The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced an exciting international professional opportunity for an experienced economist to join its Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand.

The UNDP Economist – Development Strategy position is designed for a highly experienced economics, development policy, research, or quantitative analysis professional who can contribute to evidence-based economic policy development, growth diagnostics, labour market analysis, inclusive growth strategies, structural transformation research, and government advisory work.

The position is particularly connected to UNDP’s Inclusive Growth Team and its Building Opportunities for Leadership in Development (BOLD) initiative, which supports governments in translating economic evidence, diagnostics, and foresight into practical and strategically prioritized development reforms.

This is a senior-level professional opportunity at IPSA-11 level, with a one-year contract and full-time schedule. The position is based in Bangkok, Thailand, and successful candidates will work closely with economists, policy specialists, UNDP Country Offices, government counterparts, development partners, research institutions, and other stakeholders across Asia and the Pacific.

For professionals with substantial experience in applied economic analysis and development policy, this opportunity provides the chance to contribute to major development strategy and economic transformation initiatives within the UN development system.

Opportunity Overview

The UNDP Economist – Development Strategy vacancy has the following key details:

• Job Title: Economist – Development Strategy
• Organization: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• Job Identification: 36454
• Job Category: International professional job
• Contract Type: International Personnel Service Agreement (IPSA)
• Grade: IPSA-11
• Duty Station: Bangkok, Thailand
• Practice Area: Inclusive Growth
• Bureau: Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific
• Work Schedule: Full time
• Contract Duration: 1 year
• Required Language: English
• Posting Date: 24 August 2026
• Application Deadline: 9 September 2026 at 3:59 AM
• Application Tier: Tier 0, Tier 1 and Tier 2 applicants
• Education Requirement: Master’s degree with 7 years of relevant experience, or bachelor’s degree with 9 years of relevant experience
• Primary Focus: Economic analysis, development strategy, inclusive growth, labour markets, productivity, inequality and structural transformation

About UNDP

The United Nations Development Programme is a major organization within the UN development system that works with countries and institutions to advance sustainable development and improve people’s lives.

UNDP operates at the intersection of development policy, institutional strengthening, economic transformation, poverty reduction, governance and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The organization uses research, policy advice, technical expertise and development partnerships to help countries address complex development challenges.

Through its Global Policy Network (GPN), UNDP connects international expertise with national and local priorities. This approach allows the organization to support governments in developing policies and institutional capabilities that can deliver sustainable and inclusive development outcomes.

The Economist – Development Strategy will therefore work within an environment where economic research and quantitative evidence are used to influence real-world development strategies.

About the Inclusive Growth Team

The position is located within the Inclusive Growth Team (IGT) at the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub.

The team provides support to governments and UNDP Country Offices throughout Asia and the Pacific on economic and development-related challenges.

Its work includes analysing issues such as:

• Economic growth
• Productivity
• Employment and job creation
• Labour markets
• Inequality
• Poverty
• Structural transformation
• Social protection
• Inclusive economic policies
• Economic development strategies
• Institutional capacity

The team combines economic research and policy expertise to help countries identify opportunities for sustainable and inclusive growth.

The successful Economist will contribute to this work by producing high-quality analysis, supporting policy discussions and helping translate complex economic evidence into practical recommendations.

What Is the BOLD Initiative?

A major component of the role is supporting Building Opportunities for Leadership in Development (BOLD).

BOLD is a UNDP high-level advisory initiative designed to help governments translate economic evidence, diagnostics and foresight into strategically prioritized reform pathways.

Rather than focusing only on producing economic research, the initiative seeks to connect analysis with government decision-making.

The Economist will therefore need to be capable of working with economic data while also understanding how evidence can be translated into development strategies and policy recommendations.

This makes the position particularly suitable for an economist who enjoys both technical research and policy-oriented work.

Key Responsibilities of the Economist – Development Strategy

The successful candidate will undertake a wide range of analytical, advisory, programme coordination and knowledge management responsibilities.

1. Conduct Technical Analysis and Research

One of the central responsibilities of the Economist will be conducting and supporting economic research under the BOLD initiative.

