Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the Social Justice Section (SJS), Social Development Division (SDD) of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The Research Assistant reports directly to the Chief, SJS and will be under the overall supervision of the Director of SDD.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Research Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

1 – Assists in identifying and monitoring substantive aspect of the work of the Section in various regions/countries. Selects and evaluates a variety of documents, summarizes pertinent material, collects and analyses data and prepares background materials for assessment papers, studies, briefs and reports.
2 – Systematically follows through and retrieves, highlights and compiles information from a wide variety of information sources; prepares input for the electronic database and the internet and co-operates with research institutes and organizations in the collection of data.
3 – Assembles and examines original statistical material to ensure accuracy, clarity and validity; makes appropriate adjustments.
4 – Designs, prepares and maintains a country profile for each country assigned to the Section.
5 – Prepares a variety of reports, presentations, tables, lists, charts, data sets, and/or diagrams for information in order to facilitate the in-depth analysis of the retrieved information by the supervisor and other users.
6 – Participates in the substantive and policy discussions of the Section.
7 – Prepares abstracts of the Section’s outputs/publications and brief success stories of the Section’s projects & activities (in both English & Arabic).
8 – Maintains and expands contacts with other Sections and Divisions, as well as the UN agencies and programmes and other organizations relevant to the region, and co-ordinate the input of other divisions in the collection of data for assignments received.
9 – Prepares work plan performance reports, maintains and updates files (electronic and paper) and internal databases; designs and generates a variety of periodic and ad hoc reports, statistical tables, charts, graphs, and other background materials/notes to facilitate inspection and other reviews.
10 – Drafts programme/project summaries, co-ordinates review and clearance process and co-ordinates with editor, translation services, etc., on finalization and publication of reports in multiple languages. Takes on translation tasks and edit technical/substantive reports as required by supervisor.
11 – Organizes conferences and meetings and assists in the preparation of documentation and reports for these meetings.
12 – Attends a variety of meetings to follow discussions, takes notes and prepares summary report, notes for the file, correspondence, etc.
13 – Carries out quality control function for outgoing documents.
14 – Responds to complex information requests and inquiries in relation to SDD work programme from member Governments and substantive Divisions and follows up with the supervisor for necessary action.
15 – Provides guidance and training to new/junior staff.
16 – Performs other related work as required.

Competencies

Professionalism – Knowledge of research methodologies, data collection and maintenance. Ability to identify, extract, analyse and format data from a wide variety of standard and non-standard sources. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning and Organizing – Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Technological Awareness – Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent. A first level university degree in social sciences is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of 7 years of experience in collecting and researching data across various areas of social and economic development or related area is required.
Experience in the field of social development and in the Arab region is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is required.

Assessment

Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test when they are short-listed for a job opening. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) in English at the United Nations Headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST per applicable eligibility guidelines.

In addition to the above, the shortlisted candidates will undergo a substantive written assessment related to the functions of the post and a competency-based interview. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Special Notice

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.