Application System for Careers at Afghanistan Holding Group

Economic Advisor

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Post Date :2022-11-01 Close Date :2022-11-09

Job location:		Organization:	Moore Afghanistan
Nationality:	Afghan	Years of Experience:	5-7
Category :	Economic Advisor	Contract Duration:	2 Months
Employment Type:	Shot Term	Gender:	Any
Salary:	3000	Education:	A graduate degree in economics, with specialization in macroeconomics or development economics. A PhD qualification in economics is desirable.
Vacancy Number:	0546	Number of Available Positions:	2

About Moore Afghanistan :

At Moore, our purpose is to help people thrive – our clients, our people and the communities they live and work in. We’re a global accounting and advisory family of over 30,000 people across more than 260 independent firms and 110 countries, connecting and collaborating to take care of your needs – local, national and international. When you work with Moore firms, you’ll work with people who care deeply about your success and who have the drive and dedication to deliver results for you and your business. You’ll have greater access to senior expertise than with many firms. We’ll be here for you whenever you need us – to help you see through the maze of information, to guide you in your decisions and to make sure you take advantage of every opportunity. To help you thrive in a changing world.

Job Summary :

Economic Advisor

Job Requirements :

Background

Afghanistan has experienced tumultuous changes and difficulties since August 2021. The conditions that prevailed before the change in political regime were already arduous. The country had suffered for long from prolonged conflict, state fragility, weak institutions, corruption, and widespread poverty. The economy was small and mainly agricultural and oriented to services, but it was very much influenced by the two-decade long presence of external forces and the very large foreign transfers for both security and civilian purposes. Those transfers, which recently amounted to about 40 percent of GDP, played an important role in shaping economic incentives system and structures. Afghanistan also received considerable financial support and policy advice from the international financial and development institutions. Nevertheless, poverty was pervasive. A significant number of Afghans were displaced or had emigrated abroad. Domestic revenue mobilization by the government was inefficient and undermined by corruption. The financial system was small and played a negligible role in financing the private sector. On top of these troubles, COVID-19 started to take a toll on the population starting in 2020. Overall, while gains were being made in some respects, including women’s education and participation in the labor force, Afghanistan was in unenviable conditions.

The economy was already in difficulty before political changes in August 2021. Growth had been on a downward trend for several years. With COVID-19 and a drought, the economy shrank by 2.4 percent in 2020. Inflation also picked up in 2020. The events of August 15 fundamentally changed the politics and economy of Afghanistan. Profound uncertainties set in about the governance and policies of the new regime, especially about the social and economic role of women. The international community in large part cut off political and economic relations with Afghanistan. The large inflow of international financial resources was stopped, causing a sudden stop in foreign exchange inflows. At the same time, Afghanistan’s official foreign exchange reserves were frozen, and strenuous sanctions were implemented, halting external trade and financial transactions further deteriorating the socio-economic impacts of the shocks. Without a sustainable and inclusive economic recovery, the challenge of near-universal poverty, mounting unemployment, trade deficit and fiscal crisis will not be overcome.

UNDP Afghanistan is leading on the development narrative and policy dialogue to complement and support the ongoing humanitarian response in Afghanistan which will neither be sustainable nor adequate given the extent and depth of the economic shocks and the humanitarian crises. On this basis, UDNP intends to engage with stakeholders in Afghanistan in order to explore ways for programmatic approaches and interventions that can stimulate economic recovery and growth.

Rationale

UNDP Afghanistan is recruiting two National Consultants who will both serve in the capacity of Economic Advisor to work for UNDP and help review the currently applicable country economic policies and priorities and suggest recommendations for improved economic management and development outcomes. The Economic Advisors will report to the Head of Policy Unit at UNDP and will be required to conduct thematic analyses of macroeconomic policies and trends in Afghanistan and will produce and present policy notes, briefs and will contribute to working and economic papers on Afghanistan development issues. Additionally, the advisors will undertake comprehensive data collection, assessments and analytical work in support of UNDP Policy Unit’s mandate, particularly with respect to production of knowledge products that are the basis of UNDP programmatic interventions in the areas of private sector development, job creation, trade facilitation and economic recovery and growth.

Scope of Work:

(i) Detailed review and analysis delivered of socio-economic performance and prospects in the context of its development objectives:

Hold discussions with various stakeholders to determine the scope and content of the advice and technical inputs to be provided.

Critically review and assess existing economic policies and, Afghanistan’s macroeconomic prospects in the context of the global environment and fragilities.

Critically review and assess the existing budget policy in the context of Afghanistan’s development objectives.

Contribute to stakeholders’ efforts on socioeconomic analyses, reporting and assessing public investments to ensure value for money and achieving development outcomes.

Contribute to technical coordination efforts by Donors including any economic Portfolio Reviews.

Facilitate policy level discussions between UNDP, Private Sector representatives, financial institutions, banks. .and multilateral agencies in Afghanistan on the overall poverty reduction agenda and development framework.

(ii) Stakeholders. advised on appropriate macroeconomic policies and strategies to be pursued in the context of the local, regional and international environment.

