Thematic Researcher

Result of ServiceThe incumbent will be responsible for the following: • Summit Preparation Paper Draft paper for the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025, contextualized for the KSA and aligned with UN priorities. • Special Procedures Support Papers Preparatory paper for the Independent Expert/Special Rapporteur visit on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Revised and edited preparatory paper for the Independent Expert/Special Rapporteur visit on Violence Against Women and Girls. • Thematic Analytical Papers Paper on UN 2.0 and its implications for the KSA. Paper on the UN’s Six Transitions and their relevance for the KSA. Paper on South-South and Triangular Cooperation, including the KSA’s potential role. • Ad Hoc Analytical Outputs Targeted briefs, policy notes, and other analyses to support the RCO in real time, as requested. • Policy and Advocacy Recommendations Evidence-based recommendations for policymakers and the UN Country Team, aligned with UNSDCF and Vision 2030. • Knowledge Transfer Package A handover package including bibliographies, methodological notes, data sources, and templates to ensure institutional continuity within the RCO and UNCT in the KSA. Work LocationRCO KSA Expected duration6 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground The UN Secretary-General’s Development System reform, launched on 1 January 2019 pursuant to General Assembly resolution 71/243, repositions the UN Development System to deliver more effectively on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. General Assembly resolution 72/279 strengthened the role of Resident Coordinators and their offices as the central platform for coordination and integrated policy support at the country level. To effectively support the work of the UN Country Team and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in alignment with national development priorities and Vision 2030, the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) seeks to commission analytical research on key thematic and cross-cutting issues that inform strategic engagement. These include preparations for global summits, support to UN special procedures, analysis of UN 2.0 and the UN Secretary-General’s “Six Transitions” framework, as well as thematic work on South-South and triangular cooperation. The work will integrate the Leave No One Behind (LNOB) principle and a strong socioeconomic perspective. The assignment will contribute to evidence-based research papers focusing on the KSA context, support the UN Country Analysis with forward-looking inputs, and produce ad hoc analytical outputs to inform policy engagement, programming, and strategic decision-making. Duties and Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the Head of the RC Office and the RCO Economist, the Research contractor will: 1. Conduct a desk review of relevant UN frameworks, treaties, conventions, and analytical reports, including those of Special Rapporteurs and Independent Experts, as well as national strategies, Vision 2030 documents, and socioeconomic data. 2. Draft an analytical paper in preparation for the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025, situating key themes in the KSA context. 3. Draft a preparatory paper to support the visit of an Independent Expert/Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, including a review of national legal frameworks, policies, and practices. 4. Revise and edit the preparatory paper for the visit of an Independent Expert/Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, ensuring alignment with international standards and clarity for advocacy and policy engagement. 5. Draft an analytical paper examining UN 2.0 and its implications for the KSA context, with a focus on data, digital, innovation, foresight, and behavioral science capacities. 6. Draft an analytical paper on the UN’s Six Transitions and their relevance for the KSA context, including interlinkages with Vision 2030 priorities. 7. Draft an analytical paper on South-South and Triangular Cooperation, mapping opportunities, challenges, and potential contributions of KSA in this area. 8. Undertake related ad hoc analytical assignments, as requested, that support policy development, advocacy, and programming on UN engagement in the KSA context. 9. Integrate cross-sector linkages, LNOB, gender equality, and inclusivity across all papers. 10. Revise and finalize outputs based on feedback from the RCO, ensuring coherence with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), Vision 2030, and global best practices. Qualifications/special skillsA Masters (Ongoing) or Higher (Ongoing) degree in social sciences, economics, public health, law or related area is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 1 year of professional work experience in research is required. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required and knowledge of Arabic is desirable. 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.