National Economic Specialist

The UNDP Office in Botswana works closely with its government partners and other national and subnational stakeholders to support the introduction of policies that promote inclusive economic growth and sustainable development, aligned with national and subregional priorities. At the heart of this support is a focus on complex issues related to several thematic areas/SDGs, including their complexity, dynamics, entry points, and the integration of policies, data, analysis, innovation, and finance. As the impact of COVID-19 has shown, twenty-first-century challenges are increasingly complex, interconnected, and unpredictable. People are engaging with information, institutions, and society in new and increasingly digital ways, and institutions are having to adapt at an increasing pace. The CPD has identified key domains of change in climate change and sustainable resource management, inequality, corruption, and accountability, and unemployment, economic diversification, and digital innovation. These domains are addressed through levers of change, such as women and youth as rights-holders; communities, the private sector, and the informal sector as transformational agents; and institutions as duty-bearers, each leveraging UNDP capacity to deliver through innovative and agile partnerships for a green, just, prosperous Botswana. 

In 2025, the Government of Botswana adopted the Twelfth National Development Plan (NDP 12), marking Botswana’s bold and transformative step toward achieving the national aspiration—"True North"—of a “high-income, digitally enabled, export-driven, and economically diversified Botswana where every citizen is employed, empowered, and fulfilled." The plan spans five years (2025/26–2029/30) and serves as the first comprehensive roadmap under the new administration following the peaceful political transition in October 2024. NDP 12 is built on a paradigm shift from a government-led, resource-dependent growth model to a private sector-driven, industrialized, and export-oriented economy. At its core is the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP), which aims to mark a turning point in the nation’s pursuit of sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready growth. By covering prioritized six economic sectors (Tourism, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Financial Services & Digitalization, Energy & Mining, and Infrastructure), alongside three social focus areas (Healthcare, Education, and Social Protection), the BETP seeks to be a game-changer for the country’s growth pathway and to respond to challenges the country is facing, including limited diversification, high unemployment, high poverty and inequality, and fiscal pressures that threaten the sustainability of our growth path.

In this context, the UNDP Office in Botswana is recruiting a National Development Economist to coordinate support for the implementation of the SDGs in the country through its country program and ensure that UNDP's integrated programmatic/policy/service offerings are informed by its field experiences and by broader debates and analytical advances on SDG implementation.

The national development economist based at the UNDP country office will support policy dialogue with government officials and other partners, assist in program development, and produce research and analysis. He/she will also collaborate and share experiences and practices between countries, within and outside the UNDP regional and global network.

Under the supervision of the Resident Representative, the National Economist advises senior management on inclusive growth policies, SDG integration, and innovative strategic partnerships and provides evidence-based analysis to influence UNDP's strategic direction. He/she works with government counterparts to identify development policy options and to improve the impact of UNDP projects and programs, while contributing to the mobilization of partnerships with the private sector, regional entities, etc., to support programs and achieve results. The National Development Economist advocates for and represents UNDP in his/her area of expertise, at the request of his/her supervisor.

He/she may supervise international and national consultants. He/she maintains a network with colleagues from the UNDP global and regional network, UN agencies, IFIs, government officials, multilateral and bilateral donors, and civil society.

• Provide technical support for the preparation of the National Human Development Report (NHRD) and the organization of the national workshop to launch the Global Human Development Report and discuss the SHD;
• Facilitate policy dialogue and follow up with national authorities to ensure that the SHD concept is reflected in national development strategies;
• Support the Government, both technically and in terms of policy dialogue, in the formulation and implementation of the Botswana Economic Development Programme and the National Development Plan, including the establishment of resource mobilization mechanisms;
• Ensure the technical quality of the contributions expected from UNDP in conducting surveys on poverty and household living conditions, supporting capacity building for the national statistical system, monitoring the country's poverty and vulnerability profile, including the MPI, and tracking progress on the development indicators identified under the 2030 Agenda.

The National Economic Specialist will report directly to the UNDP Resident Representative.

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site [link removed].

• SDG Finance
  • Blended Finance for the SDGs;
  • Public Finance for the SDGs;
  • Integrated National Financing Frameworks and Portfolios;
  • Taxation and the SDGs;
  • Governance and Coordination for the Financing of the SDGs.
• SDG Integration
  • Economy-wide analysis Institutional and Context analysis Rapid Integrated Assessment SDG Monitoring and Reporting Macroeconomic Models/ Analysis.

• Effectiveness
  • Strategic policy advice in the context of Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development (FfD);
  • Global monitoring of SDG 17 indicators.

• 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.

• Climate
  • Climate Strategies and Policy: Financing Strategies, Plans and Investment Frameworks;
  • Carbon Market;
  • Unlocking finance for climate change adaptation (public and private).

• Resource Mobilization
  • Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements.

• Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding
  • Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms.

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in in economics and social policy, public policy, sustainable development, public Finance, economics, development studies, or related field is required, or;
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Minimum 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in economics and social policy, sustainable development, public finance, and/or data analysis is required , etc.

• Experience and strong track record in multi-stakeholder partnership building and dealing with both public and private sectors, international and/or intergovernmental organisations;
• Experience in the provision of economic or development policy advocacy;
• Practical skills in IT/statistical and econometric software for economic modelling and presentations; web-based management and advanced econometric and statistical data analysis software (Eviews, SAS, SPSS, STATA, etc.);
• Good knowledge of innovative financing mechanisms;
• Experiences in formulation of concept notes, position papers, economic analysis and project management
• Experience with a proven track record in resource mobilization and partnership engagement;
• Good analytical and communication skills/experience 

• Good and proven understanding of macroeconomic and budgetary issues, poverty and inequality, human development, youth employment and empowerment policies in Botswana;
• Experience in development project design and monitoring and evaluation, in research, policy analysis, and writing related studies/reports.

• Fluency in English is required.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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