DirecciónBackground
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
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 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 knowledge4all 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 a Project and Research Associate to provide research, analytical and coordination support in the update and revision of the GKI and other knowledge products, and to work on disseminating knowledge and on promoting dialogue with various internal and external entities.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project and Research Associate will work as part of the Knowledge Project team on assuming the following tasks and responsibilities:
1.Substantive research and GKI production:
- Support in developing strategies for planning, organizing, and facilitating research processes, including the revision of the GKI structure from a thematic perspective.
- Coordinate with the Project, Research and Communications Specialist to select new advisory board members and organize group discussions leading to the new GKI structure.
- Support in identifying potential collaborators, including stakeholders and reader groups, for the production and review of knowledge products as needed.
- Facilitate the relevance and significance of the variables used in research projects and the GKI, and conduct a mapping exercise for potential new variables.
- Examine the structure of research proposals including the GKI, assess effectiveness, explore potential changes, and propose enhancements.
- Compile and synthesize documents, literature reviews, and analyses from advisory board members for use in developing the GKI methodology.
- Support in gathering and verify the recency and accuracy of data utilized in research projects, including the GKI.
- Research best practices related to research methodologies and strategies employed by UNDP and other UN agencies.
- Conduct research related to the knowledge economy and policies, both within the region and on a global scale.
- Plan and support implementation of activities related to research and policy development and advocacy activities.
- Gather, organize and analyse existing and emerging policies, plans, strategies, standards related to the knowledge economy from national and international sources.
- Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing and analysing data results.
- Collaborate closely with consultants to interpret findings from the Global Knowledge Index, reviewing and refining methodologies to ensure robustness and accuracy.
- Analyse and integrate feedback received from internal and external reviews to refine the GKI structure as well as other research projects’ methodologies.
2.Content creation and project documents drafting:
- Source, edit, translate, proofread, review, and draft project documents, including research reports, terms of reference, requests for proposals, meeting minutes, project notes, and other texts in English and Arabic.
- Review, comment on, and provide technical inputs to reports, studies, papers, and other documents.
- Support the development of presentations for various audiences, based on data analysis and insights derived from research projects and the GKI.
- Assist in formulating well-structured activity proposals and event concepts aligned with the realm of the knowledge economy.
- Liaise with the communications team to disseminate information regarding various Knowledge Project publications, productions, activities, and more, targeting recipients such as UN agencies, donors, development partners, government bodies, international and non-governmental organizations (iNGOs, NGOs), and other stakeholders.
- Collaborate with the communications/data team to create visually appealing infographics and charts that represent key findings from the GKI and other research projects.
- Support in developing executive summaries and briefing documents for senior leadership or external stakeholders.
- Establish and maintain a repository of all research and project documents, ensuring easy retrieval and version control.
3.Knowledge-sharing platforms organization and coordination:
- Contribute to the planning of both physical and virtual events by identifying suitable speakers and organizing panel sessions.
- Assist in managing relationships with identified speakers and stakeholders to ensure their preparedness, alignment with event objectives, and coordinate their schedules.
- Contribute the preparation of activity proposals/event proposals relevant to the knowledge economy.
- Curate engaging panel sessions that foster insightful discussions and provide unique insights to attendees, ensuring that the content aligns seamlessly with the event's purpose.
- Participate in meetings, seminars, workshops, conferences, and other events and prepare minutes and notes as needed.
- Oversee the logistical aspects of event coordination, including venue selection, catering, technology requirements, and attendee registration.
- Coordinate with the communications team to promote the events, gather feedback, and improve future initiatives.
- Post-event, analyse the effectiveness of the event through participant feedback and suggest improvements for future engagements.
- Contribute to the development, expansion and maintenance of knowledge networks and communities of practice, including the project’s knowledge community.
4.Stakeholder collaboration and reporting:
- Contribute in establishing and maintain close collaborations with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate smooth project progression.
- Coordinate with partner organizations and external partners to align research objectives and methodologies.
- Seek feedback from a diverse range of stakeholders to continuously improve research quality and relevance.
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT
The Project and Research Associate will be working under the general guidance of the Chief Technical Adviser/Project Manager and the direct supervision of the Project, Research and Communications Specialist.
Competencies
Core:
| Achieve Results: | LEVEL 1: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work |
| Think Innovatively: | LEVEL 1: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking |
| Learn Continuously: | LEVEL 1: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning |
| Adapt with Agility: | LEVEL 1: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process |
| Act with Determination: | LEVEL 1: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously |
| Engage and Partner: | LEVEL 1: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships |
| Enable Diversity and Inclusion: | LEVEL 1: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making |
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
| Thematic Area | Name | Definition |
| 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 Development | Knowledge Generation | Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. |
| Digital & Innovation | Co-creation | Ability to design and facilitate a process that enables a diverse group of stakeholders to solve a common problem, develop a practice, or create knowledge together. |
| Digital & Innovation | Data literacy | Ability to use a mix of data sources (quantitative, qualitative or real-time techniques) to develop understanding, identify patterns to inform decision making or identify opportunities for further exploration. |
| 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. |
Required Skills and Experience
| Min. Education requirements |
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| Min. years of relevant work experience |
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| Required skills |
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| Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section |
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| Required Language(s) |
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| Nationalities |
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| Professional Certificates | N/A |
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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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