IC – Sustainable Development and Economic Research Assistant UN RCO Saudi Arabia

Result of Service
The research assistant is required to support all requests pertaining to
his/her duties and responsibilities under the supervision of the Economist of
RCO.
Work Location
Riyadh
Expected duration
‎3 Months Full-time
Duties and Responsibilities
The UN Secretary-General's bold new global reform agenda launched on ‎1 January
‎2019, in response to General Assembly resolution ‎71/‎243, repositions the UN
Development System to deliver on the ‎2030 Agenda for dignity, prosperity and
peace on a healthy planet. Central to this process, and as further mandated by
General Assembly resolution ‎72/‎279, a new generation of UN Resident
Coordinator Offices across the world are being strengthened under the
leadership of an empowered UN Resident Coordinator, the highest-ranking
representative of the UN Development System at country level.

In order to effectively coordinate the collective work of UN Country Teams in
support of national aspirations, Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) enhanced
core capacities will include expertise in coordination and strategic planning,
economics, tailored policy support, results monitoring and evaluation,
strategic partnerships and robust communications. The Resident Coordinator
leads the United Nations Team for Saudi Arabia, which is represented by
several United Nations agencies, funds and programmes. UNCT and the Government
of the KSA are in the first year of implementation of the new ‎5-year KSA-UN
Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (‎2022-‎2026) -
https://saudiarabia.un.org/en/‎185831-un-sustainable-development-cooperation-
framework

Under the direct supervision of the Economist, the Intern supports the efforts
of the RCO and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) to ensure a well-
researched, analytical, coordinated and harmonized response of the UN system.
The Research Assistant will work with the RCO Economist to provide well
researched literature reviews, policy briefs, monitoring papers, etc. to
enhance and accelerate development of KSA towards achieving Vision ‎2030 and
the SDGs.

Under the direct supervision of the Economist of RCO, with overall guidance
from the UN Resident Coordinator and the Head of RCO, the Research Assistant
will:

• Support the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the new Cooperation Framework of KSA ‎2022 - ‎2026


• Support in identification where the policy priorities and challenges in KSA and UNCT in KSA are, and in identifying areas of highest value added for the UNCT


• Contribute to researching and identifying challenges and opportunities for KSA to improve its ranking in SDG related indices


• Keep an updated overview of the world, regional and national major policy developments and reports relevant to the socio-economic development of KSA and achievement of SDGs


• Draft research briefs on economic and social topics using coordinated UNCT inputs and own sources


• Support RCO efforts in coordination and liaison with resident and non-resident UN agencies.


• Support requests for background notes, talking points, briefing materials to support RCO's engagement with all Partners in KSA.


• 
  

  Assist in taking notes during meetings and in preparing minutes.
  Qualifications/special skills
  Bachelor's Degree (or higher, PhD students included) in Economics or a related
  field (Statistics, Social Science) is required.
  No previous work experience is required for this role, the following are
  highly desirable:

  
  


• 
  

  Exposure to or experience in carrying out social, economic and environmental research, policy and analytical work, and other research relevant to the SDGs;

  
  


• Experience with writing up of reports and research papers in social science or statistics;


• Experience with and knowledge of the UN Sustainable Development Goals;


• Understanding of KSA's developmental challenges, policy priorities and national plans.
  Languages
  Fluency in both English and Arabic is required.
  No Fee
  THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT
  PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED
  NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.