UNDP Jobs - 56712- Individual Consultant: Research, Innovation and De

Individual Consultant: Research, Innovation and Development Expert

Location :

Beirut, LEBANON

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

05-Jun-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Six (6) months

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Six (6) months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UNDP/RBAS and MBRF have partnered since 2007 in the development of a series of Arab Knowledge Reports (AKR) which independently analyzed and monitored trends and issues affecting knowledge in the Arab region. Along the same lines and vision, the Arab Knowledge Index which builds on the three Arab Knowledge Reports (2009, 2010/2011, and 2014), is planned to be produced and launched by the end of the year 2015. The Index will be built using a multi-disciplinary and participatory methodology, and will be launched with the production of a publication that includes an assessment (detailed country profiles), as well as a thorough presentation of the methodology that was followed.

The Arab Knowledge Index will provide an evaluation of Knowledge in the Arab region, using country-based assessment. To this end the Index will be built following seven main thematic areas that were identified as the focal fields for understanding the situation of knowledge, based on the findings of the previous Arab Knowledge Reports. These areas are: Pre-University Education and Literacy, Higher Education, Vocational Education and Training, Research and Innovation and Development, Economy, Knowledge for Development, and Information and Communication Technology.

Two main features are intended in the process, the first being a focus on multidisciplinary which stems from the nature of the topic at hand. The second feature is the policy angle which requires a concrete approach to the analysis of challenges of opportunities within the research framework.

As aforementioned, one of the main areas of research identified for the Arab Knowledge Index is Research and Innovation and Development, as one of the main catalysts for knowledge production, transfer as well as localization. While this remains an area that experiences notable underinvestment across the different sectors of the Arab region (public and private), it constitutes a prerequisite to any progress in terms of competitiveness and the more basic requirements of today’s economic systems. The area of research and innovation and development also lies as the productivity bridge between academia and the different economic sectors, through which knowledge production and innovative ideas are translated from theory into practice and concrete achievements.

As such, the AKR project is looking to contracting a number experts and a team leader to form the Arab Knowledge Index Core Team which will work with the AKR Technical Team and report to the Regional Programme Coordinator, and be responsible for the required research, consultations, and drafting of the final publication, as well as all associated processes as per the following sections.

Duties and Responsibilities

While stressing the collective responsibility of the Core Team for the production of the Index, the corresponding Arab countries’ assessment, as well as the production of the final publication, however, and for organizational purposes the work load will be distributed among Core Team members. The Core Team member, expert on Research and Innovation and Development is primarily responsible for this thematic area in terms of generating knowledge, setting and implementing the adequate consultative process in full coordination with the AKR technical team. Along with that, and working under the direct supervision of the Team Leader, and reporting to the Regional Programme Coordinator, the expert on Research and Innovation and Development shall be responsible of:

Contributing to the drafting and finalization of the research methodology and conceptual framework, as well as the required action plans through both the production of the components that are related to Research and Innovation and Development, as well as participating in the consolidation of all the other components as advised by the Core Team leader;

Producing a synopsis of relevant indices in relation to Research and Innovation and Development that are already available, with a focus on the features and shortcomings of each;

Collecting and soliciting knowledge products and data to produce the Index and build the indicators that are related to Research and Innovation and Development;

Drafting / co-authoring in Arabic the final publication report covering the methodology (including the selection process of the indicators), and results of the Arab Knowledge Index.

For detailed information, please Refer to Annex I – Terms of Reference.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

Excellent drafting skills with a sound publishing record (both in Arabic and in English);
Extensive knowledge of the region and its knowledge-related challenges and priorities;
Strong analytical and synthesis skills;
Ability to work independently and achieve quality results with limited supervision and within tight schedules;
Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A PhD degree in a field that is relevant to scientific research and innovation and development with extensive experience in the thematic area to be covered.

Experience:

10 years minimum experience in the fields of scientific research, a solid level of policy experience in research and development, as well as relevant experience in designing and implementing research consultations;
Extensive background in quantitative research in the field;
Extensive experience in the thematic area to be covered, including the following research and innovation in the Arab region;
Research and Development (R&D) systems in the Arab region;
Scientific research and knowledge production;
Management of higher education and scientific research.

Languages:

Fluency in both written and spoken English and Arabic is required.

Kindly refer to the Individual Consultant Procurement Notice and all related Annexes by visiting the below link:

http://www.lb.undp.org/content/lebanon/en/home/operations/procurement/

Please make sure to submit all the requested documents/information; otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete.