Background Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Lebanon is still going through one of the worst economic crises in its modern history. Since October 2019, the economy has shrunk by more than 39.9%, with GDP dropping from US$54.9 billion in 2018 to an estimated US$23 billion in 2022. This has led to a significant decrease in GDP per capita, falling from $9,225 in 2018 to an estimated $3,303 in 2022[1].
The brutal economic collapse has had severe social and humanitarian consequences, disproportionally affecting vulnerable groups especially women and youth. Vulnerable groups including women, youth among others have been bearing the brunt of the crisis: women unemployment rates reached as high as 32%[2], exacerbating the existing gender gap.
UNDP Lebanon is implementing a comprehensive approach that would foster women equal access to resources, tools and economic opportunities (markets) that would enable them to do business better, while making sure that institutions (public and private) are more responsive to women’s needs and are able to provide them with the needed tools, systems and opportunities to be the main drivers of their economic success and empowerment. Emphasis will be put on supporting the most vulnerable women to improve their economic opportunities and their access to and control over productive assets and income.
By supporting women access to economic opportunities, the project will be supporting job stabilization as well as job creation directly and indirectly, thus contributing to poverty reduction. More specifically, by providing women with the tools to compete nationally and internationally, and by ensuring they are prepared i.e. their products and services have the needed quality to enter markets and generate opportunities, the project will ensure that women-led businesses can continuously generate the needed income to grow and sustain livelihood, thus contributing to poverty reduction. Furthermore, the various skills trainings provided for women in will also bridge the gap between the supply and the demand sides of the job market, thus directly supporting target beneficiaries in accessing employment.
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[1] World Bank Data
[2] ILO and Central Administration of Statistics, Lebanon follow-up Labour Force Survey January 2022.
Duties and ResponsibilitiesUNDP Lebanon is seeking an Economist to effectively manage and support the implementation of the UNDP Women’s Economic Empowerment Through Advancing Women-Led Enterprises in Lebanon project, oversee and coordinate the implementation of institutional as well as the implementation of the access to finance initiative
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Economist will be primarily responsible for the following work streams:
- Support in the implementation of the Trade Readiness Activities
- Support in the implementation of the Access to Finance Activities
- Provide substantive technical knowledge in economic and trade development activities.
Support in the Implementation of SME Trade Readiness Activities
- Provide technical analysis to support in the shortlisting and prioritization of economic sectors that will form the basis of intervention of the project
- Oversee all survey development, dissemination and analysis
- Provide technical analysis for the development of the modus operandi of the Trade Help Desk leveraging data gathered by the research and the survey findings
- Review the structure and content of the information that will be made available on the Trade Help Desk leveraging the needs assessment conducted and mapping of institutions functions and capacities
- Oversee the selection and training of the technical team that will support the Trade Help Desk and the communication campaign that will be implemented to promote the Trade Help desk services
- Provide technical analysis for the prioritization of one trade process that will be automated
- Closely coordinate with the IT Departments in the concerned ministries to ensure synergy and complementarity in the support provided to the automation
- Engage with various stakeholders including the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Agriculture, regional chambers and relevant private sector associations as needed
- Coordinate with UN partners on the implementation of the Access to Market Programs
- Draft internal UNDP briefing notes and talking points when needed
Participate actively in the Implementation of the Access to Finance Initiative
- Support in the implementation of the Access to Finance initiative that UNDP is leading on, including the piloting of the Grant Scheme and Equity Matching Fund for this project
- Support in short-listing of potential financial institutions that will be responsible for managing the financing schemes and support UNDP in building and maintaining linkages and alliances with the different types of financial players in the country
- Review and provide feedback on the training material and content developed by financial institutions in relation to the Financial Literacy Training and the Investment Readiness Training
- Coordinate the development and implementation of the business matchmaking platform
- Staying abreast of changes in the financing landscape in Lebanon including the emergence of new financial players, the issuance of new regulations, etc
- Review investor roadshows proposals including investor list, monitor and track their implementation and report on progress
- Coordinate the development of policy papers to promote the development of new funding instruments for SMEs in Lebanon
Ensure Knowledge Management:
- Facilitate setting up the interventions under the project as well as coordinate their implementation as per standard operating procedures, including knowledge capture from past initiatives.
- Collaborate on evidence collection and lessons-learned including promoting best practice sharing and peer learning through case-studies.
- Collaborate on knowledge management between various stakeholders, including between various UN agencies
- Develop concept notes for technical workshops/webinars/side-events related to access to finance
Ensure Outreach Engagement:
- Collaborate on project communications, including Annual Reports and Newsletters.
- Facilitate consultations with women-led SMEs and associations
- Coordinate the organization of events, including high-level launches of the project.
- Collaborate on lessons-learned from the project activities, including through case-studies.
- Develop resources to enhance capacities within UNDP on private sector support
- Follow technical discussions in other fora and represent UNDP in relevant meetings.
- Perform other duties, as may be required by the Supervisor.
Institutional Arrangement
The selected incumbent will be working under the overall guidance and under the direct supervision of the WEE Project Manager.
Competencies: Core 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 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
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Thematic Area Name Definition Business Development UNDP Representation Ability to represent UNDP and productively share UNDP knowledge and activities; advocate for UNDP, its values, mission and work with various constituencies
Business Management Partnerships Management Ability to build and maintain partnerships, networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
Business Direction and Strategy Negotiation and Influence Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates win-win situations
2030 Agenda: Prosperity Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility Women's Economic Empowerment
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 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
Required Skills and Experience
Min. Education requirements •Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in economics, finance, public policy; or related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience Minimum 2 years (with master's degree) or 4 years (with bachelor's degree) of progressive relevant experience in economic development and policy making with extensive experience working with the Lebanese government.
Required skills Strong record in advising and engaging with governments on public policy, as well as engaging with SMEs and the private sector as well as extensive knowledge on working with financial institutions
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section - Excellent knowledge/experience of Lebanon current economic issues
- Excellent knowledge/experience of the financial system and its players
- Thorough understanding and experience of SMEs and private sector development
- Excellent writing and analytical skills, including the proven ability to write concept notes, outcome reporting, and other written communication.
- Experience working in Lebanon or the region
- Experience working with UNDP or other international organizations
- Experience of results-oriented based project management.
- Working knowledge of the context in Lebanon will be an advantage
Required Language(s) Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required.
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Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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Note: 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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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