Re-advertainment: Research Assistant with RBAS Regional Hub/Regional Programme/Knowledge Project (3 Positions)
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
NPSA-5 Consultancy Locallly Recruited Job Expired 2 Apr 2024
In 2023, the Knowledge Project plans to produce the GKI 2023, establish a skills development programme, enhance its knowledge 4all portal and mobile application, introduce its pilot Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy, and implement an outreach and dissemination strategy to increase its impact of the project outputs.
• The GKI offers a comprehensive roadmap of factors that drive knowledge competitiveness, focusing on six key sectors as the foundation of a knowledge society. These sectors encompass education at all levels, research, development, innovation, information and communications technology, and the economy, all supported by an enabling environment.
• Regional Skills Initiative: Having contracted a MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) provider in 2022 to enhance its skills development offer, this year, the project plans to design and implement the regional
skilling initiative to prepare citizens to effectively enter the job market. The skilling initiative aims to provide accessible and quality training to individuals, particularly youth and women, to develop the skills needed to secure quality employment opportunities. The initiative will focus on key areas such as soft, entrepreneurial and technical skills development. By developing these skills, individuals can enhance their employability, productivity, and income-generating potential, contributing to poverty reduction and economic growth.
The skilling initiative aligns with the project's overall mission of promoting knowledge societies and policies as transformative approaches to achieving sustainable development in the Arab States region and beyond.
• The knowledge4all portal and mobile app serve as digital reference hubs for researchers, professionals, academics, stakeholders, and the general public. They offer Arabic and English resources on various knowledge domains, including reports, indices, publications, and events. The platform also includes tools in development, such as data visualization, an AI tool, and a GKI simulation tool.
• The AI policy tool, that the Knowledge Project plans to introduce in 2023, will provide policymakers and stakeholders suggested policy recommendations to promote knowledge-based societies. As a pilot, the AI policy tool will only cover topics related to education. It will also provide information on best practices and case studies from around the world to help policymakers make informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls.
Accordingly, UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States is seeking the services of two Research Assistants to support the Policy and Data Specialist in collecting data, sourcing various data and references, drafting, reviewing and editing studies and reports, and in other administrative tasks as and when required, including but not limited to, supporting in the organization and coordination of the various activities of the project.
. SCOPE OF WORKThe Knowledge Project is a joint initiative between UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) established in 2008 and aimed at producing high-quality knowledge products and promoting knowledge sharing and dialogue. It builds on three Arab Knowledge Reports, the Arab Knowledge Index, the knowledge4all portal and mobile application, the Arab Reading Index, the Future of Knowledge Report series and the Global Knowledge Index (GKI). Moreover, the project has recently launched a three-year initiative to develop the skills of citizens in the Arab States region, which will be piloted in eight Arab countries providing 5,500 training licenses during the first year of its roll-out.
In 2023, the Knowledge Project plans to produce the GKI 2023, establish a skills development programme, enhance its knowledge 4all portal and mobile application, introduce its pilot Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy, and implement an outreach and dissemination strategy to increase its impact of the project outputs.
• The GKI offers a comprehensive roadmap of factors that drive knowledge competitiveness, focusing on six key sectors as the foundation of a knowledge society. These sectors encompass education at all levels, research, development, innovation, information and communications technology, and the economy, all supported by an enabling environment.
• Regional Skills Initiative: Having contracted a MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) provider in 2022 to enhance its skills development offer, this year, the project plans to design and implement the regional
skilling initiative to prepare citizens to effectively enter the job market. The skilling initiative aims to provide accessible and quality training to individuals, particularly youth and women, to develop the skills needed to secure quality employment opportunities. The initiative will focus on key areas such as soft, entrepreneurial and technical skills development. By developing these skills, individuals can enhance their employability, productivity, and income-generating potential, contributing to poverty reduction and economic growth.
The skilling initiative aligns with the project's overall mission of promoting knowledge societies and policies as transformative approaches to achieving sustainable development in the Arab States region and beyond.
• The knowledge4all portal and mobile app serve as digital reference hubs for researchers, professionals, academics, stakeholders, and the general public. They offer Arabic and English resources on various knowledge domains, including reports, indices, publications, and events. The platform also includes tools in development, such as data visualization, an AI tool, and a GKI simulation tool.
• The AI policy tool, that the Knowledge Project plans to introduce in 2023, will provide policymakers and stakeholders suggested policy recommendations to promote knowledge-based societies. As a pilot, the AI policy tool will only cover topics related to education. It will also provide information on best practices and case studies from around the world to help policymakers make informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls.
Accordingly, UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States is seeking the services of two Research Assistants to support the Policy and Data Specialist in collecting data, sourcing various data and references, drafting, reviewing and editing studies and reports, and in other administrative tasks as and when required, including but not limited to, supporting in the organization and coordination of the various activities of the project.
The Research Assistant will work as part of the Knowledge Project team and will assume the following tasks and
responsibilities:
a) Research and knowledge development
• Assist in the suggestion of new variables and help in evolving the structure of the GKI.
• Support in primary and secondary research on designated subjects, utilizing both qualitative and
quantitative methods.
• Contribute to the creation, review, and refinement of written materials produced by the team and
external consultants, such as background papers, technical documents, report sections, studies, and
input for publications.
• Compile research materials in a systematic way and prepare background briefs/briefing notes as and
when required.
• Assist in conducting literature reviews, synthesize findings, and support the development of project
reports and knowledge products.
• Establish and maintain an up-to-date list of key socio-economic databases, government policy
documents, key research documents related to the thematic areas of work.
• Ensure proper citation and adherence to UNDP editorial guidelines for referencing sources.
b) Data collection and experimentation
• Assist in the collection, validation, and analysis of data for various knowledge products, including the GKI.
• Maintain the recency, accuracy and diversity of different datasets across the project including the GKI.
• Generate quantitative data visualizations, charts, tables, and graphs, while maintaining an updated
reference list for policy papers, briefs, and reports.
• Assist in analyzing the collected data using appropriate statistical methods or software.
• Contribute to the development of interactive data visualizations to facilitate the effective
communication of research findings.
• Examine statistical material to ensure accuracy, clarity and validity and make appropriate adjustments.
c) Project organization and administration
• Assist in drafting, revising, editing, and managing project texts, minutes, notes, and other materials.
• Ensure that project documents are of the desired standard, accurate, and delivered in a timely manner.
• Assist in organizing and facilitating various project events like workshops, webinars, and conferences.
• Liaise with research institutions, NGOs, and think tanks as needed to gather data, insights, and inputs
for pertinent and well-timed research, enhancing the quality of outputs and reports.
• Provide substantive support in preparing for meetings and project-related engagements.
• Perform additional tasks as required to ensure the smooth operation of the project, showing flexibility
and adaptability to changing needs and priorities.
The Research Assistants will be working under the general guidance of the Chief Technical Adviser/Project Manager and Project, Research and Communications Specialist, and under the direct supervision of the Policy and Data Specialist.
Core
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.
Business Development
Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
Business Management
Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
Business Management
Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.
Digital & Innovation
Data collection: Being skilled in Data Sorting, Data Cleaning, Survey Administration, Presentation and Reporting including collection of Real-Time Data (e.g. mobile data, satellite data, sensor data).
Business Direction & Strategy
Business Acumen: Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome.
Prosperity
Inclusive Growth: Future of work, automation and technology
Prosperity
Inclusive Growth: Job / Employment / Decent work promotion
Min. Education requirements:
Experience:
Required Language(s)
Nationalities
