Mission and objectivesUNDP works in more than 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience to sustain development results. UNDP has been present in Malawi since 1964. Working closely with the Government of Malawi, civil society and the private sector, UNDP' s work aims to contribute to economic growth, sustainable environmental management, and democratic governance and accountability in Malawi. UNDPโs Country Programme Document is closely aligned to the Malawi Agenda 2063 and supports Malawiโs aim to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. UNDP โs programme is designed to address the interlinked issues of poverty, inequality and vulnerability to shocks and is managed within two portfolios: Responsive Institutions and Citizen Engagement which works towards strengthening effective, accountable and inclusive governance that promotes civic engagement, respect for human rights, rule of law, peace and democracy. It also works towards strengthening data generation and analysis. Resilience and Sustainable Growth which focusses on enhancing economic innovation, inclusive business, job creation, and renewable energy access. It also works towards helping Malawi adapt to climate change and build resilience to disasters.
ContextUNDP Malawi Country Office (CO) has re-focused its efforts to support innovation, knowledge management and an evidence-based approach to enhance UNDPโs leadership as a thought leader in the implementation of the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development and the Malawi 2063 vision and its 10-year Implementation plan (MIP 1) anchored by the UNDP Strategic Plan 2023 to 2025. Within this context, the Development Impact Advisory Team (DIAT) was established to enhance development effectiveness by improving systems, tools and mechanisms for national policy and strategy planning, management, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. Importantly it is designed to function as a โthink tankโ to provide strategic policy advisory services and buffer the upstream engagement of UNDP mostly in relation to the effective implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and functional data ecosystem. DIAT has three main functions i.e., Research, Advocacy and Capacity development. a) Research: Carry out quality and credible policy research to generate knowledge and credibility. This entails rigorous application of social science research methods, detailed presentation of results, and production of policy notes, and poverty reporting. b) Advocacy: Undertake advocacy on global developmental issues, knowledge products including the Human Development Reports (HDRs), Africa Human Development Report (AFHDR), and National Human Development Report (NHDR) to influence policy. This entails making specific policy recommendations, publicizing, and seeking access to decision-makers; and c) Capacity development: Strengthening institutional capacity for policy reform through training for UNDP and Government on economic issues, policy analysis, development planning, development monitoring, macroeconomic analysis, and transformational change for leadership in policy reform. It also supports and complements efforts of UNDP M&E team on monitoring and evaluation of the CO programmatic portfolio. Under the guidance of DIAT staff, the Research Associate will assist in data collection and information gathering to support ongoing and proposed research, policy/strategy development.
Task Description Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Economic Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the Research Associate will: Research, Analytical Support and Knowledge Management: โข Conduct background research (both qualitative and quantitative) to support ongoing and proposed research, policy, and strategy development initiatives. โข Assist in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data related to economic and development indicators. โข Organize workshops, seminars, and training sessions related to research findings and policy recommendations. โข Maintain organized records of research activities, datasets, and relevant documentation. โข Prepare briefs, notes, and background documents to inform policy discussions and decision-making processes. โข Support the dissemination of knowledge products, including policy briefs and presentations. โข Support the drafting of research reports, policy papers, and other analytical documents. Coordination and Support: โข Assist in the planning and implementation of research initiatives, including the development of work plans and timelines. โข Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate research activities and data collection. โข Undertake other research tasks assigned by the Economics Specialist. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: โข Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); โข Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; โข Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. โข Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; โข Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; โข Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. โข As an active UNDP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o Develop and deliver high-quality research outputs, including policy briefs, analytical reports, and background documents, to inform decision-making processes. o Efficiently coordinate research initiatives, ensuring timely data collection, stakeholder engagement, and adherence to project timelines.
Competencies and valuesโข Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP Malawi; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP Malawi procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client oriented. โข Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP Malawi in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organizationโs interest even if they are unpopular; does not abuse power or authority. โข Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multicultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues. โข Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. โข Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. โข Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff, volunteers and counterparts coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups. โข Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary.
Living conditions and remarksAs this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.