IC – Sustainable Development and Economic Research Assistant UN RCO Saudi Arabia

Result of Service The research assistant is required to support all requests pertaining to his/her duties and responsibilities under the supervision of the Economist of RCO.

Work Location Riyadh

Expected duration 3 Months Full-time

Duties and Responsibilities The UN Secretary-General's bold new global reform agenda launched on 1 January 2019, in response to General Assembly resolution 71/243, repositions the UN Development System to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for dignity, prosperity and peace on a healthy planet. Central to this process, and as further mandated by General Assembly resolution 72/279, a new generation of UN Resident Coordinator Offices across the world are being strengthened under the leadership of an empowered UN Resident Coordinator, the highest-ranking representative of the UN Development System at country level.

In order to effectively coordinate the collective work of UN Country Teams in support of national aspirations, Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) enhanced core capacities will include expertise in coordination and strategic planning, economics, tailored policy support, results monitoring and evaluation, strategic partnerships and robust communications. The Resident Coordinator leads the United Nations Team for Saudi Arabia, which is represented by several United Nations agencies, funds and programmes. UNCT and the Government of the KSA are in the first year of implementation of the new 5-year KSA-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2022-2026) - https://saudiarabia.un.org/en/185831-un-sustainable-development-cooperation-framework

Under the direct supervision of the Economist, the Intern supports the efforts of the RCO and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) to ensure a well-researched, analytical, coordinated and harmonized response of the UN system. The Research Assistant will work with the RCO Economist to provide well researched literature reviews, policy briefs, monitoring papers, etc. to enhance and accelerate development of KSA towards achieving Vision 2030 and the SDGs.

Under the direct supervision of the Economist of RCO, with overall guidance from the UN Resident Coordinator and the Head of RCO, the Research Assistant will:

• Support the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the new Cooperation Framework of KSA 2022 – 2026
• Support in identification where the policy priorities and challenges in KSA and UNCT in KSA are, and in identifying areas of highest value added for the UNCT
• Contribute to researching and identifying challenges and opportunities for KSA to improve its ranking in SDG related indices
• Keep an updated overview of the world, regional and national major policy developments and reports relevant to the socio-economic development of KSA and achievement of SDGs
• Draft research briefs on economic and social topics using coordinated UNCT inputs and own sources
• Support RCO efforts in coordination and liaison with resident and non-resident UN agencies.
• Support requests for background notes, talking points, briefing materials to support RCO's engagement with all Partners in KSA.

• Assist in taking notes during meetings and in preparing minutes.

  Qualifications/special skills Bachelor’s Degree (or higher, PhD students included) in Economics or a related field (Statistics, Social Science) is required. No previous work experience is required for this role, the following are highly desirable:

-Exposure to or experience in carrying out social, economic and environmental research, policy and analytical work, and other research relevant to the SDGs; -Experience with writing up of reports and research papers in social science or statistics; -Experience with and knowledge of the UN Sustainable Development Goals; -Understanding of KSA’s developmental challenges, policy priorities and national plans.

Languages Fluency in both English and Arabic is required.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.