About the opportunity
The Policy Unit leads UNDP India’s research and advocacy on Global Goals and the national development agenda, with a special focus on environment and climate change, skill development, inclusive growth, and strengthening systems for SDG localization. The Policy and Economics Officer will support the Senior Economist and the Policy Unit in advancing UNDP India’s strategic priorities through the formulation and implementation of integrated policy initiatives and programmes. The role contributes to strengthening linkages between policy and programme priorities, supporting partnerships and resource mobilization, and promoting knowledge and evidence to inform UNDP’s development interventions. This is a one-year National Personnel Service Agreement (NPSA-9) position based in New Delhi, India.
Salary and benefits
- Competitive monthly remuneration aligned with the NPSA-9 grade level under UNDP rules.
- Opportunity to work directly with national and subnational governments and diverse development partners.
- Engagement with regional and global UN networks and policy advisory teams.
- Professional growth through managing high-impact sustainable development and policy initiatives.
Who can apply?
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field, with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience; OR a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree) in the same fields with an additional 4 years of qualifying experience.
- An understanding of India’s development challenges, the federal structure, and key development policy debates is essential.
- Proven track record in providing policy advice and technical assistance on Public Policy at a mid- or senior management level.
- Excellent writing skills and experience in condensing technical reports into simple text for a general audience.
- Experience in designing and carrying out data-driven research, with an understanding of research methods and the public policy research landscape.
- Strong and proven ability to analyze and visualize data-backed research effectively.
- Fluency in both Hindi and English is required.
Required documents
- Updated curriculum vitae (CV)
- Completed application form demonstrating required educational qualifications and experience
When to apply
- Date posted: October 1, 2026
- Application deadline: October 18, 2026 at 03:59 UTC
How to apply
- Review the job description and ensure you meet the educational and experience requirements.
- Access the official UNDP Oracle Recruiting Cloud portal.
- Complete and submit your online application before the stated deadline.
Additional information
- This is a National Personnel Service Agreement (National PSA – Regular) position classified at grade NPSA-9.
- Contract duration is 1 year.
- No mobility is required for this position.
- UNDP is an equal opportunity employer and does not charge any fee at any stage of its recruitment process.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Professionals with a background in economics or development studies who possess direct familiarity with India's policy landscape and federal structure.
- Candidates skilled in data-driven research, economic data analysis, and translating complex technical reports into accessible policy briefs.
- Individuals with prior experience in government or multilateral institutions looking to drive impactful sustainable development initiatives.
What should you think carefully about?
- The position is offered as a one-year National Personnel Service Agreement (NPSA-9), representing a fixed-term contract arrangement.
- Fluency in both Hindi and English is strictly required for daily duties and stakeholder communications.
- Applicants must be comfortable managing multiple project cycles, partnerships, and monitoring frameworks simultaneously.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This role suits mid-career development professionals and economists aiming to deepen their footprint within the United Nations system while directly shaping national policy and sustainable development outcomes in India.
Our take
Qualified candidates with strong economic research and public policy advisory experience in India should apply before the October 18, 2026 deadline. Those lacking the required years of experience or bilingual proficiency in Hindi and English may find this role unsuitable.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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