About the opportunity
The Country Economist Network of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP) is a key initiative to enhance policy support and capacity. The Senior Country Economist plays an essential role at country, regional, and global levels in contributing to renewed development momentum. Working under the guidance of the Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative, the incumbent serves as principal adviser to senior management on economic and development policy matters, leads macroeconomic, sectoral, and political-economy analysis, and contributes 20% of their time to activities across the Network.
Salary and benefits
- Competitive salary and remuneration package commensurate with grade NOD
- One-year fixed-term appointment with the possibility of extension
- Opportunity to lead high-impact policy advisory work across the Asia-Pacific region
- Professional growth through engagement with global and regional economist networks
Who can apply?
- Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants: staff holding permanent, fixed-term, or temporary appointments, regular PSA contract holders, and Expert/Specialist UN Volunteers
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics or related field with 7 years of relevant experience, or a bachelor's degree with 9 years of relevant experience
- Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis covering labor markets, public finance, development finance, structural transformation, economic modeling, or AI-related policy issues
- Proven policy, advisory, and advocacy experience, including preparing high-quality policy briefs for senior policymakers
- Fluency in oral and written English and the national language of the duty station (Bahasa Melayu)
Required documents
- Up-to-date curriculum vitae
- Completed application form through the Oracle Recruiting Cloud portal
When to apply
- Date posted: 2026-09-14
- Application deadline: 2026-09-29
How to apply
- Review the vacancy requirements and check eligibility based on the specified applicant tiers
- Access the official UNDP recruitment portal via the provided Oracle Recruiting Cloud link
- Submit your application and required documents before the closing date
Additional information
- Continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period
- UNDP does not charge a 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…
- An ideal match for experienced economists with a strong background in policy research, structural transformation, and sustainable development goals.
- Well-suited for professionals eager to lead strategic economic advisory functions and engage with government counterparts and international stakeholders.
- Provides a unique platform to contribute both at the country office level in Malaysia and across the wider Asia-Pacific regional network.
What should you think carefully about?
- Applicants must strictly verify their eligibility against the specified applicant tiers (Tier 0, 1, or 2) before applying.
- Requires proficiency in both English and Bahasa Melayu, along with a significant commitment to regional networking and multidisciplinary collaboration.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This role offers an exceptional opportunity for mid-to-senior economists to shape national development policy, drive SDG integration, and expand their leadership profile within the United Nations system.
Our take
Qualified internal candidates and eligible personnel meeting the tier requirements with a strong background in macroeconomic analysis and policy advisory should seriously consider applying before the deadline.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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