Research Assistant-Data Analysis

Contract

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

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with Bangladesh ever since its birth and through its remarkable journey from a war-ravaged economy to a middle-income country. It remains a catalyst in Bangladesh’s journey from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. UNDP assists in building institutions and helps strengthen institutional capacities through people-centric, pro-poor, inclusive and sustainable policy making and development governance.

UNDP supports development priorities in partnership with Bangladesh governments, the United Nations system, the development partners and other partners to help the country to achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shock. In addition, UNDP now has the mandate to support SDG Integration to ensure faster progress on sustainable development and offers support in four areas, (1) integrated policy and programming solutions, (2) SDG metrics, data and analysis using state-of-the-art tools for modelling and forecasting, (3) knowledge and innovation and (4) SDG Financing options to help countries identify innovative ways to expand public and private contributions to reach the 2030 agenda. Lastly, the COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted an urgent need to adopt a Systems Approach oriented towards building Resilience to future shocks through continuously reviewed scenario analyses. To bring dynamism in these activities, UNDP Bangladesh has recently appointed a Country Economist to lead the Policy and Strategic Advisory Unit. The Advisory Unit will work closely with the Democratic governance Cluster and Inclusive Growth and Resilience Cluster. To support the work of the Policy and Strategic Advisory Unit, there is need to recruit a ‘Research Assistant-Data Analysis’ who will be responsible for providing high quality and real-time coordination support to the CE, producing summary of documents, providing data support to the UNDP Bangladesh Research Facility team and providing other assistance to facilitate CE’s activities.

Under the direct supervision of the Country Economist (CE) of UNDP, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks:

• Liaise with the members of UNDP research, accelerator lab and gender teams (which are part of the Policy and Strategic Advisory Unit) on behalf of the CE on issues related to ongoing research activities, communications and advocacy; • Assist the CE to regularly keep the UNDP team updated on outlook and perspectives related to the research activities; • Provide organizational support to the CE; • Organize and/or participate in meetings together with the CE; prepare and share summaries/updates/reports as required; • Create, manage and maintain contact directories and mailing lists of partners to facilitate activities of the CE with the government officials. • Prepare dissemination materials as required by CE. • Provide data support to the UNDP Bangladesh Research Facility under the supervision of the Country Economist. This includes: o Determine the sample size along with sampling methodology for quantitative sample surveys o Develop questionnaire o Develop digital data collection tool o Develop and implement database o Visualize the data in insightful graphs and charts o Acquire data from primary and secondary sources and maintain data systems o Identify, analyze, and interpret trends or patterns in data sets o Filter, clean and analyze data using econometric and statistical modelling such as regression, time series, longitudinal, multivariate analysis. o Contribute to ongoing reports (policy briefs and reports reviewing literature, explaining analytical methods and presenting the results) • Perform other related duties as required.

• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Communication • Creativity • Integrity • Judgement and Decision-making • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Self-Management • Working in Teams

coordination functions; • Strong computer skills, particularly in statistical software packages i.e. SPSS, STATA, Excel • Skill in a programming language such as R/Python will be an added advantage • Ability to prepare and manage digital data collection tool in KoBoToolbox/ODK/CSpro/SurveyCTO • Experience with UNDP/any UN agency will be an added value • Excellent level of English language writing and editing skill (ability to write well for international audience) • Strong communications skills in English and Bangla. • Very high level of flexibility and adaptability • Good planning skills demonstrated through good time management, capacity to plan, and deliver tasks on time • Willingness to participate in all aspects of UN/DP programme activities; • Strong computer skills, particularly of MS Word, and e-mail applications

Dhaka is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. Not only is it the capital city, but it is also the largest in the country. It is the centre of political, cultural, and economic life in Bangladesh. The official language is Bengali, while English is the working language of UN Agencies. In recent decades, Dhaka has seen the modernization of services, communications, and public works. The city is attracting large foreign investments and greater volumes of commerce and trade. It is also experiencing an increasing influx of people from across the nation; this has reportedly made Dhaka one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Good English-speaking medical, dental services, and educational centres are available for internationals. Dhaka is connected to other cities by rail, road, and by air and internationals can move easily from one city to another.

Dhaka has venerable green spaces, including many gardens and parks, historical places, and nice restaurants. The weather is tropical - hot and very humid during the summer monsoon season (April-September) and drier and cooler in the winter (October-March).

Historically, Bangladesh has been a safe country for internationals so far. While Dhaka is not categorized as a hardship station, the volunteer should be prepared for limitations in freedom of movement on foot, by public transport, and to certain locations.