Join UNDP: Research Associate Opportunity. APPLY NOW! 2024

Join UNDP: Research Associate Opportunity. APPLY NOW! 2024

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Research Associate – Women’s Economic Empowerment Project in Lebanon

Job Identification: 19127
Locations: Lebanon
Posting Date: July 2, 2024
Apply Before: July 17, 2024
Job Schedule: Full-time
Agency: UNDP
Grade: NPSA-7
Vacancy Type: National Personnel Service Agreement
Practice Area: Governance
Bureau: Regional Bureau for Arab States
Contract Duration: 1 Year
Education & Work Experience: Bachelor’s Degree – 4 year(s) experience OR High School certificate – 7 year(s) experience
Required Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic

Job Description:

Background:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP. We value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP and our values.

UNDP Lebanon addresses significant economic challenges, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as women and youth amidst an economic crisis. Lebanon has experienced one of its worst economic downturns in recent history, with a staggering 39.9% contraction in GDP since October 2019. This crisis has resulted in a drastic reduction in GDP per capita and has disproportionately impacted vulnerable groups, including women and youth. For instance, women’s unemployment rates have soared, reaching as high as 32%, exacerbating existing gender disparities in the labor market.

In response to these challenges, UNDP Lebanon has launched the Women’s Economic Empowerment Through Advancing Women-Led Enterprises project. This initiative aims to empower women economically by enhancing their access to resources, tools, and economic opportunities. The project also focuses on making institutions—both public and private—more responsive to the needs of women entrepreneurs, thereby enabling them to drive their economic success and contribute significantly to poverty reduction efforts in Lebanon.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the guidance and supervision of the Project Manager and the Economist, the Research Associate will play a crucial role in supporting the effective implementation of the Women’s Economic Empowerment project. Key responsibilities include:

1. Socio-Economic Research: Conducting thorough research and gathering socio-economic data relevant to the project’s objectives. This includes collecting data on productive sectors and economic indicators to identify priority areas for intervention.
2. Gender Strategy Support: Assisting the gender specialist in developing and implementing the project’s gender strategy. This involves gathering and analyzing gender-related data to ensure that project interventions are inclusive and responsive to the needs of women.
3. Stakeholder Mapping: Identifying and mapping relevant stakeholders involved in key trade processes and economic activities. This includes establishing relationships with key partners and stakeholders to facilitate project implementation and coordination.
4. Project Documentation and Review: Reviewing and proofreading all project-related materials, including reports, market analyses, business matchmaking platforms, and training curricula. Ensuring that all information is accurate, clear, and aligned with project objectives.
5. Data Collection and Analysis: Collecting and analyzing economic indicators and data relevant to project activities. This includes maintaining databases of SMEs and women-led enterprises supported by UNDP, and conducting benchmark analyses of export training programs.
6. Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing: Supporting capacity building activities and knowledge sharing initiatives within the project. This involves assisting in the design and delivery of workshops, training sessions, and other capacity building activities aimed at enhancing the skills and capabilities of project stakeholders.
7. Coordination and Support: Providing logistical and administrative support for project activities, including coordinating workshops, stakeholder consultations, and training sessions. This also includes reviewing reports, drafting meeting minutes, and ensuring timely follow-up on action points.

Competencies:

The Research Associate is expected to demonstrate the following competencies:

• Achieve Results: Plan and monitor work activities, pay attention to details, and deliver high-quality work within deadlines.
• Think Innovatively: Open to creative ideas, willing to take risks, and able to solve problems pragmatically to improve project outcomes.
• Learn Continuously: Curious and open-minded, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, and actively seeks feedback to improve performance.
• Adapt with Agility: Flexible in adapting to change and uncertainty, handles ambiguity constructively, and adjusts plans as required.
• Act with Determination: Shows motivation and drive, remains composed under pressure, and confidently delivers results in challenging situations.
• Engage and Partner: Demonstrates compassion and understanding towards others, builds positive relationships, and collaborates effectively with team members and stakeholders.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Appreciates and respects diversity, actively addresses unconscious bias, and confronts discrimination to create an inclusive work environment.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Education: Completion of Secondary Education is required; a University Degree in Business Administration, Management, Economics, International Economics, or related fields will be given due consideration.
• Work Experience: Minimum seven (7) years (with secondary education) or four (4) years (with a bachelor’s degree) of progressive relevant experience in the field of economics with a focus on Lebanon.
• Skills: Strong record in conducting research, synthesizing information, generating data and charts, extrapolating insights from available information, and identifying relevant sources for information collection. Proficiency in MS Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint. Familiarity with Lebanon’s socio-economic context and experience with UN or NGOs is advantageous. Ability to use statistical tools and develop surveys using tools such as SurveyMonkey is desirable.
• Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required.

Keywords: UNDP, Lebanon, women’s economic empowerment, socio-economic research, gender strategy, stakeholder mapping, economic indicators, capacity building, UN, NGOs, statistical analysis, survey development

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