Economics and Statistics Associate

Host entity: UNDP

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Finance, accounting, Economics, poverty reduction, livelihoods, Natural resources management

Application deadline: 15/10/2026

Mission and objectives

Established in 1965, UNDP is the United Nations’ global development network, operating in nearly 170 countries and territories. Its mission is to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilience to crises and shocks. The Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) is UNDP’s primary knowledge and advisory center for the Europe and Central Asia region.

Assignment context

The UN Volunteer will be part of the UNDP RBEC Chief Economist Team at the Istanbul Regional Hub, working closely with the Chief Economist and other economists on the region’s green growth agenda. Decarbonization and the development of green skills, particularly in light industry, are central to the region’s transition to a low-carbon economy and to Sustainable Development Goal progress. The UN Volunteer will support the team’s analytical and statistical work on these themes, contributing to knowledge products, data analysis, and policy recommendations that inform UNDP’s regional programming.

This assignment offers exposure to UNDP’s economic analysis and policy work in an international setting, with mentorship from senior economists.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of RBEC Chief Economist, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

- Contribute to the collection, cleaning, and statistical analysis of data on decarbonization trends and green skills development in light industry-related fields across the region;
- Support the preparation of analytical notes, briefs, and knowledge products on green industrial transition and its labour-market and skills implications;
- Assist in monitoring and reporting on relevant SDG and climate-related indicators, and in maintaining databases and reference materials used by the team;
- Participate in the design and testing of statistical tools and dashboards to track progress on decarbonization and green skills initiatives;
- As part of the team, support coordination with country offices and partners on data requests and knowledge-sharing related to green industrial policy;
- Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills and experience

Experience in:

- Interest in international development and willingness to learn new analytical tools,
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multicultural team,
- Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Skills in:

- Statistical and data analysis (e.g. Excel; STATA, R, or Python an advantage),
- Familiarity with decarbonization, green skills, or industrial/energy policy frameworks

Competencies and values

Accountability
Adaptability and Flexibility
Building Trust
Client Orientation
Commitment and Motivation
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Communication
Creativity
Empowering Others
Ethics and Values
Integrity
Judgement and Decision-making
Knowledge Sharing
Leadership
Managing Performance
Planning and Organizing
Professionalism
Respect for Diversity
Self-Management
Technological Awareness
Vision
Working in Teams

Living conditions

The UN Volunteer will be based in Istanbul and responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. 

The Summary of UN Volunteer Entitlement (International Associate):   
• Current Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) is USD 2,309   
• Private insurance coverage by CIGNA   
• Entry allowance (one-time): USD 3,500 upon arrival to duty station   
• Exit allowance (one-time after end of assignment): USD 225 per month upon the satisfactory completion of assignment   
• Dependent entitlements are provided based on eligibility criteria   
• Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month   
• Free access to different learning platforms and UN & UNV network   


Notes:   
1) You can check full entitlements at the duty station: https://app.unv.org/calculator   
2) Please read the complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos  
 

Istanbul is a large, cosmopolitan city offering generally good living conditions for international personnel and their families. The city has a wide range of furnished accommodation, private health-care facilities, supermarkets, restaurants, cultural venues, and recreational opportunities. Public transportation is extensive and includes metro, tram, bus, and ferry services, although traffic congestion can be significant and commuting times vary considerably depending on the area of residence. English is commonly spoken in many professional, commercial, and service environments, particularly in central districts, while basic knowledge of Turkish is useful for everyday life. Istanbul is well connected internationally through its airports and offers frequent air links to destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Living costs vary significantly according to location and lifestyle, with housing generally representing the largest expense for expatriates. As in any major metropolitan area, personnel are expected to exercise normal security awareness and follow applicable United Nations security guidance.  Istanbul is a family duty station and very well connected in the region and globally.

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