Research And Data Specialist

Job Description
Background
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) was established to promote, coordinate and support South-South and triangular cooperation globally and within the United Nations system. UNOSSC, hosted by UNDP since 1974, was established by the UN General Assembly with a mandate to advocate for and coordinate South-South and triangular cooperation on a global and UN system-wide basis. The UNOSSC mainstreams South-South cooperation across the UN system and throughout the international development community by leveraging its global reach as well as its policy and institutional capacities to assist UN agencies and developing countries in strengthening their South-South cooperation capacities. For the same token, it serves as the secretariat to the High-level Committee (HLC) on South-South Cooperation, and manages the United Nations Fund for South-South Cooperation, the Pérez-Guerrero Trust Fund for South-South Cooperation, India, Brazil and South Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation, and the India-UN Development Partnership Fund.
In accordance with the 2021 UN Secretary General's report of the UNOSSC there are new concrete measures undertaken by the United Nations development system to expand its support to South-South and triangular cooperation initiatives of Member States at the global, regional and national levels, including implementation of the recommendations contained in the Buenos Aires outcome document of the second High-level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation (BAPA+40) and contributions to global efforts to tackle the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
It is in this context that the UNOSSC will endeavor to restructure and center its work around 4 pillars: (i) Intergovernmental Support and UN System Coordination; (ii) Knowledge Management; (iii)Trust Fund and Project Management; (iv) Programme Support.
Position Purpose
UNOSSC has developed a series of knowledge products engaging member states, UN agencies, and broader partners, including the South-South Cooperation in Action series, compilation of good practices of South-South and Triangular Cooperation for SDGs, and an upcoming comprehensive independent report on South-South Cooperation. Two platforms that promote this engagement are Galaxy and Expo.
These knowledge networking, services and products will facilitate substantive thinking and evidence-based analysis to inform policy dialogues at regional and global level. The Conference (BAPA+40) represented an opportunity to enhance current institutional arrangements to better leverage South-South cooperation for sustainable development.
Within this context, under the supervision and overall guidance of the Research Specialist (P4), the incumbent performs and supports research on conceptual and methodological areas of SSC and TrC. The incumbent will therefore contribute to the research, data analysis and reporting of good practices for SSC and TrC.
The incumbent will contribute in the implementation of relevant programmes and activities supporting the facilitation of UNOSSC policy discussions with partners and technical exchanges at different levels.
The Research and Data Specialist will work closely with the KM Platforms Coordinator in fostering knowledge exchange with other units of the UNOSSC to highlight and relay emerging opportunities for South-South Cooperation.
Duties and Responsibilities

1. Perform Research on policy issues regarding SSC and TrC
   • Conduct policy-relevant empirical research to advance the implementation of human development, SDGs and post-COVID socioeconomic recovery programs for SSC.
   • Design mechanisms to monitor the economic impacts of shocks such as Covid-19 and others (health, climatic, etc.) on human and sustainable development to inform policy and programmatic choices.
   • Conduct data analytics to inform the formulation and implementation of SSC initiatives.
   • Contribute to think-pieces, flagship publications and other knowledge products on relevant themes and priorities for the region.
2. Preform Data Analysis, Infographics and Reporting
   • Construct relevant data analytics to foster UNOSSC Mandate and value proposition.
   • Conduct strategic analysis using large economic and development datasets,
   • Perform a variety of data-related duties to improve and normalize data including data cleaning, documentation, quality control, data aggregation and integration.
   • Provide data, programming, analytical support, and guidance in accessing and utilizing the data for specific projects.
   • Apply data normalization techniques to facilitate statistical and econometric modeling.
   • Design and produce related infographics to illustrate and analyze results and recommendations from empirical research.
   • Prepare narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion.
3. Knowledge Management and Knowledge Sharing
   • Provide the statistical base to advance UNOSSC activities and provide sound grounding for capacity building actions.
     
     • Work with other UNOSSC units on areas of shared interest at the regional levels as well as those related to Trust Fund projects.
     • Contribute to policy-relevant publications and actively engage on social media through a close collaboration with the KM Platforms Coordinator to share results and recommendations
4. Teamwork and collaboration
   • Work with different units in ensuring capacity building and reliable data in transferred across the UNOSSC.
   • Contribute to team projects including those related by the Trust Funds.
   • Provide evidence based data to strategic management team to contribute to planning and quality assurance endeavors.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: N/A
Competencies
Core Competencies - UNDP Core Competencies can be found here.

• Achieve Results - Level 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively - Level 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously - Level 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility - Level 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination - Level 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner - Level 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion - Level 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management Competencies
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found here.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

• Business Development
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
  • Knowledge Generation: Ability to Research and turn information into useful knowledge relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need
  • Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally
• 2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness
  • SDG Integration: South-South and Triangular Cooperation knowledge sharing
• Digital & Innovation
  • Data storytelling and communication: Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion
  • Data analysis: Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision makin
  • Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• A Master's degree or higher in areas related to Knowledge Management, Strategic Communications, or Adult Learning or
• Bachelor's degree in the related fields with additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master's degree

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years with Master's degree or 7 years with Bachelor's degree of experience working in the development cooperation space
• Conversant with the south-south and triangular cooperation.
• Proven experience in the development and production of Knowledge Products is required.
• Proven experiences in managing knowledge sharing mechanisms is required.
• Extensive experience in engaging or working with think-tanks or networks is highly desirable.
• Conversant with UN systems and procedures is high desirable.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems is an asset
• Language requirements (Required / Desired) Excellent communication skills, both spoken and written in English required. Fluency in another UN language is strongly desirable

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Disclaimer
Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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