Hold and facilitate policy discussions with stakeholders and provide policy advice on appropriate economic policies and strategies to be pursued.

Hold discussions, advice and work closely with different technical focal points to advocate for the bottom-up, inclusive, and private sector led economic recovery model for Afghanistan.

Prepare policy (economic and social development) analysis and briefs which can be used by the internal and external stakeholders, including papers for presentation to local, regional and international meetings and conferences.

Develop and, where required, lead/assist in the execution of approved documents, plans aimed at advocating for appropriate macroeconomic policies and programs.

(iii) Macroeconomic policy analysis, evaluations and monitoring reports produced to support decision-making, and to complement any training and knowledge sharing initiatives.

Study current technical capacities at economic entities in the public sector and prepare a practical capacity development plan for UNDP and donors consideration

Conduct research and literature reviews that can be used by a range of concerned stakeholders their work planning purposes and for coordination efforts aimed at formulating strategies for national development.

Produce materials that can be used to train and mentor technical focal points of stakeholders on macroeconomic policy analysis, planning and implementation to support the bottom-up, inclusive and private sector led economic recovery

Within the limits of the limited and unofficial engagement, develop and implement a mentorship programme for knowledge sharing and the active involvement of technical staff from economic public institutions on macroeconomic analyses and economic policy development so long as it contributes to the progress and success of UNDP’s economic recovery strategy

(iv) Framework developed and implemented for collection of economic data to facilitate (current and future) macroeconomic planning.

Prepare topic-specific data collection tools and templates

Prepare and regularly update macroeconomic databases that will inform UNDP’s knowledge products and analyses which will underlie programmatic decisions by the UNDP Country Office

Establish and maintain working relationships with organizations, think tanks, international agencies, NSIA and other data sources

Duties and Responsibilities:

The scope of work will cover the following core functions:

· Prepare advisory and analytical notes on general socioeconomic and macroeconomic policy design, preparation, and execution. · Provide advice on fiscal consolidation strategies, if required · Provide technical advice on fiscal and monetary sector coordination. · Provide strategic advice on aid management and coordination framework. · Facilitate the stakeholders’ interactions with key international stakeholders. · Facilitate UNDP’s interaction with key stakeholders involved in economic planning and management of the country · Make inputs into key communication messages on economic policy. · Facilitate mainstreaming of the international development policies, practices and priorities including the SDGs in the country economic agenda including in the national budget; · Create space for policy dialogue and partnerships with key stakeholders on critical policy issues. · Regularly update UNDP on the execution of any further strategic support required to achieve the policy objectives. · Support and contribute to policy research initiatives in UNDP Policy Unit and other stakeholders.

Specific deliverables

· Advisory services to UNDP and other stakeholders with regards to:

Aid and Socioeconomic policies.
Support to Macroeconomic policy analyses, monitoring and management

Advisory and strategic inputs papers for use by the UNDP Policy Unit and other stakeholders
Advisory and strategic inputs paper on policy research conducted by UNDP and if needed other stakeholders.
Support coordination of UNDP’s and other stakeholders’ work and engagement with strategization of national development policies and programs.
Regular debriefing and briefing detailing advisory work involving different stakeholders i.e. UNDP, UN Agencies, private sector and other stakeholders
Monthly debrief to UNDP through the UNDP Policy Unit.

Skills:

· Proven experience of macroeconomic planning and policy formulation. · Extensive experience in leading and directing the preparation of medium term, Economic plans; · Sound knowledge of Afghanistan economy and extensive awareness of regional and international growth challenges are also essential; · Strong leadership and management skills; · Ability to interact and negotiate at senior management level; · Strong presentation and public speaking skills; · Ability to manage diverse teams and build partner relationships; · Experience in human capacity development by way of mentoring/training and, providing technical direction and guidance to inexperienced staff is essential. · Excellent writing skills required, as demonstrated by previous research/analytical reports/policy notes on relevant topics

Language:

· Fluency in written and spoken English and national language Dari/Pashto is a requirement.

Competencies

· Corporate Responsibility & Direction: o Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of the UNDP & Stakeholders. o Managing for Results: o Plans and prioritizes work activities to meet the goals set by the Supervisor; o Strategic approach to problem solving. · Partnering & Networking: o Builds and sustains relationships with key constituents (internal/external/bilateral/ multilateral/public/private/academia/civil society); o Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of Afghanistan and UNDP; o Demonstrates ability to handle working relationships with senior officials, academics and technical experts. · Innovation & Judgment: o Conceptualizes and analyses problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate; o Generates creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations; o Devises new systems and processes, and modifies existing ones, to support innovative behaviors. · Communication: o Demonstrates outstanding verbal and written communication skills.

Qualifications

Academic Qualifications:

A graduate degree in economics, with specialization in macroeconomics or development economics. A PhD qualification in economics is desirable.

Years of experience:

7 years relevant experience, working for a ministry at a senior level, such as Ministry of Finance or Planning or for an institution where in-depth knowledge of macroeconomic management and development planning being an essential requirement.

Job Location:

· Kabul

Submission Guideline :

Qualified candidates should submit their details, Resume and Cover Letter through our AHG portal linked with Jobs.af