Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The project, initiated in 2008, is a collaboration between UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) which aims to independently analyze and monitor trends and issues affecting knowledge and development. In Arab countries and beyond, it supports Arab States in developing knowledge-based societies by producing high-quality publications such as the Global Knowledge Index (GKI) and Future of Knowledge Foresight Reports, and facilitating exchanges through regular high level forums such as the Knowledge Summit and Knowledge Weeks. In response to evolving need in increasingly knowledge-based economies, project also hosts the FutureSkills4All initiative, dedicated to skills development for the digital economy and future labour markets.
Duties and Responsibilities
SCOPE OF WORK
The Research Analyst will work under the guidance of the Project, Research, and Communications Specialist and will focus on education and labour market research to support the revision of the GKI and contribute to discussions on human capital development. Key responsibilities include:
1.Research and analysis:
- Conduct quantitative and qualitative research on education and its intersection with the labour market.
- Analyze data to support the revision and enhancement of the GKI.
- Contribute to think-pieces, policy briefs, and empirical research for educational initiatives and labour market trends.
- Coordinate and prepare ad hoc thematic and substantive reports/analysis/briefs as requested.
- Contribute substantively to the knowledge product creation process, ensuring data-driven insights are clearly and compellingly presented.
- Contribute to the development of knowledge and innovation initiatives for different contexts on key emerging policy agendas, in collaboration with policy teams at HQ, the Regional Hubs and country offices.
2. Data collection and management:
- Lead the collection and analysis of data relevant to education and labour market dynamics.
- Develop and implement robust data collection methodologies.
- Ensure data accuracy and reliability for all project outputs related to education and skills.
3. Knowledge product development:
- Design and produce analytical reports, policy briefs, and data visualizations that inform on education and labour market trends.
- Collaborate on the production of the GKI and other indices, ensuring they reflect educational and labour market insights.
- Identify and coordinate the work of advisory board members and consultants, including drafting and reviewing terms of references (ToRs), requests for proposals (RfPs), and work specifications, to maintain high standards of project outputs.
- Oversee and ensure the quality of contributions from consultants to align with project standards and objectives.
4. Policy advice and project support:
- Provide expert advice on educational policies and labour market integration.
- Support the strategic planning and execution of project initiatives.
- Engage with stakeholders to align project outputs with current educational and economic needs.
- Examine the structure of the GKI, assess effectiveness, explore potential changes, and propose enhancements.
- Identify potential advisory board members and assist in commissioning and coordinating their work where requested and comment on their draft papers.
- Mobilize consultants to initiate activities, including drafting and reviewing terms of references (ToRs), request for proposals (RfPs) and work specifications.
- Develop/use rosters of pre-qualified consultants, Implementing Partners (Ips) and other service providers in support of project outputs and activities.
- Oversee the work of national and international consultants that support project implementation.
- Supervise and manage project personnel and consultants. Establish performance objectives and standards and ensure timely and appropriate feedback, guidance and support to ensure optimum performance.
5. Event and workshop coordination:
- Organize and facilitate workshops, seminars, and conferences focused on education and other related fields.
- Develop content and coordinate logistics for these events to ensure productive discussions and outcomes.
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT
The Research Analyst will report to the Project, Research and Communications Specialist, and collaborate closely with regional and global teams to ensure alignment and integration of research activities.
Competencies
| Core | |
| Achieve Results: | LEVEL 2: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact |
| Think Innovatively: | LEVEL 2: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems |
| Learn Continuously: | LEVEL 2: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences |
| Adapt with Agility: | LEVEL 2: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands |
| Act with Determination: | LEVEL 2: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results |
| Engage and Partner: | LEVEL 2: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration |
| Enable Diversity and Inclusion: | LEVEL 2: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity |
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies :
| Thematic Area | Name | Definition |
| Digital and innovation | Digital learning and development | Knowledge of digital learning methods and ability to design and develop digital learning programmes. |
| Business Direction & Strategy | System Thinking | Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system |
| Business Development | Knowledge generation | Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need |
| Business Management | Communication | Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communications; to tailor messages and choose communicate methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels. |
| Partnership management | Relationship management | Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding |
| Prosperity | Inclusive growth | Future of work, automation and technology |
| Prosperity | Inclusive growth | Job / Employment / Decent work promotion |
Required Skills and Experience:
| Min. Education requirements | - Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in education, economics, social sciences, or a related field is required.
- Candidates with a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) with two (02) additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of a Master’s degree.
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| Min. years of relevant work experience | - A minimum of two (02) years (with Master’s degree) or four (04) years (with Bachelor’s degree) of work experience in the areas of policy, research and advocacy in thematic areas related to social sciences, education, labour economics, skills development, and employment.
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| Required skills | - Excellent research, analytical, data management, and report writing skills.
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| Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section | - Proven experience in a similar position in leading local, regional or international organizations;
- Experience working in the Arab States region;
- A background in report development;
- Experience in skilling, workforce development, livelihoods or employability research or initiatives.
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| Required Language(s) | - Fluency in both Arabic and English is required.
- French is an asset.
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Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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