UNV Research Associate

Volunteering Finance & Economy

Overview

Provide research and support for trade and investment analysis.

You have:

• At least 2 years of experience in producing research papers, policy briefs based on data analysis.
• At least 1 year of relevant experience in UN agencies, development sector, or academia.
• Experience working on economic development issues including trade, investment, and LDC graduation.
• Knowledge of research techniques and data collection and analysis methods.
• Ability to aggregate and synthesize research literature and extract key messages.
• Experience in preparing event-related documents such as concept notes and summary reports.
• Familiarity with volunteerism for development and direct volunteer experience is desirable.

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.

While graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status is a testament to Bangladesh’s developmental progress, it will bring various challenges, requiring adroit policy responses to manage the transition and prepare, especially for the loss of LDC-specific trade preferences. If Bangladesh can successfully navigate and mitigate any adverse implications for its export trade following its graduation from the LDC status, the transition should not precipitate major economic consequences, but will rather represent a natural progression in economic development. However, to navigate the transition effectively, Bangladesh will need to adopt a dual approach: securing extended LDC-type trade preferences as a transitional buffer and bolstering export competitiveness.

The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) will play a crucial role in the post-LDC scenario, despite facing limited resources—encompassing human, financial, and technical capacities—and programmatic support. The IP Transformative Economic Policy Programme (TEPP) – II project, funded by the UK government, aims to bridge these gaps, aligning closely with national priorities for a smooth LDC graduation, particularly on Bangladesh’s trade policy and trade negotiation skills, inter-ministerial coordination on compliance issues, private sector’s competitiveness, and evidence-based policy initiatives.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will also play a crucial role in supporting ongoing growth and economic development and reaping potential benefits from the LDC graduation. In an evolving context, Bangladesh will need to improve investment facilitation, retention, and aftercare services to attract more FDI. This project, through the Research and Analytics Unit (RAU), anchored in the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) of the Prime Minister’s Office will also support evidence-based policy reforms for improved investment climate in Bangladesh.

The Research Associates will work under the direct supervision of the Coordinator and Economist of the IP TEPP-II project. In carrying out her/his responsibilities, s/he will provide research support in areas with a critical need from MoC and BIDA, coordinate with different stakeholders as necessary, and provide investment and trade analysis for informed decision-making.

The Research Associate's responsibilities will include:

A. Support in conducting desk and field research on emerging issues and interpreting results for policy implications.
• Assist in identifying contemporary economic development issues relevant to trade and investment based on MoC and BIDA’s needs. • Help in doing data analytics on the investment situation in Bangladesh. • Assist in carrying out primary and secondary research to inform policymakers about the overall investment climate. • Help in producing policy briefs, research papers, reports, concept notes, etc. • Provide assistance to produce quick briefing notes and write-ups on investment and trade.

B. Support hiring individual consultants/consulting firms and ensure the quality of commissioned studies. • Support in preparing ToRs if hiring individual consultants/consulting firms for commissioned studies. • Help in assessing the candidature of individual consultants/consulting firms. • Assist in reviewing the work plans, programme/project papers and reporting documents when commissioning large studies. • Support in monitoring the activities of individual consultants/consulting firms. • Help ensure the quality of large studies commissioned by collaborating with individual consultants/consulting firms.

C. Help in developing partnerships, policy engagement and report writing. • Help in developing a list of relevant contacts of key stakeholders representing government, private sector, UN agencies, IFIs, NGOs/INGOs, research organizations, etc. • Assist in planning and organizing dialogues/workshops/consultation meetings, especially to disseminate the findings of the research among relevant policy partners.
• Support in preparing event reports. • Help to preserve all documents of the activities of the research unit. • Support in preparing the quarterly and annual progress reports of the research unit.

D. Any other tasks assigned by the team.

• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Working with teams • Communication • Integrity • Judgement and Decision-making • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity

analytical research especially related to trade and investment.

 Demonstrated experience (at least 2 years) in producing research papers, policy briefs, etc. based on quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis.

 Proven experience (at least 1 years) working in the UN agencies/development sector/academia/think tanks/private sector, Govt/Donor organization etc.

 Working experience on economic development issues including trade, investment, and LDC graduation, economic data analysis, and drafting development content.

 Knowledge of research techniques and data collection and analysis methods.

 Ability to aggregate and synthesize research literature and extract key messages and arguments.

 Experience in preparing event-related documents (e.g., concept notes, event summary reports, etc.).

 Familiarity with volunteerism for development, and direct experience as a volunteer is desirable.

Dhaka is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. 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. 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). 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 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org