Research Consultant

Result of Service The consultant will contribute to the research activities of UNCTAD's DODR Project, including the implications of cyber security policy on cross-border business-to-consumer e-commerce and for consumer online dispute resolution systems

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration Expected Duration: 10 January 2022 to 9 September 2022. Place of work: Home based

Duties and Responsibilities Under the supervision of the DODR Project Officer, the incumbent will support the design and implementation of DODR activities, namely:

- Design the research methodology for the report on national frameworks for cross-border business-to-consumer e-commerce including aspects on cyber security for Thailand and Indonesia. - Design questionnaires and conduct research of national and regional frameworks for cross-border business-to-consumer e-commerce and online dispute resolution for consumers, including cyber security policy, specifically in the ASEAN region, including China. - Analise and produce technical notes on the findings for the report on national frameworks for Cross-border business-to-consumer e-commerce, including aspects on cyber security for Thailand and Indonesia. - Coordinate the inputs and conduct further analysis on the critical points to apply online dispute resolution in light with the findings on the national frameworks for cross-border business-to-consumer e-commerce including aspects on cyber security for Thailand and Indonesia. - Produce technical note containing recommendations on how to improve business-to-consumer cross-border e- commerce, including cyber security aspects and assessing the needs to implement online dispute resolution in Thailand and Indonesia. - Coordinate the report on ODR in the world including coordinating with the other authors, revising, editing, integrating UNCTAD comments and finalizing the report. - Populate, sort and classify information on the DODR research database, including research on the Chinese consumer dispute resolution system. - Assist in the design and delivery of training programs on IT aspects of online dispute resolution for consumers, including cyber security, for Thailand and Indonesia. The design should contain feedback form earlier editions of training programmes for beneficiaries. - Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: An advanced university degree (Masters or PhD) in a law-related field is required. Experience: At least 5 years of experience in research in the areas of consumer protection, dispute resolution and/or cyber security is required. Including experience in drafting and reporting particularly in the fields of digital economy and consumer protection. Experience in research in Chinese language is an asset. Significant experience (3 years or more) engaging with national and international policy and practitioner communities on the importance of digitalization and the effects on cyber security and consumer protection issues is required, including experience conducting research interviews. Significant experience (2 years or more) teaching, training and/or delivering lectures is required. Language: Fluency in English and Mandarin is required.

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.