Research Associate

Volunteering

Overview

Support the development and implementation of social protection mechanisms.

You have:

• Proficiency in Bangla and English.
• Strong research, documentation, and analytical skills.
• Experience in drafting research reports, policy briefs, and presentations.
• Ability to conduct studies and trainings.
• Very high level of flexibility and adaptability.
• Knowledge on SPSS and STATA will be an asset.

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.

Organizational Context & Project Description: UNDP Bangladesh has been a key facilitator in Bangladesh’s remarkable development story since it first arrived in 1972. It has been a valuable partner throughout this process, acting as an honest broker and a helpful catalyst in promoting transformational changes in the lives and livelihoods of the people of Bangladesh. Through its work, UNDP is also helping Bangladesh to meet its Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. To help the people of Bangladesh reach these ambitious targets. UNDP Bangladesh is focusing on three priorities:

(a) Ensuring economic growth is inclusive and supports economic opportunities, particularly for women;

(b) Improving social policies and programmes, with a focus on good governance and structural inequalities; and

(c) Building resilience and improving environmental sustainability.

In support of these priorities, The Social Protection Policy Support (SPPS) Programme responds to a need to reconfigure the existing social protection system. The programme provides technical assistance, bring global expertise and meet major investment requirements to enable the GoB to roll out a fully functional system in line with the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) and its Action Plan. It will draw on the NSSS, which provides a functional entry point for effecting changes in the wider social protection system via better governance and oversight of the system.

The first component of the Programme is the improvement of governance of social protection by helping to build coordination, M&E and reporting functions. It will also strengthen research and analysis capacities in order to build a more effective evidence base for effective policy development. The second component of the programme is to strengthen Social Protection System, with the purpose of developing a modern social protection infrastructure capable of supporting a nationally integrated delivery system for reliable, transparent and developmental GoB social transfers and promote linkages to ensure effective coordination. The two SPPS components will function alongside a piloting delivery component that will enable testing and learning and inform social protection strategy and policy through field-based evidence.

The Government of Bangladesh has formulated the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) with the objective of tackling poverty and vulnerability by contributing to human resource development which will have particular focus on child social protection. Therefore, the NSSS adopts the social protection programmes for families with children as the primary challenge. The SPPS Programme supports the government in implementation of the NSSS which recommends child social protection as the most important agenda of social protection reforms. Thus, the development of child social protection and nutritional upliftment has come to be most prominent engagement of SPPS Programme.

In view of the above, the The SPPS Programme is seeking a motivated Research Associate (with proficiency in Bangla and English) to support the development and implementation of coordination mechanisms among relevant stakeholders within the social protection system. The Research Associate will contribute to the preparation of analytical reports, research briefs, and updates on governance improvements within the sector, while also working closely with the team to strengthen the design and implementation of modern social protection infrastructure. The role requires strong research, documentation, and analytical skills to generate evidence-based insights, ensure high-quality reporting, and enhance overall programme efficiency.

Under the direct supervision of the National Project Manager, the Research Associate will undertake the following tasks:

• Support the development and implementation of coordination mechanisms among relevant stakeholders within the social protection system.

• Contribute to the preparation of research-based reports, briefs, and regular updates on governance improvements in the social protection sector.

• Assist the team in designing and implementing modern social protection infrastructure through evidence-based inputs.

• Conduct background research, desk reviews, and data analysis to support programme planning and reporting.

• Take detailed notes during meetings, events, and discussions, and prepare summaries and running commentary as required.

• Support documentation processes, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and proper archiving.

• Collaborate with team members to prepare data-driven reports and knowledge products.

• Streamline documentation and reporting processes to enhance efficiency.

• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Project Manager, SPPS.

Expected Results / Outputs;

• Deliver high-quality research inputs, analytical reports, and well-documented updates that support evidence-based decision-making in the social protection sector.

• Ensure timely preparation of meeting notes, summaries, and knowledge products to facilitate effective communication and knowledge sharing.

• Support the development and strengthening of coordination mechanisms among stakeholders to enhance collaborative efforts.

• Improve documentation and reporting processes to boost operational efficiency and contribute to the design and implementation of modern social protection infrastructure in Bangladesh.

• Demonstrate flexibility in undertaking additional tasks as needed, thereby contributing to the overall success and adaptability of the project.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Building Trust • Creativity • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Communication • Creativity • Empowering Others • Ethics and Values • Judgement and decision-making • Knowledge Sharing • Leadership • Managing Performance • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management • Technological Awareness

• Required conducting research studies.

• Experience in drafting of research reports, policy briefs, and presentations.

• Ability to conduct studies and trainings.

• Very high level of flexibility and adaptability.

• Strong analytical and technical writing skill.

• Knowledge on SPSS and STATA will be an asset.

Dhaka is located in central Bangladesh. 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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 8 months ago - Updated 8 months ago - Source: unv.org