Research Assistant

Org. Setting and Reporting

• This position is located in the Office of the Director, Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development (OISC) in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The Research Assistant reports to the Economic Affairs Officer in the Officer of the Director.

Responsibilities

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

• Assists in identifying and monitoring substantive aspect of the work of the Unit in various regions/countries. Selects and evaluates a variety of documents, summarize pertinent material, collects and analyses data and prepares background materials for assessment papers, studies, briefs and reports.
• 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-operate with research institutes and organizations in the collection of data.
• Designs, prepares and maintains a database of country profiles related to requests made to the Division for information , including on reports of voluntary national reviews.
• 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.
• Participates in the substantive and policy discussions of the Unit.
• Maintains and expands contacts with other departments in the Secretariat, as well as the UN agencies and programmes and other organizations relevant to the region, and co-ordinate the input of other departments in the collection of data for assignments received.
• Prepares, 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.
• 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.
• Identifies the organizational requirements for conferences and meetings and assists in the preparation of documentation and reports for these meetings.
• Attends a variety of meetings to follow discussions, takes notes and prepares summary report, notes for the file, correspondence, etc.
• Provides guidance and training to new/junior staff
• Performs other related work as required.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of experience in collecting and researching data across various areas of social and economic development or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience in the United Nations system or a comparable international organization is desirable. Experience in budgetary processes is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/244737?language=en