Job Title: Research Fellow (P-2/P-3)
Organization: United Nations University (UNU
Job Location: Maputo, Mozambique
Job description
About UN University (UNU)
The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge, furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. UNU’s mission is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.
For the past four decades, United Nations University (UNU) has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe.
United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)
UNU-WIDER is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system.
UNU-WIDER is a leading international development economics think tank. The Institute provides economic analysis and policy advice with the aim of promoting sustainable and equitable development for all. The Institute began operations in 1985 in Helsinki, Finland, as the first research centre of the United Nations University. Today, it is a unique blend of think tank, research institute, and UN agency — providing a range of services from policy advice to governments, as well as freely available original research. More information on UNU-WIDER and its current work programme are available at www.wider.unu.edu.
UNU-WIDER is implementing a large research, capacity development, and policy engagement programme in Mozambique entitled “Scaling-up Research and Capacity Building for Improved Development Policy in Mozambique” (IGM). The main aim of IGM is to support inclusive growth and resilience that substantially improve the living standards of the Mozambican population. The programme addresses five fundamental questions that sit at the heart of the development challenges facing Mozambique over the coming years: (i) poverty, inequality and gender relations, (ii) private sector dynamics, the labour market, and job creation, (iii) macro-economic management and natural resources, (iv) productivity and resilience of smallholder farmers and responses to climate change, and (v) institutions and state capacity. In addressing these key questions, the IGM programme aims to uncover ways to strengthen institutions and state capacity to tackle Mozambique’s socio-economic challenges and support the Government in its efforts to formulate and implement evidence-based policies to the benefit of the poorest and most vulnerable groups. The programme is implemented by four partners. In Mozambique, the implementing partners are the National Directorate of Economic Policy and Development (DNPED) of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the Centre for Economic and Management Studies (CEEG), a research centre within the Faculty of Economics (FE) of the Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM). The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) and the Development Economics Research Group of the University of Copenhagen (UCPH-DERG) provide technical support to the programme. To that purpose, UNU-WIDER maintains three full-time research staff and two administrative support staff in Maputo based at the DNPED and CEEG. The research staff provide technical assistance to the local partners and offer short- and long-term training, in addition to leading and supporting the research under IGM’s work streams. For more information on IGM, please visit https://igmozambique.wider.unu.edu/.
Responsibilities
Based at the premises of the National Directorate of Economic Policy and Development (DNPED) of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), the Research Fellow supports the research and management of UNU-WIDER’s IGM programme implemented in partnership with DNPED and CEEG.
The Research Fellow will work with one or more of the IGM programme’s work streams: (i) poverty, inequality and gender relations, (ii) private sector dynamics, the labour market, and job creation, (iii) macro-economic management and natural resources, (iv) productivity and resilience of smallholder farmers and responses to climate change, and (v) institutions and state capacity.
Under the overall supervision of UNU-WIDER’s Deputy Director, who represents UNU-WIDER in the IGM Steering Group, the Research Fellow’s responsibilities include:
1. Support the IGM Management Team in ensuring the successful formulation and implementation of work stream-related work plans
- Work with the relevant work stream-related research team(s) in the development, operationalization and monitoring of annual workplans, including supporting the identification of policy relevant research topics and mapping of capacity development needs, commissioning and coordinating research and short-term training activities, and conceptualizing research translation products and dissemination events
- Work closely with work stream -related research team(s) to ensure that research is timely, of high quality, policy relevant, and reflects the priorities of UNU-WIDER, the IGM programme, and other IGM partners
- Keep abreast of and identify possible synergies with other ongoing research on topics relevant to IGM
- Support coordination with other ongoing UNU-WIDER projects in Mozambique.
