[Hiring] Consultant - Economist - Socio-Economic Benefits Analysis @UNDP

Role Description

The Strengthening Hydro-Meteorological and Multi-Hazard Early Warning Services in the Caribbean – Phase 2 (CREWS Caribbean 2.0) project supports Caribbean countries in strengthening meteorological, hydrological and climate services and multi-hazard early warning systems. WMO seeks qualified consultants to conduct Socio-Economic Benefits (SEB) analyses for national services in Grenada, Dominica, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Barbados. The Jamaica assignment will cover both the Meteorological Service of Jamaica (MSJ) and the Water Resources Authority (WRA).

The analyses will assess the economic and societal value of existing weather, climate and water services and, where available evidence permits, the potential additional benefits of improved services. The findings will support national budget allocations, investment prioritization, institutional development, resource mobilization and sustainable financing.

Each assignment will draw primarily on existing institutional and sectoral data and targeted stakeholder consultations. Appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods will be applied, informed by relevant WMO guidance, particularly Valuing Weather and Climate: Economic Assessment of Meteorological and Hydrological Services (WMO-No. 1153).

The studies will follow a coordinated methodological framework while producing country-specific findings and recommendations. For Jamaica, the assessment will provide distinct institutional findings for MSJ and WRA and examine complementary benefits without double counting.

Candidates may indicate the country or countries for which they wish to be considered. WMO may select one or more consultants according to their expertise, availability and the requirements of the assignments.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Review relevant institutional reports, national strategies, investment plans, previous studies, CREWS documentation and available service and socio-economic data.
• Map the services provided, their principal users and beneficiaries, and relevant economic and social sectors.
• Prepare an inception report outlining the assessment scope, methodology, workplan, data requirements, stakeholder consultation plan and analytical limitations.
• Identify priority services and sectors for detailed assessment, in consultation with WMO and national partners, taking account of data availability and the assignment timeframe.
• Apply appropriate economic valuation methods, which may include benefit-cost analysis, avoided-loss estimation, sector-specific valuation, benchmarking or value-chain approaches.
• Conduct targeted remote consultations with institutional experts, service users and relevant stakeholders and collect available data and practical examples of service use.
• Assess monetary benefits where reliable data permit and document non-monetary benefits, including public safety, preparedness, resilience and social well-being.
• Assess potential incremental benefits of feasible service improvements where a defensible baseline and comparison can be established, considering relevant costs.
• Consider the distribution of benefits among user groups, including gender and vulnerability considerations where supported by available evidence.
• Clearly document data sources, calculations, assumptions, uncertainty and limitations, avoiding double counting and unsupported estimates.
• For Jamaica, prepare distinct findings for MSJ and WRA using a coordinated methodology and assess the complementary benefits of cooperation, information exchange and integrated services.
• Prepare draft reports, present preliminary findings for review and incorporate substantiated feedback from WMO and national stakeholders.
• Provide practical recommendations for service improvement, investment prioritization, resource mobilization and sustainable financing.

Main Deliverables

• Inception Report and Assessment Methodology, including the scope, workplan, priority services and sectors, data requirements and stakeholder consultation plan.
• Data and Services Assessment, identifying existing services, users, beneficiaries, available evidence and key data gaps.
• Draft Socio-Economic Benefits Analysis Report, presenting preliminary findings, methods, assumptions, limitations and recommendations.
• Final Socio-Economic Benefits Analysis Report, incorporating review comments and including an executive summary, conclusions and actionable recommendations.
• Presentation of the final findings and recommendations.

Deliverables are required for each assigned country. For Jamaica, the reporting package shall include distinct institutional findings for MSJ and WRA and an assessment of complementary benefits without double counting.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Development Economics, Environmental Economics, Finance, Public Policy or another closely related discipline.

Requirements

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in economic analysis, socio-economic assessment, economic valuation, benefit-cost analysis or development economics.
• Demonstrated experience conducting socio-economic benefits studies or economic evaluations of public services or development investments.
• Demonstrated experience applying quantitative and qualitative assessment methods and working with institutional and sectoral economic data.
• Experience establishing assessment baselines and transparently addressing assumptions, uncertainty and data limitations.
• Experience translating analytical findings into practical investment, policy or financing recommendations.
• Experience assessing meteorological, hydrological or climate services, disaster risk reduction or early warning systems would be highly desirable.
• Familiarity with relevant WMO economic valuation guidance, including WMO-No. 1153, would be an asset.
• Experience working with national institutions, government agencies, international organizations or development partners would be desirable.
• Previous professional experience in the Caribbean and/or Small Island Developing States would be an asset.
• Strong analytical, research and economic valuation skills.
• Excellent technical report-writing, communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to organize effective remote stakeholder consultations.
• Ability to explain complex economic findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work independently and coordinate effectively with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Ability to deliver high-quality outputs within the agreed timeframe.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English (both oral and written).

Salary and Allowances

PAYBAND: C

Additional Information

• Focal point name and email for additional information: Petra Mutic ([email protected])
• Possibility of renewal subject to the availability of funds and pending satisfactory performance after an initial probationary period of one year which can be extended up to a maximum of two years.

Applications

Applications should be made online through the WMO e-recruitment system. Do not send your application via multiple routes. WMO no longer accepts applications via post or email. Only applicants for whom WMO has a further interest will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit a written test and/or an interview.

Statements

WMO is committed to achieving diversity and a balanced workforce. Applications are welcome from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. The statutory retirement age is 65. Pursuant to WMO Standing Instructions, the minimum age to be eligible for consideration for vacant positions is 18, and the maximum age must enable the candidate to serve for at least the term of the contract before reaching mandatory age of separation.

Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse of Authority

WMO does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Scam Alert

WMO does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). WMO will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.