Senior Country Economist [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

Better Than Cash
Better Than Cash

Full-time

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Posted on Sep 14, 2026
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Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The Asia-Pacific region is not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On current trends, 88% of SDG targets are unlikely to be met by 2030. Meanwhile, human insecurity is at all-time highs, with more than half of people in most countries worried about their jobs. Looking ahead, the development landscape is likely to become more turbulent as existential threats from climate change combine with fresh headwinds to growth and job creation amidst rising governance risks.

It is against this backdrop—a large unfinished agenda, elevated levels of insecurity, and a more turbulent development landscape—that UNDP supports countries to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda and beyond. As the UN’s global development network, UNDP advocates for change, and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in over 170 countries and territories. Combining local presence with global expertise, it aspires to eradicate poverty, accelerate structural transformation, build resilience, and contribute to lasting sustainable development.

The Country Economist Network of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP) is one of the region’s most valuable initiatives to enhance policy support and capacity. The Network has gained additional relevance in light of the significantly more challenging context described above. In this respect, the Country Economist plays an important role at the country but also regional and global levels in contributing to renewed development momentum in an era of turbulence and uncertainty.

In the programme countries, UNDP supports stabilization, state-building, governance and development priorities in in partnership with the host governments, the United Nations system, the development partners and other partners to help the country to achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shock.

UNDP has the mandate to support SDG Integration to ensure faster progress on sustainable development and offers support in four areas, (1) integrated policy and programming solutions, (2) SDG metrics, data and analysis using state-of-the-art tools for modelling and forecasting, (3) knowledge and innovation and (4) SDG Financing options to help countries identify innovative ways to expand public and private contributions to reach the 2030 agenda.

In addition, UNDP works closely with the Government of Malaysia in providing thought leadership through support in formulation of policy options. This includes receiving high level policy requests on support for the 13th Malaysia Plan and undertaking structural economic policy analyses to achieve Malaysia’s aim of being a high income and sustainable nation by 2030.

The Country Economist works under the direct guidance of the Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative in the Country Office, in close collaboration with programme and operations teams, and has a dotted line to the RBAP Chief Economist. S/he is an ambassador of the Economist Network and is expected to contribute about 20% of her/his time to activities across the Network (in other countries, the subregion or the region). S/he will also serve as principal adviser to senior management on economic and development policy matters.

The Country Economist integrates the activities UNDP delivers in the region and ensures these contribute the greatest development impact possible. S/he makes a difference by being keenly aware of the changing development landscape, embedding a sharp strategic focus on the development interventions that matter the most, and connecting diagnostics and solutions to the politics of change and the art of delivery.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

In this respect, the Country Economist works closely with colleagues of RBAP as well as the Global Policy Network (GPN), based in Bangkok, New York, and other locations. S/he develops and maintains a professional network across development partner agencies, government institutions, the private sector, and civil society at the country level.

Duties and Responsibilities

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: This role will be responsible for supervising personnel including the consultants; and therefore, requires demonstration of UNDP People Management competencies. Provides leadership, strategic direction and quality assurance for the economics and policy function.

Advise UNDP Country Office management and programme teams on ways to strengthen evidence-based and future-oriented programme development and implementation;

  • Advise UNDP Country Office management in the preparation and implementation of country programmes and strategies, including the development of country programme document (CPD), and related analyses;
  • Advise and support UNDP Country Office teams to develop and manage relevant thematic portfolios, such as activities to support inclusive growth and progress towards the SDGs;
  • Lead UNDP Country Office efforts to conceptualize and implement the Development Finance Assessment (DFA) and accompanying process and use existing financial resources more effectively and efficiently to achieve the SDGs;
  • Lead macroeconomic, sectoral and political-economy analysis and provide strategic economic policy advice to Country Office management, programme teams and government counterparts;
  • Produce periodic economic, development and policy outlooks identifying trends, emerging risks, opportunities and implications for UNDP's country programme and strategic positioning;
  • Lead the development of the National Human Development Report (HDR) and ensure that it provides added value in terms of development economic analysis, updated data, and information for policy formulation;
  • Compile data and perform statistical analysis as required to support innovative knowledge of work country strategies and activities;
  • Advise and support the creation of large-scale development solutions to help address complex development challenges;
  • Lead the expansion of Country Office service offers on financing for development, including innovative financing models and country specific/sector specific studies;
  • Lead the Country Office's economic and policy knowledge agenda, including flagship reports, policy notes, strategic foresight papers, executive briefs and thought-leadership publications;
  • Translate economic analysis into actionable programme concepts, policy advisory services, partnership opportunities and resource mobilization pipelines.

