Economic and Policy Analyst

Host entity: UNRCO

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Project management, programme development, strategy, Finance, accounting

Application deadline: 11/10/2026

Mission and objectives

The Resident Coordinator (RC) system’s role in country is to bring together the different UN agencies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational activities at the country level. The RC leads the UN country team. The RC’s role is pivotal for the success of the United Nations in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda. The Resident Coordinator leads and strategically positions the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) to address people's needs and vulnerabilities, to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and Leave No One Behind. The RC system encompasses all organisations of the United Nations system dealing with operational activities for development, regardless of their formal presence in the country. The RC system is supported in UNHQ by the UN Development Coordination Office (UNDCO).

Assignment context

The UN Resident Coordinator System (RCS) ensures the coordination of all UN organizations dealing with operational activities for development and aims to bring together different UN organizations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational activities at the country level. The RCS encompasses the UN Resident Coordinator, the UN Country Team (UNCT) and Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO). The UN Resident Coordinator leads the UNCT to deliver together more coherent, effective, and efficient support in China. The RCO supports the role and functions of the UN Resident Coordinator and provides inter-agency coordination support to the UNCT and its various inter-agency working mechanisms and groups. Critical functions of the RCO include strategic analysis, planning and positioning of the country team; preparation and monitoring of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF); support to joint UN programming and operations management; policy guidance; joint advocacy and communications to enhance UN coherence and improve overall programme impact of the UN System in China.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026 – 2030 for China is the core document that guides the work of the UNCT in China. The Cooperation Framework includes three priority areas: people and prosperity; planet; and partnerships. A core role of the RCO is to coordinate UNCT’s interagency work in these areas and to provide policy guidance and analysis to the UNCT to help facilitate this work.

The position will provide the successful candidate with a unique opportunity to learn about how the UN system operates at the country level. Among others, the candidate will: actively engage in the joint programming of the UN; learn about the functions and roles of a wide range of UN organizations; conduct research and analysis to support UNCT programming; gain insight into the country programme implementation process; and become familiar with how the UN interacts with different stakeholders.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Economist of UNRCO in China and in close collaboration with the Head of Office and other RCO colleagues, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

· Contribute to the UN coordination function by provide relevant support to UN inter-agency coordination mechanisms, economic and policy analysis and horizon scanning, and other such activities under the guidance of the RCO Economist;
· Support the development and updating of databases of economic and sustainable development indicators, along with other information management activities;
· Support the RCO’s policy work by contributing to the compilation and preparation of briefing and presentation materials, background information and documentation;
· Support team members in facilitating on-site, inter-agency and high-level meetings and/or events;
· Explore innovative applications of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies to support analytical and other work in the office;
· Support the Economist in furthering the RCO’s work on coordinating South-South cooperation projects;
· Support the RCO economist in other ad hoc tasks as requested;
· Support other work of the RCO as requested by the office and/or supervisor.

Skills and experience

· Having completed or being currently enrolled in a Master’s degree in one of these subjects is desirable.
· Experience in economic research, data analysis, policy analysis, programme management, development finance, or related area is required.
· Strong oral and written communication skills, including demonstrated experience in drafting reports and speeches and/or preparing presentations is required.
· Demonstrated experience using Excel and other statistical software packages to support data analysis.
· Demonstrated experience in applying artificial intelligence and other technology applications to increase efficiency is desirable.
· Ability to thrive in a fast-paced dynamic environment and the ability to multi-task.

Competencies and values

· Adaptability and flexibility
· Creativity
· Planning and organising
· Professionalism

Living conditions

The duty station of the national UN Volunteer is located in Beijing. The volunteer will receive a standard volunteer living allowance (VLA) as well as other entitlements. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator.

The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.