Background
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to tackle the injustices of poverty, inequality, and climate change on a global scale. Working with our broad network of experts, host governments and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law.
Following the power shift in August 2021, the situation for the country remains largely uncertain and fragile, with approximately seventy five percent of the population facing multifaceted vulnerabilities affecting their well-being, human security and long-term development while nearly a third of the population are estimated to be acutely food insecure. Over the recent years, international assistance has played a vital role in averting a socioeconomic collapse by providing lifesaving, resilience-building and livelihoods-sustaining assistance to millions of people, hundreds of critical healthcare and educational centres, and tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises, often owned and managed by women. Nevertheless, the humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan is one of the biggest in the world, and basic human needs and priorities remain extremely high. In 2024, 95 percent of households experienced at least one shock of an economic or natural disaster nature such as floods, droughts and others.
To help tackle the pressing challenges for enduring livelihoods and climate resilience, UNDP is designing fit-for-purpose portfolios of programs to create new livelihoods, income opportunities, basic services and to build resilience against climate-induced natural calamities that continue to haunt millions of households in the country.
Afghanistan remains one of the most gender-unequal countries in the world, with women facing systemic challenges hindering their access to education and employment opportunities in the public sector and restricting their participation in public life. UNDP remains committed to women's empowerment through capacity-building initiatives, livelihoods and self-employment/employment support, enhancing gender-responsive decision-making at community level, and supporting local communities to include women, in line with UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security).
The Policy, Innovation and Knowledge Unit (PIKU) is a center of research and policy excellence within UNDP Afghanistan, collaborating with others to undertake quality analysis to support the development of innovative, evidence-based development solutions in the country context. PIKU utilizes cutting edge analytical and modelling tools to navigate and make sense of Afghanistan’s evolving development landscape, and provides rigorous and robust analysis of current conditions and future scenarios.
Our work lies at the heart of policy and programme innovation and development in the Country Office and we work closely across the UN family and with other development partners to link, learn, adapt and innovate, making best use of the combined resources available. Through our work and the knowledge products we produce, we build capacity in Country Office teams to achieve analytical excellence and effective policy and programme development and implementation.
Duties and Responsibilities
As part of our work in Afghanistan, UNDP conducts research and analysis to inform and guide the development and delivery of programmes and projects. UNDP also engages in evidence-based policy advocacy to affect change, and to impact positively upon the lives of the most vulnerable in the country. The Senior Economic Specialist will lead aspects of the production of the Country Office’s flagship annual publication, the Afghanistan Socio-Economic Review (ASER) 2024-2025.[1] The Senior Economic Specialist will ensure that the review will be developed to a very high standard, including leading the analysis of key household survey data to produce a multi-dimensional index of household subsistence insecurity. The Senior Economic Specialist will draft key chapters of the report using the data, will provide support and input to other chapters of the ASER, as well as peer reviewing all other sections of the report and presenting the report as appropriate. The Senior Economic Specialist will also support PIKU in peer reviewing and supporting the development of other knowledge products under development, as appropriate. The Senior Economic Specialist will work with Unit staff, experts and counterparts from within UNDP Afghanistan, the wider UNDP organisation, and other UN and development agency partners to deliver on this assignment. Specifically, the scope of work will cover the following key results and functions:
Under the supervision and technical guidance of the UNDP Afghanistan Head of the Policy, Innovation and Knowledge Unit, and in collaboration with relevant Country Office, UNDP regional and HQ colleagues, the Senior Economic Specialist will undertake the following:
1.Undertake analysis of multi-dimensional household insecurity through household survey data, and other available data sources. This will include doing the following:
2.Contribute to other sections of the report as required and support PIKU to produce a rigorous, technically sound and impactful report. This will include, but is not restricted to, the following:
3.Support the launch and dissemination of the report, as required. This may include:
4.Undertake any other duties to support economic analysis of PIKU Knowledge Products, as directed by the Head of Unit.
Competencies:
Core competencies Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-functional and technical competencies
Thematic Are
Name
Defination
Business Direction & Strategy
Futures and Foresight
Ability to look at information from the past and present, identify patterns and trends and use them to inform decision making with a long-term view. Being sensitive and able to scan horizons and pick up weak signals of change, explore their potential implications and assess their impact and urgency. Using creativity and imagination to communicate insights in compelling and engaging ways to challenge current mental models; ability to develop scenarios, speculative designs to present future visions or by making it experiential. Being able to facilitate debate and discussion about possible futures; help people to feel comfortable with the discomfort of uncertainty.
Business Development
Knowledge Generation
Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
Business Management
Working with Evidence and Data
Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform, and model data to discover useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.
Digital
Data Analysis
Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making.
Digital
Data storytelling and communications
Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion.
2030 Agenda: Prosperity
Inclusive Growth
Multidimensional Poverty and Human Development.
2030 Agenda: People
Gender
Data and Research on Gender Equality.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Experience:
Skills:
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:
Required Language(s):
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
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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This vacancy is archived.