Research Associate

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.

UNDP Bangladesh’s in-house data collection team, Cox’s Bazar Analysis and Research Unit (CARU) is the only institutional provider of real-time data on violence, criminality, and social tensions in districts affected by the Rohingya Crisis in Bangladesh. This second phase of the programme (2021 -2026) builds on the foundations of the project’s first phase (2017-2021) that supported Bangladesh’s efforts to understand sources of violence, changing pattern of social tension, tracking the media reports, providing briefings and presentations to the stakeholders.

Research Facility of CARU: Knowledge, understanding, and insights into the drivers of conflict, violence, and extremism improved, and stronger capacity to analyse the sources and nature of disinformation, exclusion, and intolerance in Bangladesh.

CARU provides a service essential for Bangladeshi policymakers, humanitarian agencies, diplomatic partners, and civil society organizations defending women, refugees, minorities, and vulnerable communities.

CARU is now looking to hire a Research Associate who can support the unit in monitoring and analysing the data for promoting stability, inclusivity, and tolerance in Bangladesh Cox's Bazar District. This individual would provide substantive and administrative support to UNDP's research and data components.

The Research Associate will report to the Technical Specialist, Research and Survey Analysis under the Cox’s Bazar Analysis & Research Unit (CARU) which is a part of UNDP Sub Office in Cox’s Bazar. S/he will closely coordinate with colleagues of CARU and UNDP colleagues.

Under the direct supervision of the Technical Specialist: Research and Survey Analysis, the National UN Volunteer will undertake the following, but not limited to, tasks:

A. Assist Research Activities for the CARU in Cox’s Bazar:

 Provides technical and administrative support to the Cox’s Bazar research component;

 Assists activity planning, budgeting, project implementation, strategic partnerships and monitoring and evaluation, ensuring that results are delivered in accordance with work plans, and within budgetary limits and rules and regulations;

 Helps coordinate internal and external research networks involving prominent experts in government, think tanks, private companies, international development organizations and the UN system, particularly the Rohingya Crisis Inter-Sectoral Coordination Group (ISCG);

 Responsible for processing contracts, LOAs, and other administrative and logistic requirements as relate to Cox’s Bazar research activities, and other outcomes as required by the project;

B. Regularly monitor trends in Cox’s Bazar District and contribute to bi-monthly updates:

 Produce inputs and drafts of quarterly updates, as required;

 Regularly monitor developments on the ground in Cox’s Bazar, and provide informal insight and updates to UNDP colleagues and to key partners;

 Speak with local people, government representatives, and NGOs on the ground in Bangla, to provide additional insight into recent trends, for use in bi-monthly reports;

 Coordinate with the International Technical Specialist to compile this information into a brief overview of recent trends and present it in a series of briefing notes (weekly, monthly and half yearly and annual) which summarize relevant developments and factors relating to peace and tolerance in areas affected by the Rohingya crisis;

 Liaise and communicate with key stakeholders, including the ISCG and other UN Agencies, to brief them on developments as required;

 Provide analysis and regularly rank and assess the comparative importance of certain drivers by their respective probability and severity of impact;

C. Assist in drafting in-depth analyses and related workshop materials, presentations, etc. on potential trends in the region:

 Responsible for assisting the International Technical Specialist in producing at least one PEA, and to review or substantially contribute to another PEA in partnership with other UNDP staff or a contractor, over the duration of the initial project period;

 PEAs should be 20-30 pages long, incorporating information from the bi-monthly updates, surveys, and other applicable sources, but are expected to deliver additional insight and analysis not already available; the PEAs are not simply a literature review or presentation of pre-existing information, but must be an informed and comprehensive contribution to advancing the development community’s understanding of a thematic dimension of the Rohingya crisis;

 Ensure top-quality substantive input to other reports, analyses, knowledge products, concept notes and other strategic documents as required, incorporating national and global trends and best-practices related to social cohesion, peacebuilding and the promotion of tolerance;

 Support the hiring of sub-contractors to assist in drafting additional PEAs, as required;

 Facilitate knowledge creation, dissemination, documentation of lessons learned, etc.

Results/Expected Outputs :

 The Research Associate is to provide integral support and boost the efficiency of the CARU team. Accurate media monitoring, data entry and analysis of information for both internal and external audiences will strengthen the capacity of the team and promote UNDP efforts in this new area. The candidate's initiative will be decisive in achieving high quality results.

 Full compliance of administrative activities with UNDP rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

 Quality maintenance of internal systems and files.

 Respectful and helpful relations with all partners and colleagues  Confidentiality  Knowledge of UNDP Rules and Regulations is an advantage  Leadership and Self-Management  Focuses on results for the stakeholders and responds positively to feedback  Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, and constructive attitude  Remains calm, in control, and good humoured under pressure  Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities  Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills  Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view

:- at least one of these research areas: conflict prevention, governance, or violence and crime • Proven ability/skills in professionally preparing data in graphs, charts, and other forms of graphic design an advantage.

• Proven ability/skills in using web-based software for statistical analysis of data.

• Experience on humanitarian context and / or knowledge on the Rohingya and Cox’s Bazar culture and language desirable.

• Working knowledge of Rohingya/ Chittagonian dialect is an advantage.

• Knowledge of research and data management with advanced IT skills

• Skill in MS office packaging and data analysis.

• Skill in GIS.

Bangladesh is a tropical country and densely populated. The total area of Bangladesh is 147,570 square kilometers but the total population is more than 164 million. The countryside is green and full of natural beauty.

The incumbent will be based in Cox’s Bazar, which is famous for long natural sandy beach, and it is infamous for the largest refugee camp in the world. It is located 150 km (93 mi) south of the divisional headquarter city of Chittagong.

The average temperature in Cox’s Bazar is around 26 °C. The highest monthly average temperature occurs in May and the lowest monthly average temperature occurs in January. Load shedding to manage the power shortfall is common at any time of the day without prior announcement.

The law-and-order situation is stable however precautionary measures are required at the office as well as in the residence to avoid unwanted situations. Markets are available and kept open from morning to evening.

Cox’s Bazar has private mode of transportation (rickshaw, Auto Rickshaw, etc). Air flights, trains and buses are available to travel outside the city.