Research and Data Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV National Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Youth contracts.

Since its inception in 2008, the Knowledge Project, which is a joint initiative between UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, has sought to promote knowledge societies and policies as transformational means to achieving sustainable development in the Arab States region and beyond. It does so through identifying knowledge and development gaps through its different knowledge products (knowledge reports, knowledge indices, foresight reports, tech tools, etc.).

This UNV assignment is part of the Knowledge Project; which is increasingly relevant given the unprecedented changes and new realities faced by the world today. The promotion of knowledge and facilitation of support for its systems of production and transfer as a development priority constitute key aspects of this project.

The assignment typically focuses on the production of the Global Knowledge Index (GKI) which provides a comprehensive roadmap of the factors and attributes that drive knowledge competitiveness. The index focuses on six fundamental sectors as the building blocks of a knowledge society; pre-university education, technical and vocational education and training, higher education, research, development and innovation (RDI), information and communications technology (ICT), and economy, all nurtured in a suitable enabling environment. The GKI is updated annually and its statistical methodology and structure were revised in 2021 to incorporate the global development challenges and emerging trends in a knowledge society; after having remained unchanged since its introduction in 2017. The 2022 edition of the Global Knowledge Index is expected to be launched towards November 2022.

To this end, the project is seeking the services of a Research and Data Assistant who will work alongside the research and data team and whose duties will include assisting in research, data collection and validation, inter alia. The tasks will offer the incumbent great opportunities to develop analytical thinking and data analysis.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Adviser/Project Manager, the National UN Youth Volunteer will:

• Assist in building the GKI database by gathering, updating, cleaning and tabulating data based on the most recent statistics from international sources, namely around education, RDI, ICT, economy and enabling environment; • Assist in ensuring recency, consistency and accuracy of all data and information on the Knowledge4All portal and publications; • Contribute to the prudent and rigorous use of timely data in all GKI-related products; • Provide active support and assistance to the research and data team in accordance with the project’s objectives; • Assist in preparing tables, graphs, fact sheets, written reports and presentations summarizing and analyzing data results and findings; • Perform any other substantive

• Professionalism • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Commitment to continuous learning • Communication • Flexibility • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement

statistical analysis and development indicators; • 6 months experience is required in data analysis; • Excellent analytical skills; • Motivated to contribute towards building knowledge societies and serving youth; • Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills; • Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team; • Ability to manage workload with minimum supervision and collaborate with a wide range of colleagues while meeting deadlines; • Flexibility and openness to learn and benefit from new experiences; • Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions; • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded; • Previous UN experience is a plus; • Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and others).

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in Beirut, Lebanon. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.