Research Analyst (2 openings) [Open to all applicants]

Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)
• Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crises and to drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in nearly 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives, build resilient nations, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainable Development Goals represent the global consensus for the comprehensive and ambitious 2030 Agenda. The level of ambition and the need for resources to reach the targets necessitate innovations to increase efficiency, and partnerships for effective use of existing resources as well as growing them.

As a major effort to finance SDGs and in order to streamline its financial and investment engagement, UNDP launched the Sustainable Finance Hub (SFH), a finance and innovation platform, that draws on a critical mass of UNDP expertise, initiatives, and partnerships to support the mobilization and leveraging of resources for the SDGs and lead the implementation of the new UNDP private sector strategy and other initiatives. The Hub is an integral part of both the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA), as well as part of the GPN. The Hub serves as a connector, broker and global coordinator among internal and external actors; curates and manages UNDP’s catalogue of service offers on SDG financing to governments, investors and companies, via the COs, to significantly enhance the scale and impact of UNDP’s work.

Through SFH, UNDP’s Istanbul Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD), one of the five Global Thematic Policy Centers of UNDP, acts as an enabler for the private sector and foundations to become more active partners in development, encouraging them through policy advice and technical services on how to contribute towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. ICPSD was established in 2011 in partnership with the Government of Türkiye. The Center’s work to engage foundations and the private sector focuses on delivering policy advice and technical services in four thematic areas:

• Private Sector Engagement through South-South Cooperation for the SDGs
• Private Sector Engagement in Digital Transformation and Skills Development
• SDG Financing and Private Sector Development
• Resilience and Crisis Response

Under its SDG Financing and Private Sector Development thematic area, the Center offers research, advocacy and multi-stakeholder partnership services to diversify sources of financing for the sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a focus on developing private sector activities through supporting creating an enabling environment. The team has currently been implementing private sector development activities in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Research Analyst will support the existing, particularly Afghanistan, and upcoming activities.

Research Analyst will support UNDP ICPSD’s SDG Financing and Private Sector Development portfolio for its strategic knowledge management objectives and will provide research, content development, partnership building and programme/project management support in the design and implementation of projects and activities. S/he will be responsible for the design and implementation of the private sector development activities highlighting the gaps and needs within specific country contexts in coordination and collaboration with the COs, RBx and SFH teams.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of and reporting directly to the SDG Financing and Private Sector Development Portfolio Lead, the Research Analyst will be responsible for performing and contributing to the following:

Ensure Strategic Planning and Execution

• Identify potential intervention areas in different regions based on the results of the process.
• Prepare initial proposals and concept notes describing the design of potential support that ICPSD will provide to the COs.

Provision of Subject-Matter Expertise on Relevant Topics and Projects

• Develop technical documents, reports and briefs for the potential activities and projects that could be developed in line with private sector development needs in countries.
• Identify, and conduct a review and assessment of effective and successful models and mechanisms, which have been used in other parts of the world that can be built upon and replicated in countries.
• Develop a stock-take on the activities planned for 2023-2024 by major stakeholders in countries and support processing inputs to planning and implementation phases of the private sector development activities.

Ensure Outreach and Relationships Management

• Identify, map, and conduct consultations with the relevant investors, market players, stakeholders and development partners to understand their potential roles in the planned activities and to ensure their active engagement and contribution.
• Identify potential funding partners at the global, regional, and country levels, including donor governments, private sector, and foundation and prepare project proposals, concept notes, presentations, pitch decks, donor progress reports and other materials.
• Ensure coordination and networking with clients, stakeholders, and programme partners.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s). 

• Organize training, workshops, and capacity building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners

Institutional Arrangement

• The Research Analyst will work under the guidance of and reporting directly to the UNDP ICPSD SDG Financing and Private Sector Development Portfolio Lead.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies:

Core Competencies

• 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

Business Development  

• Knowledge Generation
  • Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
  • Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
• Knowledge Facilitation
  • Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.
• Collective Intelligence Design
  • Ability to bring together diverse groups of people, data, information, ideas, and technology to solve problems and design solutions or services. Knowledge and understanding of Collective Intelligence Design principles, methodology and practices.

Business Management  

• Result-based Management
  • Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• Partnership Management
  • Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
• Communication
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Digital 

• User-centred design, user research, user testing
  • Knowledge of user-centred design methodologies and ability to apply them practically

 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in International Studies, Political Science, International Development, International Law, Business Administration, Economic Development, or related field is required; or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields of study in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Applicants with Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of qualifying experience in sustainable investments, sustainable financing and impact investing area.

Desired Skills:

• Experience in drafting and finalizing high quality materials for internal and external partners including proposals and work plans, concept notes, technical and financial reports.
• Experience working on activities or initiatives in African countries, particularly in the areas of SDG investments
• Working experience in design and implementation of research and advocacy activities and projects on the role of private sector in development particularly in the developing and the least developed country contexts.
• Previous experience in investment landscape analysis and market research particularly for SDG-aligned investment opportunities.
• Experience with private sector engagement, investment and financing mechanisms
• Familiarity with the UN/UNDP system or experience working in an international organization

Required  Languages: 

• Fluency in English and French languages and excellent writing skills in both languages are required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

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