2. Provide technical assistance, as well as training and other capacity development activities in the respective thematic areas
- Build the analytical, econometric and research skills of DNPED and CEEG technical and research staff by conducting trainings and providing day-to-day technical support, reviewing and giving feedback on ongoing studies and analytical work and making proposals on how to improve the technical elements of the work
- Promote long-term collaborations among DNPED and CEEG, local and international researchers, and others within the IGM programme
- Organize and lead academic workshops and capacity development activities
- Provide mentorship to graduate students and trainees hosted under the IGM programme
- Support the coordination of activities of local partners in the respective work streams with other national and international institutions, including UN agencies, the World Bank and IMF.
3. Conduct research in support of the relevant work stream(s) under the IGM programme
- Produce work stream related high quality research papers individually or in collaboration with IGM partners and others associated to the IGM programme
- Undertake statistical, econometric, and other analyses in relation to the relevant work streams, and synthesize key findings
- Write academic journal papers for publication in academic journals.
4. Support the research translation, communication and dissemination activities of the IGM programme
- Support the synthesis and dissemination of research under the work streams, for example through the production of blogs and research and policy briefs and through conceptualizing outreach and dissemination events, including academic and policy seminars, workshops and conferences
- Conceptualize and provide technical support to IGM research-based knowledge translation products, including infographs and other data visualization products
- Present the IGM programme research and analytical outputs to relevant target audiences, including local and international academia, local policymakers, programme donors and other relevant stakeholders.
5. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor
Key performance indicators
- Timely and quality delivery of planned research publications
- Timely and quality delivery of other outputs and activities (dissemination, organization of events, supervision, trainings, etc.)
- Quality and level of engagement with other researchers, teams, consultants, and partners
- Timely and quality input to programme documents (such as work plans), results frameworks, plans and reports in relation to the assigned work areas
- Quality and level of engagement with UNU-WIDER’s institutional partners in Mozambique
- Quality contribution to increased knowledge and reputation of UNU-WIDER and the IGM programme in Mozambique among key stakeholders (IGM partner institutions, donors, UN System in Mozambique, Civil Society)Timely and quality delivery of planned research publications
Competencies
Values:
- Inclusion — take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity
- Integrity — act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards
- Humility — demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others
- Humanity — act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet
Behaviours:
- Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
- Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
- Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
- Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
- Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways
Qualifications
Required Qualifications and Experience:
- PhD (completed or close to completion) in economics, statistics, econometrics, development studies, political science or a related discipline with strong quantitative skills.
- At P-3 level, a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience, including research, policy and capacity building activities
- At P-2 level, a minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience, including research, policy and capacity building activities
- An emerging body of research on issues of economic development, with particular attention to one or more of the following areas: poverty, inequality and social mobility analysis; enterprise development; public revenue mobilization; macro-fiscal analysis; agriculture; climate change; social policy.
- Excellent quantitative skills. Knowledge of STATA is required and familiarity with other software, such as R, Oxmetrics, SQL, QGIS would be an asset
- Demonstrated experience in research capacity development activities, ideally in the context of the Global South
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
- Excellent time management skills
- Ability to work independently
- Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Desired
- Strong familiarity with the Mozambique context
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in Portuguese
- Experience in building and maintaining relationships with government entities
- Experience in policy research and writing policy briefs
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English and Portuguese is required
- Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.
Remuneration
UNU offers an attractive, tax exempt compensation package including an annual net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance). Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy. For more information please see: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=SAL
Duration of contract
This is a full-time, fixed-term appointment. The initial appointment will be for one (1) year with the possibility of renewal on a fixed-term appointment basis, subject to satisfactory work performance.
For academic positions, the combined duration of fixed-term appointments with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for United Nations staff is 65 years.
Expected start date: As soon as possible
How to Apply:
To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:
- Apply via the apply link;
- fill out the UNU P11 form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
- provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
- answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.
You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.
Application Deadline: 19 October 2022
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks and references.
Special notice
Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the Rector’s authority. They may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised.
UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply and become part of the organization. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply.
UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
Information about UNU rosters
UNU 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 UNU.
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