Research Assistant

Result of ServiceThe individual contractor should provide the required research support on areas 1–4 which are to be delivered in a timely manner. The individual contractor should provide all statistical-software codes and data sets and programs related to the projects by the end of the contract in an organized manner. Work LocationUN-House ESCWA Expected duration6 Months Duties and Responsibilities1. Background Eradicating poverty in all its forms remains one of the greatest challenges facing humanity and the Arab region in particular. While the number of people living in extreme poverty dropped by more than half between 1990 and 2015 in all developing regions, it increased in Arab States where too many people, especially in conflict areas, are still struggling for the most basic human needs. Tracking, monitoring and eradicating poverty in ESCWA Member States is thus an important means of implementation toward achieving the SDGs, particularly the areas of basic services in which the 2030 Agenda aims for ensuring universal access. Current work in the Poverty Project is based on money metric and multidimensional poverty indices. In this regard we aim to recruit an individual contractor to assist our Project with mapping money metric poverty indicators. Specifically, the individual contractor will assist with research and consultation work toward the development of money metric and multidimensional poverty indicators and to support ESCWA poverty team leader in formulating policy measures addressing the gaps. 2. Duties and responsibilities: Reporting to the Poverty Project Coordinator, under the broad supervision of the Cluster Leader, the individual contractor will work closely with the Poverty Project team assisting in the following areas: 1- Support with the analytical inputs and drafting of the flagship publications, including the Arab Multidimensional Poverty and Middle Class Reports, and support in launch activities and preparation of related dissemination material. 2- Collect, synthesize and analyze country level data on multidimensional and money-metric poverty and support in updating the key messages portal. 3- Support with project planning, monitoring, and reporting of outcomes. 4- Assist in other related tasks as requested by the supervisor. Qualifications/special skillsA Bachelor's degree in Economics or Statistics or related disciplines is required. A Master's degree in Economics or Statistics is desirable. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. For this post no previous work experience is required. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, knowledge of in Arabic and English is required. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.