Research Consultant, Human Development Report Office

Contract

This is a IPSA-8 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Personnel Services Agreement. It is normally internationally recruited only. It usually requires 1 years of experience, depending on education. More about IPSA-8 contracts.

Background

Instructions to Applicants: Click on the "Apply now" button. Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. Please ensure that CV or P11 and the Cover letter are combined in one file.

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

Travel:

1. UNDP will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements.
2. Include any official travel expected to be associated with performing the functions

Office/Unit/Project Description

The Human Development Report Office (HDRO) is a small multi-disciplinary unit located in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in New York. The mission of the HDRO is to advance human development through the expansion of opportunities, choice and freedom. The Office works towards this goal by conducting original analysis and research, commissioning top quality background research, and, advocating practical policy changes. It works with others to achieve change through writing and research, data analysis and presentation, support to national and regional analysis as well as outreach and advocacy work.

One of its best-known outputs is the global Human Development Report, first launched in 1990. These independent Reports are intended to challenge policies and approaches that constrain human development, promote innovative concepts and to advocate practical policy changes. In each Report a different development theme is examined in-depth using available data and new analyses relevant to the chosen topic resulting in both an assessment of current status as well as a series of policy recommendations for the future. In addition, a set of human development indices are updated and published in the Report.

The Human Development Young Researcher Program

The Human Development Young Researcher Program (YRP) is expected to be a magnet for young, bright professionals who want to accelerate their careers, with an orientation towards research and analysis. As part of HDRO, you will make a direct contribution to the content of the Report and other products, to the quality and relevance of the background research for the HDR, to the construction and analysis of the human development metrics, to maintaining good relationships with external research partners and other relevant stakeholders, and in capturing the diverse reflections of experts in consultations that inform research and report development.

We are looking for candidates who are interested in building a career in research and pursuing a PhD as the likely next step after the program. At the end of the program, participants are expected to build a strong foundation that will help them to pursue their career objectives in human development.

Institutional Arrangements:

Within the overall vision and the structure of HDRO, the Young Researcher, under the guidance and supervision of members from the Research Team or Statistics Team, will provide analytical, substantive and research contributions to the work of HDRO. Such contributions would encompass contributions to the intellectual thinking of human development issues and paradigm; to the substantive work of the HDRs; to the work on human development measurements; and to the overall work of HDRO.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected

This is a structured, one-year development program where young researchers will have the opportunity to work closely with experienced development professionals.

The Young Researcher will undertake the following activities:

1. Research assistant work on human development issues.
2. Contributions to literature reviews, HDR data analysis and writing of the HDRs.
3. Review of background research for HDRs, communication with background paper researchers, and other area experts.
4. Fact checking of HDRs.
5. Work on the human development aggregate measures.
6. Contribute to compilation of data bases and graphs for indicators related to human development.
7. Prepare inputs for the proper dissemination of research, including presentations and materials for events.
8. Contribute to development of data visualizations and infographics.
9. Contributions to the overall work of HDRO.

Competencies

Planning and Organizing

• Sets priorities, produces quality outputs, meets deadlines and manages time efficiently;
• Ability to set and juggle multiple priorities and work under pressure;
• Strong attention to detail within an overall context of high-performance.

Client Orientation

• Strong service and client orientation;
• Anticipates evolving client needs;
• Excellent interpersonal qualities with the ability to put people at ease and to communicate sensitively and effectively across different constituencies.

Teamwork

• Ability to participate effectively in a highly team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating harmoniously with others;
• Willingness and ability to travel as work requires.

Communication

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and in writing);
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
• Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
• Proven ability to use information technology effectively as a tool and resource.

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Academic Education

• Master’s degree or equivalent in social science or statistics, with focus on social, economic, or political aspects of development. (Preference will be given to recent graduates, who completed their degree in the last 3 years.)

Min. years of relevant Work experience

• Minimum 1 year of relevant work experience, preferably in areas of research. Have a good grasp of substantive and policy issues related to the study of social and economic development, and of the human development and capabilities approach.
• Strong experience in quantitative data analysis using statistical software (STATA, R or Phyton).
• Very good writing skills and ability to produce high quality policy papers as well as shorter memos and notes.
• Collaboration and working in teams, exchanging information and ideas with others to reach common goals and making a substantial contribution to the team's work.
• Motivated to contribute significantly to the human development debate.
• Excellent command of English (oral and written). Fluency in one or more additional UN languages will be an asset.

Required skills and competencies

• Very strong analytical skills.
• Good writing skills in English; French or Spanish in addition will be an asset.
• Knowledge management, shares knowledge and experience.
• Self-management.
• Effective team player, that demonstrates commitment to UNDP values and displays sensitivity and adaptability.
• Good communication and inter-personal skills.
• Good understanding of the human development paradigm and its policy implications.

Desired additional skills and competencies

• More than one year of research experience in development area is desired

Required Language(s) (at working level)

• Fluency in English.
• Writing skills and verbal fluency in another UN language is an asset.