Economic Associate

The 2015 Addis Ababa Action Agenda emphasized the importance of holistic approaches to financing the Sustainable Developmentnt Goals (SDGs). In response, UNDP launched Financing for Development (FfD) portfolios, which include initiatives in partnership with both governmental and private stakeholders to align public and private capital flows with national development priorities and to mobilize the necessary financing for large-scale development impacts.

Jordan has adopted the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) approach to strengthen planning processes and overcome existing impediments to financing sustainable development at the country level. UNDP Jordan Country Office is leading the technical support to the Government to develop the INFF, which started with the assessment and diagnostic building block. Building on the Development Finance Assessment, the Government-led financing strategy will lay out financing policy actions aimed at aligning existing financing and leveraging innovative financing sources towards key sectors of the Economic Modernisation Vision.

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 extended a grant to UNDP for the implementation of the “Improving Local Development to Increase the Resilience of Host Communities and Refugees in North Jordan Programme”. The Programme addresses the lack of financial resources to invest in development projects and test new forms of public-private collaboration that include municipalities and private investors. Focusing on the Governorate of Irbid, it aims at creating economic opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to create jobs and enhance social cohesion, integration, and a sense of belonging among refugees and Jordanian host communities.

UNDP Jordan Country Office is committed to supporting access to finance for all, and especially for most underserved populations. Leveraging partnerships with the public and private financing stakeholders, the “Fintech for Women’s Economic Empowerment Project” seeks to enhance the participation of rural women in the green sector, by expanding their access to digital financial services and improving financial literacy.

The Economic Associate will provide technical support and research expertise in economic policy, macroeconomic analysis, socioeconomic data analysis, and activity implementation as required for UNDP Jordan’s FfD and Local Economic Development (LED) Programmes. 

Functions/ Key results expected:

Support the analysis of development trends and the economic environment.

• Review relevant economic news and literature relating to national and local economic development issues  and socioeconomic trends, including the participation of women and vulnerable populations.
• Collect and analyze national and local economic data, including gender-disaggregated data, as required for UNDP’s programmes implementation.
• Analyze macroeconomic performance at the governorate and municipal levels and draft evidence-based policy recommendations.
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative economic sectorial research at the governorate level.
• Develop a comprehensive dashboard of macroeconomic and financial indicators and detection of vulnerabilities at the governorate level.

Support the local economic development programme implementation.

• Work closely with the governorates, municipalities, Ministry of Local Administration, and Ministry of Interior to modernize their current economic practices and make them results-focused and in tune with the management challenges faced by governorates and municipalities.
• Analyze ongoing trends, evolving needs, and emerging issues to identify appropriate responses for capacity building.
• Provide technical support to activities, including drafting terms of references, presentations and briefings on economic and financial topics, communication, organization of meetings and workshops, taking meeting minutes.

Promote innovative approach to working processes.

• Suggest new ways to promote local economic development.
• Generates new ideas and approaches, research best practices, and propose new, more effective solutions to internal and external client needs.
• Keep up with innovative financing instruments and suggest partnerships to leverage Fintech and other financial services to enhance access to financing for vulnerable populations and MSMEs.

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 LED projects.
• Remains apprised on all capital investment projects’ updates.

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

Institutional Arrangement

The Economic Associate will work under the supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative.
 

• 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 the 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

Technical and Cross-Functional Competencies: 

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.
• 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 
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels
• Project Management  
  • Ability to   plan,  organize,   and   control  resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals

2030 Agenda: Planet   

• Nature, Climate, and Energy Green Economy: 
  • Green economy and green growth