The successful candidate will be expected to analyse different aspects of economic development, including:

• Economic growth
• Structural transformation
• Employment
• Labour market trends
• Productivity
• Inequality
• Inclusive development
• Economic opportunities
• Development policy

The Economist will use quantitative and qualitative research methods to produce economic diagnostics that can help governments and UNDP Country Offices understand development challenges and identify potential policy responses.

Growth and Development Diagnostics

The role requires experience or capability in conducting economic diagnostics.

This can involve examining why an economy is growing or underperforming, identifying structural constraints, assessing productivity and employment patterns, and determining which reforms could potentially improve economic outcomes.

The Economist may also support assessments of different economic sectors and identify opportunities for transformation and job creation.

Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

The position requires strong analytical skills.

The Economist will apply quantitative and qualitative methods to economic and development questions.

This may include working with:

• Economic datasets
• Microdata
• Labour market information
• Poverty and inequality indicators
• Productivity statistics
• Sectoral data
• Macroeconomic information
• Development indicators

The objective will be to transform data and research findings into useful insights for policymakers and development practitioners.

Economic Models and Microdata

The Economist will also support the development and application of growth and inclusion models.

This includes working with microeconomic datasets and other quantitative resources to understand economic and social outcomes.

Strong data analysis capabilities will therefore be important for the successful candidate.

2. Prepare Technical Papers and Policy Briefs

Another important responsibility involves communicating economic research effectively.

The Economist will prepare materials such as:

• Technical papers
• Data-driven policy briefs
• Background research notes
• Analytical reports
• Presentations
• Evidence packs
• Technical guidance materials

These documents may be used by senior economists, government officials, UNDP Country Offices and other development stakeholders.

The ability to communicate complicated economic concepts clearly will therefore be essential.

A successful candidate should be comfortable presenting technical information to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

3. Contribute to Regional Knowledge Products

The Economist will contribute to regional knowledge products focused on economic transformation and inclusive growth.

These products can help capture research findings, policy lessons and analytical approaches that may be relevant across countries in Asia and the Pacific.

The role therefore involves not only producing analysis for individual assignments but also helping develop knowledge that can support broader regional development efforts.

Government Advisory and Country Engagement

The position also has an important government-facing component.

The Economist will support high-level policy dialogues and country-level development engagements.

4. Support High-Level Policy Dialogues

The successful candidate will provide technical inputs to policy discussions led by the IPSA-12 Senior Economist and other Inclusive Growth Team experts.

This could involve preparing:

• Economic analysis
• Data
• Presentations
• Briefing materials
• Evidence summaries
• Policy recommendations
• Background research

The Economist will help ensure that policy discussions are informed by credible evidence and rigorous analysis.

5. Support UNDP Country Offices

The Economist will assist UNDP Country Offices in delivering BOLD analytical work.

This includes supporting activities such as:

• Country capability assessments
• Economic diagnostics
• Growth analysis
• Labour market assessments
• Inclusion analysis
• Development strategy work

The position therefore requires someone who can work effectively across teams and adapt analytical work to different country contexts.

6. Prepare Presentations and Data Visualizations

The Economist will also assist with preparing presentations, data visualizations and evidence packs for government engagements.

This means the successful candidate should not only be able to analyse data but should also be able to communicate findings visually.

The ability to convert complex economic information into clear charts, tables, presentations and concise messages can be particularly valuable in this role.

7. Participate in Missions, Consultations and Workshops

The Economist may participate in:

• Technical missions
• Government consultations
• Workshops
• Policy dialogues
• Stakeholder meetings
• Country-level engagements

This provides an opportunity to engage directly with policymakers, development practitioners and other stakeholders.

Programme Implementation and Coordination

Beyond research and analysis, the Economist will contribute to the planning and implementation of BOLD activities.

8. Support Planning and Delivery

The Economist will contribute to planning, monitoring and delivery of BOLD activities at both regional and country levels.

This may require coordinating different workstreams, tracking deliverables and ensuring that analytical activities are delivered according to programme objectives.

9. Support Reporting and Quality Assurance

The position will also provide analytical and reporting inputs for:

• Donor updates
• Internal reporting
• Quality assurance
• Project documentation
• Programme monitoring

Strong organizational and communication skills will therefore complement the technical economics requirements.

10. Coordinate With Multiple Stakeholders

The Economist will coordinate with:

• UNDP Country Offices
• External research partners
• Internal UNDP teams
• Economists
• Policy specialists
• Government counterparts
• Development partners

The ability to collaborate across institutions and professional disciplines is therefore important.

