Research and Coordination Associate

Job Identification
‎15394
Locations
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Posting Date
‎12/‎28/‎2023, ‎07:30 AM
Apply Before
‎01/‎13/‎2024, ‎07:30 AM
Job Schedule
Full time
Agency
UNDP
Grade
NPSA-‎7
Vacancy Type
National Personnel Service Agreement
Practice Area
Economics
Bureau
Regional Bureau for Arab States
Contract Duration
‎1 Year
Education & Work Experience
Bachelor's Degree - ‎4 year(s) experience OR High School certificate- ‎7 year(s)
experience
Required Languages
Fluency in Arabic, English and French, both oral and written is required.
Vacancy Timeline
‎2 Weeks
Mobility required/no mobility
no mobility required

Background*
**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.*

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
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.
‎2021 marked the beginning of a new phase of the Knowledge Project where main
activities consisted of revising the Global Knowledge Index, revamping the
knowledge4all portal and mobile application, producing the third and last
edition of the Future of Knowledge Foresight Report series, and organizing
Know talks. Among the ‎2023's main activities, the Knowledge Project team will
start the pilot implementation of its newly launched Regional Skills
Initiative. The latter aims at strengthening the transmission mechanism
between skills development and poverty reduction by equipping talents in the
region with core employability and soft skills, foundational digital skills
and technical skills to increase their likelihoods in finding and retaining
jobs.
The initial phase of this initiative; i.e. the pilot phase, targets around
‎5,500 Arab learners from eight Arab countries and is expected to last ‎16
months, starting in January ‎2023. This phase consists of conducting workshops
to bring together public sector, private sector, and educational institutions
representatives in each of the targeted countries to discuss and update the
skills gap analysis to tailor the offer to the priorities and challenges.
Moreover, the project will start by pinning down the skills gap and planning
for the future skills of the targeted groups and translate the identified
needs of employers into skills that can be acquired through the proposed
curricula. Applying thorough pre-selection and selection surveys, the learning
content will be tailored to support the development of the right skills for
the right people.

SCOPE OF WORK
The Research and Coordination Associate will work as part of the Knowledge
Project team, reporting to the Project and Research Analyst in Dubai. He/she
will support in the following tasks and responsibilities:
‎1. Programme Coordination
* Ensure seamless coordination and execution of these events to facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity-building. Prepare technical content and choreography for consultations and workshops within the Regional Skills Initiative.
* Strengthen and build existing relationships to ensure smooth implementation of project activities. Assist in liaising and forging partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including government entities, private sector organizations, and other partners.
* Set up robust tracking and monitoring tools to ensure effective project management and progress tracking. Support the review and monitoring of initiative activities, including the onboarding and engagement of learners.
‎2. Research and Knowledge Management:
* Conduct desk research as needed to gain insights into the skills landscape in the region.
* Map key stakeholders, existing skills initiatives, and strategies in the Arab region include countries of focus such as Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
* Prepare various knowledge products, including background notes, surveys, skills matrix, briefs, fact sheets, written reports, and presentations. Focus on topics related to the labor and job landscapes in the Arab States region to inform decision-making and advocacy efforts.
* Collect data from national and international sources related to employment, skills, educational mismatch, extent of training, and other relevant aspects.
* Analyse the data to derive meaningful insights and inform evidence-based interventions.
‎3. Reporting and Partnerships:
* Support the preparation of periodic narrative and financial reports, including donor and UNDP corporate reporting. Ensure timely and accurate reporting to provide stakeholders with updates on project progress and achievements.
* Assist in the establishment and fostering of partnerships with all relevant stakeholders, including government entities, private sector organizations, and other partners. Strengthen existing relationships to maximize collaboration and support for the project.
‎4. Communication and Advocacy:
* Assist in developing communication materials, including project presentations, short scripts, and invitation letters, as required. Ensure that the materials effectively communicate the objectives and impact of the project.
* Support advocacy efforts to raise awareness about the project's objectives and achievements. Engage with stakeholders at local, regional, and international levels to garner support and recognition for the initiative.
* Coordinate with relevant teams to promote public engagement and awareness of the project's activities and outcomes. Utilize various communication channels, including social media and traditional media, to reach a wider audience.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT
The selected Research and Coordination Associate will be working under the
direct supervision of the Project and Research Analyst and overall supervision
of the Chief Technical Adviser/Project Manager. Also, the incumbent is
expected to maintain effective working relationships with the various
stakeholders, donor and colleagues at the Hub and country offices.

COMPETENCIES
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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Thematic Area
Name
Definition

Business development
Knowledge generation
Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for
context, or responsive to a stated need

Digital and innovation
Digital learning and development
Knowledge of digital learning methods and ability to design and develop
digital learning programmes.

Partnership management
Relationship management
Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build,
sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

Business direction and strategy
Negotiation and influence
Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of
difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually
acceptable solutions
through compromise and creates 'win-win' situations

Prosperity
Inclusive Growth
Future of work, automation and technology

Prosperity
Inclusive Growth
Job / Employment / Decent work promotion

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Min. Education requirements
Secondary education or Bachelor's degree in economics, business
administration, education, social sciences or any other related field.

Min. years of relevant work experience
A minimum of seven (‎07) years with secondary education or four (‎04) years with
Bachelor's degree of relevant experience of working at the national and/or
regional level, in economic research, upskilling and reskilling initiatives,
or in the domain of employment/entrepreneurship, livelihoods and workforce
programs and services, or technical education and higher education (or online
education), or other relevant programmes.

Required skills
* Excellent computer literacy (MS Office; Windows; Internet);
* Excellent communications, report writing and analytical skills.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies
section
* Extensive experience working in the Arab States region;
* Experience and knowledge of massive open online courses and/or education;
* Proven experience in a similar position in UN agencies.

Required Language(s)
Fluency in Arabic, English and French, both oral and written is required

Nationalities
* National of the UAE or other nationalities with valid legal work permit and valid residency in the UAE or;
* Non-residents of the UAE (all costs related to visa/residency will be borne by the selected candidate).

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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