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.
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 UNDPs 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 knowledgebased societies by producing highquality 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 knowledgebased 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 thinkpieces 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 datadriven 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 prequalified 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 interagency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:
LEVEL 2: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
CrossFunctional & 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 (Masters degree or equivalent) in education economics social sciences or a related field is required.
- Candidates with a firstlevel university degree (Bachelors degree or equivalent) with two (02) additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of a Masters degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience
- A minimum of two (02) years (with Masters degree) or four (04) years (with Bachelors 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.
Required skills
- Excellent research analytical data management and report writing skills.
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.
Required Language(s)
- Fluency in both Arabic and English is required.
- French is an asset.
Disclaimer
Important information for US Permanent Residents (Green Card holders)
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 G4 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.
Nondiscrimination
UNDP has a zerotolerance 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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