Knowledge Management and Learning

The role also includes responsibilities related to knowledge management.

The Economist will help ensure that analytical tools, datasets, methodologies and lessons from country-level implementation are properly maintained and documented.

11. Maintain Datasets and Analytical Tools

The successful candidate will maintain and update datasets, analytical tools and templates used across the BOLD programme.

This requires attention to detail and an understanding of data quality.

12. Capture Lessons Learned

The Economist will synthesize lessons learned from country implementation.

These lessons can then be used to improve regional guidance and strengthen future economic analysis.

13. Prepare Technical Guidance

The successful candidate may also prepare technical guidance notes covering areas such as:

• Inclusive growth analysis
• Job creation diagnostics
• Economic transformation
• Labour market analysis
• Development strategy
• Related economic policy topics

Reporting Structure

The Economist will report directly to the UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific Chief Economist, who also serves as the head of the Inclusive Growth Global Policy Network Team.

The successful candidate will work closely with several important stakeholders, including:

• Inclusive Growth Team Regional Advisor
• Economists
• Policy specialists
• BOLD Project Manager
• UNDP Country Office economists
• UNDP programme teams
• Government counterparts
• External partners
• Global Policy Network colleagues
• Other Regional Hubs where necessary

This means the position involves substantial cross-functional and international collaboration.

Competencies Required

UNDP has identified several core competencies for the position.

Achieve Results

The candidate should be able to set and align challenging but achievable objectives across multiple projects and contribute to work that creates lasting impact.

Think Innovatively

The Economist should be able to identify risks, develop new ideas and find innovative solutions to complex economic and development problems.

Learn Continuously

The role requires a willingness to continuously expand professional knowledge and diversify experience.

Adapt With Agility

The successful candidate should be comfortable managing multiple competing demands and supporting change in a complex development environment.

Act With Determination

The candidate should demonstrate initiative and remain focused on achieving results even when facing challenges or barriers.

Engage and Partner

Strong stakeholder-management skills are essential.

The Economist should be politically savvy, able to navigate complex institutional environments and capable of supporting inter-agency collaboration.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

The candidate should appreciate the value of a diverse workforce and contribute to an inclusive working environment.

Technical Competencies

In addition to general professional competencies, the position requires technical capabilities in several areas.

Inclusive Growth and Development Planning

The candidate should understand development planning and how economic policies can contribute to inclusive growth.

Growth Strategies

Experience with economic growth strategies is relevant to the position.

Structural Transformation

The Economist should understand structural transformation and its relationship with productivity, employment and economic development.

Jobs and Livelihoods

Knowledge of labour markets, employment and job creation is important.

Poverty and Inequality Metrics

The position also requires an understanding of poverty and inequality measurement and analysis.

Data Analysis

The successful candidate should be capable of extracting, analysing and visualizing data to generate meaningful insights and support effective decision-making.

Systems Thinking

The role requires the ability to understand how different elements of an economic or development system interact.

The Economist should be able to analyse problems objectively and consider how changing one part of a system can affect other components.

Educational Requirements

Applicants must meet one of the following educational pathways.

Master’s Degree Route

An advanced university degree, such as a master’s degree or equivalent, in one of the following areas is required:

• Economics
• Applied Economics
• Statistics
• Public Policy
• A related field

Applicants using the master’s degree pathway must also have at least 7 years of relevant professional experience.

Bachelor’s Degree Route

A first-level university degree in:

• Economics
• Applied Economics
• Statistics
• Public Policy
• A related field

may be considered in combination with additional qualifying experience.

Under this pathway, candidates are required to have at least 9 years of relevant professional experience.

PhD

A PhD in Economics or a related discipline is considered desirable.

A doctoral degree is therefore not stated as mandatory, but it could strengthen an applicant’s profile.

Professional Experience Requirements

The vacancy requires substantial professional experience.

Candidates must have a minimum of:

• 7 years of relevant experience with a master’s degree, or
• 9 years of relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree.

The experience should be relevant to areas such as:

• Applied economic analysis
• Economic research
• Development policy
• Economic diagnostics
• Labour market analysis
• Inclusive development
• Quantitative research
• Economic modelling

Applicants should carefully demonstrate how their previous professional experience directly relates to these areas.

