Research Assistant

Details

Mission and objectives

UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with Bangladesh ever since its birth and through its remarkable journey from a war-ravaged economy to a middle-income country. It remains a catalyst in Bangladesh’s journey from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. UNDP assists in building institutions and helps strengthen institutional capacities through people-centric, pro-poor, inclusive and sustainable policy making and development governance.

Context

UNDP Bangladesh’s in-house data collection team, Cox’s Bazar Analysis and Research Unit (CARU) is the only institutional provider of real-time data on violence, criminality, and social tensions in districts affected by the Rohingya Crisis in Bangladesh. This second phase of the programme (2021 -2026) builds on the foundations of the project’s first phase (2017-2021) that supported Bangladesh’s efforts to understand sources of violence, changing pattern of social tension, tracking the media reports, providing briefings and presentations to the stakeholders.
UNDP partners with research groups, universities, government agencies and international donors to maximize the capacity and appeal of local organizations supportive of peaceful development.
Research Facility of CARU: Knowledge, understanding, and insights into the drivers of conflict, violence, and extremism improved, and stronger capacity to analyse the sources and nature of disinformation, exclusion, and intolerance in Bangladesh.
CARU provides a service essential for Bangladeshi policymakers, humanitarian agencies, diplomatic partners, and civil society organizations defending women, refugees, minorities, and vulnerable communities.
CARU is now looking to hire a Research Assistant who can support the unit in monitoring and maintaining the database on the historical data on security incidents, and drivers of social tension in Bangladesh Cox’s Bazar District. This individual would provide substantive and administrative support to UNDP’s research and data components.
The Research Assistant will report to the Technical Specialist, Research and Survey Analysis under the Cox’s Bazar Analysis & Research Unit (CARU) which is a part of UNDP Sub Office in Cox’s Bazar. S/he will closely coordinate with staffs of CARU and UNDP as well.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Technical Specialist: Research and Survey Analysis, the National UN Volunteer will undertake the following, but not limited to, tasks:
• Collect and analyse open-source data on security incidents related to the Rohingya refugee crisis, with a focus on Cox’s Bazar;
• Compile and maintain a database of historical security incident data from January 2017 to 2021;
• Identify trends, patterns, and key factors contributing to security incidents in the area.
• Assist in producing reports and briefings based on the analysed data;
• Collaborate with other team members to ensure accuracy and quality of research findings;
• Stay informed about developments related to the Rohingya refugee crisis and relevant security issues; overall;
• Provide support in gathering historical data regarding security incidents and factors contributing to social tension. Input this data into the database and aid in research activities for CARU in Cox’s Bazar.
Results/Expected Outputs:
• The Research Assistant is to provide integral support and boost the efficiency of the CARU team. Accurate media monitoring, data entry and analysis of information for both internal and external audiences will strengthen the capacity of the team and promote UNDP efforts in this new area. The candidate’s initiative will be decisive in achieving high quality results.
• Full compliance of administrative activities with UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Quality maintenance of internal systems and files.