Project and Research Analyst

Job Identification
‎15428
Locations
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Posting Date
‎01/‎02/‎2024, ‎06:00 AM
Apply Before
‎01/‎16/‎2024, ‎10:59 PM
Job Schedule
Full time
Agency
UNDP
Grade
IPSA-‎9
Vacancy Type
International Personnel Service Agreement
Practice Area
Inclusive Growth
Bureau
Regional Bureau for Arab States
Contract Duration
‎1 Year
Education & Work Experience
Master's Degree - ‎2 year(s) experience OR Bachelor's Degree - ‎4 year(s)
experience
Required Languages
Fluency in English, both oral and written is required
Desired Languages
French and or Arabic is a strong asset
Vacancy Timeline
‎2 Weeks

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.

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
Knowtalks. 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.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Adviser and Project
Manager, the Project and Research Analyst will be responsible to
effectively manage and coordinate project activities of the Regional Skills
Initiative. S/he will also provide expertise and implementation support on
capacity building and resource mobilization and partnerships. The Project and
Research Analyst will also facilitate and support the work with UNDP 's
country offices, private and public sectors, educational institutions and
entrepreneurs.
The Project and Research Analyst will lead the implementation and
development of the skills initiative, under the direct supervision and
guidance of the Chief Technical Adviser. He/She will assume the following
responsibilities and duties:
‎1.Project Management and Development
* Provide analytical and strategic support to the leadership to ensure the successful implementation of the Skills Initiative
* Support the development and implementation of innovative and novel approaches to address the skills gap in the Arab States, aligning with project objectives
* Support the establishment and activation of collaboration mechanisms with national and international experts to review existing national skills strategies and contribute to the development of new strategies that align with the project's vision
* Support in project designs, strategies, proposals, reports, and other relevant documents; and in ensuring that these documents provide strategic recommendations on skills development in the Arab States region
* Represent the initiative in the different national, regional, and international venues, events, and platforms
* Support the coordination with other similar UNDP initiatives at both country and regional levels, in addition to fostering synergies and knowledge-sharing among various projects to enhance overall impact

‎2.Research and Knowledge Management
* Support the development and implementation of a comprehensive research strategy that aligns with the initiative's objectives. Define key research areas, methodologies, and timelines to ensure effective implementation and sustainable impact
* Monitor the collection of relevant data from national and international sources to understand the skills landscape, employment trends, and existing skilling initiatives. Develop analytical and outreach products based on the analysis of such data among other evidence to identify gaps, opportunities, and areas for intervention
* Develop and implement mapping activities, including skills mappings, gaps analysis, stakeholder and ecosystem mappings, assessments, and similar activities and output documents
* Identify and document best practices and lessons learned from successful youth skilling programs globally
* Utilize research findings and data analysis to inform the development of evidence-based policies and youth skilling programs
* Support in the development of a knowledge sharing framework to disseminate research findings and key insights to relevant stakeholders, partners, and beneficiaries
* Contribute to the management and facilitation of workshops, seminars, and conferences to share knowledge and foster learning.
* Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with national and international experts in the field of youth skilling to gain valuable insights and expertise
* Contribute to strengthening partnerships with academic institutions, research organizations, and think tanks to strengthen the initiative's research capacity and access to relevant data and expertise
* Support the development and implementation of MEAL frameworks and tools to ensure that indicators are aligned with program objectives. Use research findings to assess the impact and effectiveness of the initiative's interventions
* Support the establishment of a robust knowledge management system to organize and store research data, reports, and other relevant materials. Ensure easy access to knowledge resources for the initiative's team and external stakeholders
* Encourage a culture of continuous learning within the initiative's team. Use research findings to identify areas for improvement and implement evidence-based changes to enhance the impact of the skilling initiative

‎3.Reporting and Partnerships
* Analyse and monitor the progress of the Skills Initiative, identifying areas of success and potential challenges. Provide timely advice on corrective actions to ensure the smooth delivery of project objectives
* Support on the fulfilment of different reporting requirements and deadlines
* Actively participate in project work planning, monitoring, and reporting
* Serve as the projects' focal point with course providers, facilitating seamless coordination and information exchange
* Maintain and strengthen constructive relations with existing partners, stakeholders, and beneficiaries
* Proactively forge new relationships with relevant stakeholders, including public and private sectors, to enhance collaboration in implementing project activities
* Conduct partnership mapping to identify potential collaborators and resources. Engage in resource mobilization efforts, including preparing funding proposals and donor briefings, to secure support for the Skills Initiative

‎4.Communication and Advocacy
* Use various communication channels to raise awareness about the project's objectives and outcomes
* Support in corporate and advocacy efforts, sharing project updates and results with relevant stakeholders and the wider community
* Act as a key liaison in disseminating project-related information to stakeholders, course providers, and beneficiaries. Facilitate information-sharing to maintain transparency and alignment with project goals

‎5.Team building and Development
* Support in ensuring that all members are aligned with the initiative's goals and work together seamlessly to achieve its objectives
* Foster a culture of inclusion and diversity within the team
* Support in ensuring that team members are well-informed about the initiative's progress, changes, and key decisions. Contribute to transparent communication and active listening.
* Contribute to a positive and supportive work environment that values collaboration and innovation
* Contribute to a safe space for team members to express concerns and work together to find resolutions
* Contribute to team-building activities and workshops to strengthen team bonding and cohesion
* Support the professional growth and development of team members by providing training opportunities and access to relevant resources. Contribute to the learning culture within the team

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT
The selected Project and Research Analyst will be working under the direct
supervision of the Chief Technical Adviser/Project Manager. Also, the
incumbent is expected to maintain effective working relationships with the
various stakeholders. S/he will supervise the Research and Coordination
Associate and Project Assistant.

Competencies
Core:

Achieve Results:
LEVEL ‎2: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple
projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively:
LEVEL ‎2: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve
complex problems

Learn Continuously:
LEVEL ‎2: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify
experiences

Adapt with Agility:
LEVEL ‎2: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing
demands

Act with Determination:
LEVEL ‎2: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve
greater results

Engage and Partner:
LEVEL ‎2: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency
collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:
LEVEL ‎2: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies :
Thematic Area
Name
Definition

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

Business Direction & Strategy
System Thinking
Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how
interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to
consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

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 communications; to tailor messages and choose communicate
methods depending on the audience.
Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media,
social media and other appropriate channels.

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

Prosperity
Inclusive growth
Future of work, automation and technology

Prosperity
Inclusive growth
Job / Employment / Decent work promotion

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements
* Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in education, social sciences, economics, business administration or other related field is required; OR
* A first level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) with two (‎02) additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master's degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience
* A minimum of two (‎02) years (with Master's degree) or ‎4 years (with Bachelor's degree) of work experience in policy, research and advocacy in the thematic areas of social science, skills development, upskilling and reskilling and employment.

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

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies
section
* Proven experience in a similar position in UN agencies or international organization;
* Extensive experience working in the Arab States region;
* Experience in skilling, workforce development, livelihoods or employability programmes and initiatives, technical or higher education programs, or online programs;
* Technical experience or knowledge of massive open online courses, and online education courses, systems and platforms;
* Experience in maintaining and building partnerships and collaborations.

Required Language(s)
* Fluency in English, both oral and written is required.
* French and or Arabic is a strong asset.

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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