United Nations is the one international organization with the reach and vision capable of solving global problems. The United Nations Foundation links the UN’s work with others around the world, mobilizing the energy and expertise of business and non-governmental organizations to help the UN tackle issues including climate change, global health, peace and security, women’s empowerment, poverty eradication, energy access, and U.S.-UN relations.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Development Coordination Officer, Economist – NOC
Job Opening ID: 249900
Location: Abuja
Department/Office : Resident Coordinator System
Job Network: Economic, Social and Development
Job Family: Sustainable Development
Category and Level: National Professional Officers, NO-C
Job Details
- As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator – the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at the country level – support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs.
- The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Abuja, Nigeria and reports to the Senior Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
Plans, facilitates, and consolidates evidence-based analysis of the status of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), sustainable development trends, challenges and opportunities in the country, providing substantive advice to the Resident Coordinator (RC) and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), particularly on elements pertaining to SDG acceleration, economic transformation agenda (including green and just transition, digital transformation) and SDG financing:
- Researches, analyzes and presents SDG-related data, as well as information on emerging best practices in sustainable development, paying special attention to gender and capacity development, and proposes policy options to the RC/UNCT.
- Identifies and analyzes issues that impact multiple SDGs and their targets and proposes ‘accelerator interventions’ that can help unlock and accelerate progress towards sustainable development across multiple areas.
- Assesses sustainable development trade-offs and risk factors, as well as early-warning indicators that may undermine the achievement of SDG targets and impact on the UN’s role and programme in the country.
- Collects and analyzes economic-related data on UN country level operations in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
- Researches, develops and presents policy papers, guidance notes and other knowledge based-tools for discussion in country-level forums to help influence and advance policy dialogue on achieving the SDGs.
- Contributes to the preparation of UN flagship reports, including the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and its annual updates, including the analysis of data and the provision of evidence to build the case for policies and interventions on the SDGs.
- Monitors regional and global economic trends and issues and analyses their implications for the realization of the SDGs at the country level.
Provides substantive advice on innovative economic and SDG policies to the RC and the UNCT, as well as to national counterparts in government and other relevant partners:
- Provides substantive support to the RC/UNCT on SDG-related issues, particularly on policies to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs and provides advice on potential trade-offs between SDGs.
- Identifies issues and proposes recommendations on how UN country-level operations can be optimized and better respond to sustainable development needs and emerging trends in country.
- Together with UNCT members, plans and facilitates an integrated approach to the UN’s policy advice to national counterparts in government and other external partners.
- Drives cross-pillar nexus approaches in country to policy, analysis and assessment.
- Elicits, evaluates and consolidates policy options proposed by UNCT members, ensuring an integrated approach to the UN’s policy advice to national counterparts in government and other external partners.
- Fosters peer-exchanges and opens a consistent channel of communication and strong partnerships with UN and non-UN entities’ economists, and creates and consolidates common, convergent and coherent advocacy opportunities on topics related to SDG acceleration, economic transformation and SDG financing.
- Working in close collaboration with the RCO Partnerships and Development Finance Officer, ensures effective engagement of all relevant counterparts (including IFIs, private sector, civil society, and academia) to develop collaboration and partnerships around SDG acceleration, economic transformation and SDG financing.
Assists the UNCT with the development of a new generation of an integrated SDG programming cycle that promotes SDG acceleration and advances the economic transformation agenda. This includes, amongst others, contributing to the development of roadmaps, the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), UN joint programmes, and annual reports:
- Assists the development and implementation of the UNSDCF to ensure that the UN’s country-level operational activities effectively support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in country.
- Provides substantive support to programme formulation and revision throughout the UNSDCF cycle, based on sound SDG analysis.
- Contributes to the UN joint programming process to identify and support the formulation of a new generation of UN joint programmes that are aligned with the SDGs, oriented towards investment, and have impact at the national level.
- Assists UNSDCF Result Groups and/or other coordination entities in the implementation of joint workplans to promote SDG-relevant and SDG-responsive UN operational activities for development.
- Proposes recommendations, plans and facilitates UN support to governmental and multi- stakeholder processes on SDG policy development and capacity development.
- Provides economic analysis and advice as inputs into the cross-pillar / (Humanitarian Development Peace Nexus (HDPN) approaches in country.
Plans and directs SDG knowledge generation and management around the SDG acceleration, economic transformation and SDG financing agendas, in support of a shared understanding by the UNCT of sustainable development trends, challenges and opportunities:
- Plans, facilitates and contributes to local, regional and global communities of practice and knowledge networks that promote collaboration, peer support, innovation, good practices, lessons learned, needs and opportunities in the area of sustainable development.
- Researches, analyzes and presents best practices and lessons learned from implementation of UNCT projects and programmes, with a view to advising the RC and UNCT on actions to strengthen the policy orientation of the UN.
- Monitors and analyzes best practices and successful models implemented by the UN in country and suggests options for developing these into bankable national SDG investment policies and programmes.
- Provides advice on and contributes to global/corporate guidelines, tools and other materials related to sustainable development policy.
Other:
- Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
- Ensures that requirements, background information used for data analysis are documented.
- Performs other relevant duties as assigned.
Requirements
Educational Qualification:
- Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent Degree) in Economics, Sustainable Development, Public Policy, Business or Pblic Administration, Social Sciences, Education or related area or related area is required.
- A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.
Experience:
- A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development policy, economic analysis or project/programme management in the context of development cooperation or related area is required.
- Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
- Experience in supporting development financing in SDG financing is desirable.
- Work experience coordinating multi-stakeholder spaces and participatory assessment processes; ability to collaborate with others, to give his/her own perspective, and to be open to diverse perspectives is desirable.
Competencies
Professionalism:
- Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches.
- Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/ problems.
- Ability to conduct data collection using various methods, analyze and interpret it in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
- Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic resources on the internet, intranet and other databases.
- Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
- Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Accountability:
- Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments;
- Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;
- Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
- Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments;
- Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
Planning and Organizing:
- Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments;
- Adjusts priorities as required;
- Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
- Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
- Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Language:
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.
- Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. NOTE: “Fluency” equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and “knowledge of” equals a rating of “Confident” in two of the four areas.
Assessments:
- Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment, such as a written test, which will be followed by a competency-based interview by phone/Teleconference (MS Teams) or in-person, where possible.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply
Application Deadline 11th September, 2025.
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