Inter-Regional Adviser on Financing for Development

United Nations
New York - United States
S: Competitive

Org. Setting and Reporting

The vacancy is in the Capacity Development Unit (CDU) of the Financing for Development Office (FfDO), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).

The Office is mandated to provide effective substantive support for sustained follow-up to and implementation of the agreements and commitments reached at the International Conferences on Financing for Development, including these contained in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA), as well as the means of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The FfDO's Capacity Development Unit is tasked with overseeing and coordinating all capacity development activities, undertaken by the Office, aimed at better enabling Member States to implement the above agreements and commitments.

Under this organizational setting, the Inter-Regional Adviser (IRA) is responsible for providing high-level technical expertise to Governments in developing countries. The incumbent will facilitate the transfer of knowledge and expertise from FfDO on policy-related issues, development strategies and the formulation, assessment or evaluation of projects and programmes, with a view to strengthening the capacity of developing countries to implement their commitments included in the action areas A and B of the AAAA ("Domestic public resources" and "Domestic and international private business and finance”)

The Adviser will be member of DESA's IRA Network. The services of the IRA need to comply with intergovernmental guidance on the use of the Regular Programme on Technical Cooperation (RPTC), when appropriate, and with strategies and guidance concerning capacity development activities endorsed by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs and supported by the Capacity Development Office.

Responsibilities

The incumbent will carry out the following tasks:

•Develop and manage capacity development projects;
•Develop, in collaboration with staff of FfDO/CDU, the conceptual framework and strategy for the Units' capacity development work aimed at better enabling Member States to implement their commitments as agreed in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA), taking into account the comparative advantage of FfDO as the focal point for the follow-up to the AAAA;
•Provide written inputs to programmatic and budgetary documents of the Unit, within his/her area of responsibility;
•Draft the required project documentation, including project documents (adhering to Development Account (DA), Regular Programme on Technical Cooperation (RPTC) and extrabudgetary (XB) guidelines);
•Develop, in consultation with government officials in developing countries, toolkits/methodologies, which will outline various evidence-based policy options for implementing commitments included in the action areas A and B of the AAAA ("Domestic public resources" and "Domestic and international private business and finance”), facilitate assessment and assist in implementation of these options by the policy makers in developing countries with the view to promoting sustainable development;
•Liaise – including through short-term field missions – with Governments and other relevant stakeholders in developing countries to provide policy advice upon their request on the use of the above toolkits/methodologies, and follow up on the institutionalization of newly developed capacities;
•Take lead, make substantive contributions to and assist with the preparation of global/regional/sub-regional/national workshops, seminars, other training events;
•Reach out and liaise with relevant parts of the UN development system (including other Divisions within DESA, the UN Regional Commissions and United Nations Development Programme), the World Bank, IMF and other international development agencies, to explore possible areas of joint activities and collaboration in pursuing the FfDO strategy on capacity development;
•Carry out the required reporting, monitoring and evaluation of capacity development projects;
•Effectively disseminate FfDO's capacity development accomplishments and products;
•Strengthen the two-way linkages between the capacity development activities and the normative and analytical work of FfDO;
•Ensure implementation for gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implication for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies and programmes, in all areas and at all levels;
•Contribute to the Department's resource mobilization strategies, notably as far as extra-budgetary funding is concerned and secures funding for additional project activities;
•Assume other tasks in his/her area of expertise and in line with capacity development strategy as requested by the supervisor.

Competencies

•Professionalism. In general: a) Shows pride in work and achievements; b) demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter (as described above); c) is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; d) is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; e) shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; d) remains calm in stressful situations.
In particular DESA is looking for staff with the following technical competence: 1) demonstrated high-level technical expertise in issues covered in the action areas A and B of the AAAA ("Domestic public resources" and "Domestic and international private business and finance”); 2) Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in financing for development and formulating financing policies in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Financing for Development follow-up processes; 3) proven ability in preparing robust project proposals and in managing project implementation; 4) familiarity with potential donors' policies (member states, UN funds and programmes, global funds, International Financial Institutions etc.); 5) familiarity with concepts and approaches related to capacity development and conversant with Results Based Budgeting/Results Based Monitoring (RBB/RBM) approaches and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) approaches; 6) proven ability in building partnerships with national institutions and other organizations involved in the development process; 7) proven ability in mobilizing resources; 8) taking responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
•Communication: a) Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; b) listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; c) asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; d) tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; e) demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
•Planning and Organizing: a) Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; b) identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; c) allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; d) foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; e) monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; f) uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced University degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in economics or related field.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the fields of economics and economic development, gained through involvement in policy formulation, economic research, academic or related work; b) at least five years of the professional experience should be advisory work in developing countries (including transition countries), preferably in more than one region. Proven experience in project design and implementation. Proven experience in mobilising financial resources and creating partnerships to advance capacity development programmes.

Languages

Fluency in English in required. Fluency in either French or Spanish is required.

Job summary