Lead policy advice to national government counterparts and other partners, especially in support of the 2030 Agenda and the introduction of sustainable and inclusive economic policies;

  • Advise and facilitate dialogue on sustainable development issues with government officials, development partners, civil society, and private sector;
  • Provide policy and programming advice and support for development planning and policy formulation at the national, sub-national, and local levels;
  • Advise and support the identification and analysis of interventions that can impact multiple development goals and targets at the same time;
  • Advise and support monitoring and reporting of progress related to SDGs and other national development frameworks, including strengthening national and local level data collection and statistical capacity;
  • Leverage UNDP’s regional and global programmes, to provide holistic and effective support to the country;
  • Leverage support and expertise from the UNDP’s global/regional Economist networks to strengthen UNDP’s support on economic analysis and policy development for the Government and the UN Country Team.
  • Convene and shape policy dialogues, strategic roundtables and knowledge exchanges that advance UNDP's policy influence and thought leadership.

Advocate and engage with partners to support UNDP’s institutional positioning and advance its mandate, when directed by the Resident Representative;

  • Contribute, in close collaboration with senior management, to the development and/or strengthening of partnerships with UN agencies, IFIs, bilateral development agencies, private sector entities, and civil society.
  • Represent UNDP as a recognized thought leader and technical spokesperson in national and regional economic-policy forums;
  • Support the Resident Representative in resource mobilization and future growth strategies;
  • Contribute to national, regional, and global knowledge networks and communities of practice.
  • Develop and maintain strategic relationships with government, academia, think tanks, the private sector and development partners to strengthen policy influence and programme development.

Contribute to UNDP’s work across the Asia-Pacific region, including collaboration with RBAP’s Economist Network, sub-regional and other Country Offices, and analytical work on priority regional thematic areas and facilitating knowledge sharing:

  • Contribute to UNDP regional knowledge products and development of programming offers in regional priority areas (e.g., inequality, future of work, innovative financing, development strategies, economic governance, political economy);
  • Participate actively in the Economist Network of RBAP by attending regional meetings (in-person and/or virtual), sharing relevant experiences, and contributing to peer reviews;
  • Collaborate and contribute to regional and sub-regional publications, practice notes, and Regional Human Development Reports;
  • Stay informed about broader developments, contribute to cross-border and cross-GPN initiatives, and support the economist network through common analyses, frameworks, and templates;
  • Enhance UNDP’s understanding and design of new approaches to sustainable development across the region by acting as a regional thematic lead where possible.

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

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

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy

  • System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

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

  • Communication: 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
  • Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment; Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management

Digital

  • Data literacy: Understand the potential as well as the limitations of using data driven innovation; Ability to use a mix of data sources (quantitative, qualitative or real-time techniques) to develop understanding, identify patterns to inform decision making or identify opportunities for further exploration
  • Co-creation: Ability to design and facilitate a process that enables a diverse group of stakeholders to solve a common problem, develop a practice, or create knowledge together; Ability to embrace diversity, work with a diverse group of stakeholders, understand their interests, perspectives and views and tap into them as a source for creativity; Ability to facilitate processes and create conditions that are open for diverse inputs, stimulate collaboration and sharing.

Programme and policy

  • SDG Integration: Microeconomic Models/ Analysis; Macroeconomic Models/ Analysis; Economic Forecasting; Integrated Policy

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics or related field is required; Or
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Economics or related field in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  • A Ph.D. in Economics will be an advantage.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level that includes extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis, and some experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects is required;
  • Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis, covering (for example) labour markets, public finance, development finance, structural transformation, economic modelling, and AI-related policy issues is required;
  • Proven policy, advisory, and advocacy experience is required;
  • Experience in preparing high-quality policy briefs and guidance notes for use by senior policymakers is required;
  • Experience in strategic visioning with strong technical and highly developed analytical capabilities is desired;
  • Experience leading or managing an economics, research or policy advisory function is desirable;
  • Experience and knowledge of the SDGs and their application at the national level, politically astute with demonstrated experience in stakeholder analysis and engagement is an asset;
  • Experience in handling data and software programmes for statistical analysis is desired;
  • Previous work experience in Asia and the Pacific region and cross-country experience would be an asset.

Languuage Requirement:

  • Fluency in oral and written English and national language of the duty station (Bahasa Melayu) is required.
  • Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

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.

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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