Research Assistant

Consultant Finance & Economy

Overview

Conduct research analysis on large datasets to inform strategic decisions.

You have:

• An advanced degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Business, or a related area is required.
• A minimum of 1 year of professional work experience in collecting and researching data is required.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.
• Data collection and analysis skills are required.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

The Research Analyst will be responsible for collecting, processing, and performing research analysis on large datasets to generate insights that inform strategic decisions and support the goals of the projects on competition, consumer protection and national development planning.

Work Location

UN-House ESCWA

Expected duration

6 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

Evidence-based research has become essential for governments seeking to design effective reforms, strengthen economic governance, and monitor progress toward national development goals. In the Arab region, the growing complexity of markets, shaped by digital transformation, evolving regulatory frameworks, and shifting socioeconomic priorities, has increased the need for rigorous research, structured information, and analytical clarity. ESCWA embeds research and policy analysis across its core areas of work, including competition policy, consumer protection, national development planning, and the wider business environment. This includes conducting comparative legal assessments, reviewing national regulatory frameworks, and undertaking in-depth analytical studies, such as market studies and assessments of national development plans, to help member States evaluate sector performance, understand market dynamics, monitor implementation progress, and identify priority reforms. These research products support policymakers by providing objective, well-structured, and data-informed insights that help strengthen institutions, enhance competitiveness, and advance sustainable and inclusive development across the region. To contribute to these efforts, ESCWA seeks to engage an Individual Contractor (Research Assistant) to support research tasks, information gathering, policy synthesis, and the preparation of analytical inputs. The contractor will help consolidate information from national sources, regional platforms, and international databases; support the drafting of technical materials; and contribute to knowledge products that inform ESCWA’s advisory services and capacity-building activities across thematic areas. This assignment will enhance the quality and relevance of ESCWA’s analytical outputs and ensure that member States benefit from timely, reliable, and actionable research to guide ongoing policy and institutional reforms. Duties and Responsibilities The individual contractor- Research Assistant is expected to perform the following tasks: • Research, extract, consolidate, and process quantitative and qualitative data using various tools and software. • Assist in analyzing and evaluating data sets for accuracy, clarity, and validity, and adjust reported data as needed. • Maintain and update relevant computerized databases to ensure data integrity, accessibility, and proper documentation. • Prepare reports, presentations, tables, graphs, and charts to visualize data and provide clear information to the project coordinator. • Provide specialized research support by gathering information from multiple sources, including national databases, libraries, online platforms, and ESCWA repositories. • Prepare abstracts, summary briefs, background notes, and bibliographic descriptions for inclusion in ESCWA documents, reports, and publications. • Contribute to drafting analytical sections and supporting materials related to ongoing projects in competition policy, consumer protection, national development planning, and business environment assessments. • Coordinate closely with team members, counterparts, and stakeholders to ensure methodological alignment and smooth integration of research inputs into project deliverables. • Support internal meetings and consultations by preparing materials, taking notes, and summarizing key points when required. • Perform other tasks as needed to support the successful implementation of assigned projects.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Business, or a related area is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 1 year of professional work experience in collecting and researching data is required. Data collection and analysis skills are required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. In addition, Arabic is a working language at 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).

Additional Information

Not available.

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 6 months ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: careers.un.org