Research Assistant

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

The incumbent will be responsible for the provision of accurate and high-quality research support, collection of the data and populating it, and conducting the related analysis.

Work Location

UN-House ESCWA

Expected duration

1 Month

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Background The Sultanate of Oman has pursued ambitious economic and developmental strategies since the mid-1970s to achieve sustainable economic growth and enhance the quality of life for its citizens. These strategies, embodied in five-year development plans, aim to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. Economic diversification is a key goal, reducing reliance on oil revenues by developing sectors such as manufacturing, fisheries, agriculture, mining, and services. The country prioritizes infrastructure development, including roads, ports, and airports, fostering economic growth, facilitating transportation and trade, and attracting foreign investments. The tenth five-year plan (2021-2025), part of the "Oman 2040" vision, emphasizes achieving financial balance, reducing budget deficits, and enhancing economic integration with neighboring countries. The plan aims for sustainable economic growth, focusing on key economic sectors and international competitiveness. Despite challenges, Oman has successfully formulated ambitious national goals, addressing economic and social development within an integrated time frame and organizational structure. The plan focuses on policies and program choices to tackle development challenges, reflecting a commitment to balanced economic and social development. Oman places significant importance on financial transparency, technological development, and preparing for the fourth industrial revolution. Efforts include creating a comprehensive statistical information system and conducting censuses and surveys to provide necessary indicators until 2030. In 2021, Oman outperformed the Arab world's average on development challenges but aligned with the global average. Despite challenges, the country demonstrated improvements in addressing inequality and governance, emphasizing the importance of inclusive development. Oman's five-year plans underscore its commitment to sustainable development, improving citizens' quality of life and positioning the country for future prosperity. 2. Objective The objective of the project is to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and review of Oman's tenth five-year development plan, aligning with the mandate outlined in Article 8 of Royal Decree No. 1/2021. This evaluation aims to assess the plan's performance over the past years, identify necessary adjustments for the remaining period, and estimate financial gaps to ensure successful implementation. The project further seeks to support Oman's commitment to active strategic planning by launching initiatives that align with global standards. This includes evaluating and documenting the outcomes of the tenth plan, analyzing the efficiency and effectiveness of strategic programs, and determining the future direction for the remaining period. The overarching goal is to provide a guiding framework for the formulation of the eleventh five-year plan (2026-2030) and contribute to Oman's 2040 vision. In addition, the project aims to assess environmental impacts on development, with a focus on biodiversity, climate change, ecological system mapping, and data identification and analysis. By leveraging the expertise of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the project aspires to position Oman as a prominent leader in global environmental initiatives. To achieve the overall objective of the project, a critical component involves assessing the four key themes identified by the plan. The objective of this assessment is to comprehensively analyze and measure the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the impact and effectiveness of initiatives and programs under each of the four themes within the framework of the tenth five-year development plan. By conducting a thorough assessment of the KPIs related to each theme, the project aims to provide valuable insights and recommendations. The findings will contribute to the broader evaluation of the tenth five-year plan, guiding adjustments, and informing the formulation of the subsequent five-year plan while ensuring that Oman progresses toward its long-term vision of becoming a society characterized by creativity and innovation. 3. Tasks The Individual Contractor (IC) is tasked with providing research support for the extra-budgetary project: Strengthening Strategic Planning in the Sultanate of Oman: Mid-Term Review. The primary focus is on conducting an in-depth assessment of KPIs related to one of the Four Key themes of the 10th Five-Year Development Plan in Oman. The key themes are as follows: A Society of Creative Individuals, A Competitive Economy, An Environment with Sustainable Components, and Responsible State Agencies. The IC will assist the team through the following duties: A. Research and Data Compilation: • Gather and compile fundamental information and technical data pertaining to the Fourth Theme of the 10th Five-Year Development Plan in Oman. • Undertake comprehensive research to gather relevant data and insights on indicators within the 10th five-year NDP framework. • Support to input the data into the logframe/matrix. B. Indicator Assessment and Analysis: • Evaluate and analyze the set of indicators associated with the key themes. C. Meeting Participation: • Participate in relevant meetings with concerned parties to facilitate the preparation of working plans. D. Report Drafting: • Support in drafting the final report on the assessment results, highlighting gaps areas of success, and providing actionable recommendations for achieving better outcomes by the end of the plan.

Qualifications/special skills

A Bachelor's degree in business, economic, statistics, sustainability or related area is required. An advanced university degree in the above fields is desirable. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. No previous work experience is required for this job opening. Knowledge in the fields of business, economics, statistics or related field is required. Familiarity with key performance indicators and measurement frameworks is desirable.

Languages

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Additional Information

Recruitment for this position is on a local basis. The incumbent is required to have the legal right to live and work in the specified working location.

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.