Research Fellow

Contract

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Background

CORPORATE BACKGROUND:

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

FELLOWSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND:

UNDP Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (IICPSD) has a mandate to leverage the role of the private sector in development. IICPSD was established in Istanbul, Turkey on the basis of the Partnership Framework Agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the UNDP in March 2011. The Center advocates and facilitates the contribution of the private sector to human development and inclusive growth through the following thematic priority areas:

• Private Sector Engagement through South-South Cooperation for the SDGs;

• Role of the Private Sector in Skills Development;

• Impact Investment;

• Private Sector Resilience and Crisis Response.

Under its impact investment thematic area, IICPSD and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) established the Global Islamic Finance and Impact Investing Platform (GIFIIP) in 2016 to position Islamic finance and impact investing as leading enablers of SDG implementation around the world. Bringing together the private sector, governments and key stakeholders operating in the Islamic finance and impact investing markets, the platform aims to promote market-based solutions to sustainable development challenges. It focuses on enabling the private sector, using Islamic finance in tandem with impact investing to achieve SDGs on a global scale.

As part of GIFIIP and the broader Islamic finance portfolio, the Center designs and implements activities to support the Country Offices (i.e. Afghanistan, Djibouti), partners, and stakeholders from both public and private sector. The activities include, but not limited to, developing Islamic finance backed innovative financing mechanisms, such as microfinancing, credit guarantee funds, Green Sukuk products, as well as designing capacity building activities such as training programmes and awareness raising activities.

Under the guidance and supervision of the IICPSD’s Deputy Director and Islamic Finance Portfolio Manager, the Research Fellow will provide support to research and knowledge management activities of IICPSD in Islamic finance and impact investing. The Research Fellow will conduct research on political, social, and economic trends in impact investing thematic area of the Center and participates in the formulation, management, and evaluation of knowledge management activities within IICPSD’s mandate to enhance the role of private sector in development.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Fellow will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:

No

Duties and responsibilities

% of time

1

Provides research and knowledge generation support, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Support qualitative and quantitative background analysis and related research (for Islamic Fintech Solutions for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs)-Afghanistan Case; Afghanistan Islamic Microfinance Toolkit)
• Provide support during the implementation of knowledge management activities of IICPSD in the Islamic finance area.
• Other research and information collection tasks related to Islamic finance area as required by IICPSD.

% 60

2

Provides administrative and logistical support, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Provide organizational support to the events including identifying and securing the venue, speakers and guests; outreach and drafting-distribution of invitations; managing event registration; and other related tasks (Afghanistan Microfinance Training and related Impact Investing and Green Sukuk Training activities of portfolio).
• Support the preparation of the document set for event participants (i.e. press kit, logistics note) and any other document deemed necessary;
• Prepare the logistics plan for each event and ensure its proper implementation in coordination with the travel agencies, hotels and other partners;
• Provide research support in line with the subject topic of the events (trainings, workshops);
• Provide administrative support to the organization of other national and international conferences, workshops, retreats,
• Prepare formal/informal translations.

% 30

3

Provides support to management coordination, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Assist in the preparation of notes, summaries, presentations for events and advisory activities;

• Represent of portfolio in events, organizations

• Participate in project meetings, as required;
• Support the senior management with collection and compilation of information;
• Support the development of knowledge management products (methodologies, reports, briefs, etc.).
• Support other/ad hoc activities as seen relevant and needed.

% 10

Competencies

Competencies and attitude:

• Interest and motivation in working in an international organization;
• Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;
• Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal-oriented mind-set;
• Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently;
• Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, business administration, Islamic finance, international development, international relations, political science, or related field is required
• Master’s degree in economics, business administration, Islamic finance, international development, international relations, political science, or related field is an asset

IT skills:

• Knowledge and a proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools;
• Experience in handling of web-based management systems (i.e. ERP, Atlas) is an asset

Language skills:

• English is required;
• Knowledge of Turkish, Arabic, Dari and/or French is an advantage

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: The application should contain:

• Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post;
• Current and complete CV in English;
• Please group all your documents into one single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Candidates who are selected for must submit prior to the interview the following documents:

• Official document(s) confirming meeting at least one of the educational requirements.

Stipend

During the time of the fellowship, UNDP will provide a monthly stipend.