Research Assistant (Data Analyst)

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.

The Research Assistant will support the development of the ISPAR analytical tools and platform, by providing the following: (1) Identify the needed methodology used by selected International indicators, (2) Extract the data related to selected indicators and prepare databases according to programming requirements, (3) Cooperate with the team to develop analytical tools using AI and ML techniques (optimization of policy packages, forecasting of macroeconomic indicators, among others) for evidence-based policy packages simulation and design.

Under the supervision of the Data Scientist, the Research Assistant is responsible to perform the following functions:

1. Provides general office support services to help ensure the smooth functioning of an organizational unit.
2. Uses standard word processing package to produce a variety of routine correspondence, reports, tables, charts, graphs, etc., in accordance with institutional standards.
3. Proofreads written products for completeness and grammatical and typographical accuracy.
4. Maintains calendar/schedules; monitors changes and communicates relevant information to appropriate staff inside and outside the immediate work unit.
5. Reviews, records, routes and/or processes mail or other documents; gathers pertinent background material; tracks and monitors follow-up action as required.
6. Methodology identification of selected international indices: Collect information about the underlying indicators, and identify the model used to produce the scores and ranks. Data collection: collect the data (historical and recent data) for the selected International Index. Compile the collected data in an Excel sheet. Prepare the Simulator for the selected Index.
7. Data collection and preparation: Acquires data from primary or secondary data sources. Filters and “cleans” data by reviewing computer reports, printouts, and performance indicators to locate and correct data problems. Identifies and analyzes errors and inconsistencies in data and calculations and provides timely resolutions. Perform all the usual data cleaning
8. Databases: Develop and implement databases, data collection systems, data analytics and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality. Format the datasets as per programming requirement. Finalize simulators. Liaise with the IT team. Contribute to the development of the online platforms and other online products by helping identify relevant functionalities. Contribute to testing the functioning of the platform and other online products. Revise datasets if needed.
9. Substantive work: Interprets data, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides reports with ongoing monitoring and refinement. Draft short report covering the main findings. Prepare draft brief on policy recommendations for selected Arab countries. Prepare draft methodological notes, parliamentary documents, training material and other required documents.
10. Substantive work: Collect information pertaining to policies and best practices for each of the individual indicators for Arab countries and selected benchmarks. Prepare library of policies based on desk review for the ISPAR platform.
11. Carry on ad hoc assignments as requested by the supervisor(s).

• Creativity • Planning and organizing • Professionalism

mini projects in technology related areas is required. Experience in the development of online platforms and tools for policymaking is required. Knowledge in international indices development would be a plus.

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 ESCWA. 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.

Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers:

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents - except for UN Community Volunteers), as well as final repatriation (if applicable). You can check full entitlements at https://app.unv.org/calculator .

Furthermore, in non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, a Well-Being Differential (WBD) will be provided monthly