Required Professional Skills

The vacancy identifies several specific skills that applicants should possess.

Growth Diagnostics

Applicants should have experience conducting or supporting growth diagnostics.

This is particularly relevant because the BOLD programme works with governments to understand economic constraints and identify strategic development pathways.

Labour Market Analysis

Experience analysing labour markets is required.

Applicants should ideally understand employment trends, job creation, labour-force dynamics and related economic issues.

Poverty, Inequality and Inclusion Analysis

Experience with inclusion and inequality assessments is also required.

This may include working with poverty statistics, inequality indicators and other measures of socioeconomic outcomes.

Quantitative Analysis

Strong quantitative analytical capabilities are essential.

Applicants should be comfortable working with economic data and using analytical approaches to generate evidence-based insights.

Microeconomic Data

Experience working with microeconomic datasets is required or highly relevant.

Candidates should be able to work with data to investigate economic and social outcomes.

Macroeconomic Modelling

Experience with macroeconomic modelling is also identified as a required skill.

Applicants should therefore be able to demonstrate quantitative economic expertise rather than relying solely on qualitative policy experience.

Government and Development Partner Experience

Candidates should have experience working with one or more of the following:

• Governments
• International organizations
• Research institutes
• Development partners

This requirement reflects the policy-oriented and advisory nature of the position.

Desired Skills and Experience

Some qualifications are not mandatory but are considered advantageous.

Previous UNDP or UN Experience

Previous experience working with UNDP or another UN organization is an asset.

Applicants who have already worked within the UN development system may therefore have relevant institutional experience.

Knowledge of Asia and the Pacific

Familiarity with development challenges and policy contexts across Asia and the Pacific is highly desirable.

This is particularly relevant because the role is located within UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific and involves supporting countries across the region.

Technical Guidance Experience

Experience preparing technical guidance notes on subjects such as inclusive growth analysis and job creation diagnostics is also desirable.

Language Requirement

Fluency in English is required.

Applicants should therefore be able to communicate effectively in written and spoken English, particularly because the position involves preparing technical documents, participating in policy discussions and engaging with international stakeholders.

Who Should Apply?

This position is most appropriate for experienced economists and development professionals who have a strong combination of technical economic expertise, quantitative analysis skills and development policy experience.

Potentially suitable professional profiles include:

• Economists
• Development economists
• Applied economists
• Economic policy specialists
• Economic researchers
• Labour market specialists
• Inclusive growth specialists
• Public policy professionals with strong economics experience
• Quantitative development researchers
• Economic analysts
• Professionals working on poverty and inequality
• Development strategy specialists

However, meeting a professional profile alone is not enough. Candidates must also satisfy the vacancy’s Tier 0, Tier 1 or Tier 2 eligibility requirements.

Understanding the UNDP Tiered Application System

One of the most important aspects of this vacancy is its tiered application process.

The vacancy is specifically advertised as:

“Economist – Development Strategy [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]”

Applicants should therefore determine whether they fall within one of these categories before investing time in the application.

Tier 0

Tier 0 includes UNDP, UNCDF and UNV international personnel holding permanent or fixed-term appointments whose posts will be abolished, or whose contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.

Tier 1

Tier 1 includes other UNDP, UNCDF and UNV staff members holding permanent or fixed-term appointments.

Tier 2

Tier 2 includes:

• UNDP/UNCDF/UNV personnel holding temporary appointments
• Personnel on regular PSA contracts
• Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers

Tier 3 and Other Candidates

The vacancy description explains that Tier 3, or vacancies without a tier indication, generally cover other contract types and external candidates.

However, this particular vacancy explicitly states Tier 0, Tier 1 and Tier 2.

Therefore, external applicants who do not fall into one of these categories should not assume that they are eligible simply because they meet the educational and professional requirements.

Nationality, Race and Geographic Eligibility

The vacancy does not specify a particular race, ethnicity or nationality as an eligibility requirement.

UNDP states that it is an equal opportunity employer and encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds.

However, this should not be confused with the tier eligibility requirement.

For this specific vacancy, eligibility is primarily determined by:

1. The applicant’s UNDP/UNCDF/UNV personnel status and applicable tier;
2. Educational qualifications;
3. Relevant professional experience;
4. Required technical skills;
5. English language proficiency;
6. Other requirements specified in the vacancy.

The job is based in Bangkok, Thailand, and familiarity with Asia and the Pacific is desirable.

Important Deadline

The application deadline is:

9 September 2026 at 3:59 AM

APPLY HERE

For more information visit the UNDP website HERE

Because the deadline is stated in the vacancy system, applicants should avoid waiting until the final hours to submit their applications.

Candidates should also check the official recruitment platform for any changes to the vacancy or application timeline before submitting.

Contract and Working Arrangement

The position is offered under an International Personnel Service Agreement (IPSA).

Key contract details include:

• Grade: IPSA-11
• Duration: 1 year
• Schedule: Full time
• Duty Station: Bangkok, Thailand

The position sits within UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific and is connected to the organization’s Inclusive Growth practice area.

Why This Opportunity Is Significant

This opportunity could be particularly valuable for an eligible professional interested in the intersection of economics, public policy and international development.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on issues that directly affect economic development strategies, including:

• Inclusive economic growth
• Employment
• Productivity
• Labour markets
• Inequality
• Poverty
• Structural transformation
• Development planning
• Government policy
• Economic reform
• Sustainable development

The position also provides exposure to high-level government advisory work and regional development initiatives.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Eligible candidates should tailor their application carefully to the vacancy.

1. Demonstrate Relevant Economic Experience

Do not simply list previous positions.

Explain how your professional experience involved:

• Economic analysis
• Research
• Development policy
• Labour markets
• Growth diagnostics
• Inequality
• Productivity
• Structural transformation

2. Highlight Quantitative Skills

Applicants should clearly demonstrate their experience with:

• Data analysis
• Microdata
• Economic modelling
• Macroeconomic analysis
• Statistical analysis
• Data visualization

Where possible, explain the outcomes produced through your analysis.

3. Demonstrate Government or Development Experience

If you have worked with governments, UN organizations, development agencies, research institutions or development partners, make this highly visible in your application.

4. Show Policy Impact

UNDP is not simply looking for someone who can analyse data.

The position involves turning evidence into development strategies and policy advice.

Applicants should therefore demonstrate how their previous research or analysis contributed to:

• Policy decisions
• Development programmes
• Government strategies
• Institutional reforms
• Economic planning
• Programme implementation

5. Highlight Stakeholder Engagement

Mention experience working with:

• Senior officials
• Government representatives
• International organizations
• Development partners
• Researchers
• Multilateral institutions
• Cross-functional teams

6. Tailor Your Application to BOLD

Because BOLD is central to the position, applicants should demonstrate experience that connects economic research with practical development strategy.

Show that you understand how diagnostics can lead to strategic policy recommendations and reform pathways.

What Makes a Strong Candidate?

A particularly strong candidate would likely combine several of the following characteristics:

• Advanced economics or related academic training
• Extensive professional experience
• Strong quantitative analysis skills
• Experience with economic research
• Labour market expertise
• Growth diagnostics experience
• Understanding of inequality and poverty
• Experience with development policy
• Knowledge of structural transformation
• Experience working with governments
• International development experience
• Strong writing and presentation skills
• Data visualization capabilities
• Stakeholder-management skills
• Experience working across countries or institutions
• Strong English communication skills
• Understanding of development challenges in Asia and the Pacific

Equal Opportunity Commitment

UNDP states that it is committed to equal opportunity and values diversity as an expression of the many nations and cultures in which it operates.

The organization’s employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role and are made without discrimination.

UNDP also emphasizes its commitment to an inclusive workplace where personnel can contribute, develop professionally and access career opportunities.

Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse

UNDP states that it does not tolerate:

• Harassment
• Sexual harassment
• Exploitation
• Discrimination
• Abuse of authority

Selected candidates are subject to relevant checks and are expected to follow applicable UNDP standards and principles.

UNDP Scam Alert

Applicants should be careful about fraudulent recruitment schemes.

UNDP states that it does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Candidates should therefore be extremely cautious if anyone claiming to represent UNDP requests payment for:

• Application processing
• Recruitment
• Interviews
• Visa arrangements
• Employment
• Training
• Document veri