UNDP Jobs - 109200- Research Intern to support the Knowledge Project i

Research Intern to support the Knowledge Project in the UAE- Regional Programme - Open for UAE nationalities

Location :

Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

11-Oct-22 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 Months

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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 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.

Project Background

The Knowledge Project is a joint initiative between UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation established end of 2007 to promote knowledge societies and policies as transformational means to achieve sustainable development in the Arab States region and beyond. It builds on three Arab Knowledge Reports, the Arab Knowledge Index, the knowledge4all portal and mobile application, the Arab Reading Index, the Future of Knowledge Foresight Report series and the Global Knowledge Index (GKI).

2021 marked the beginning of a new phase of the Knowledge Project where main activities consisted of revising the Global Knowledge Index, revamping the knowledge4all portal and mobile application, producing the third and last edition of the Future of Knowledge Foresight Report series, and organizing knowtalks. In 2022, the project’s main activities consist of updating the Global Knowledge Index, examining imputation methods to fill the existing data gaps, establishing a skills programme, updating and enhancing the knowledge4all portal and continuing with the organization of knowtalks, among others.

The Global Knowledge Index (GKI) provides a comprehensive roadmap of the factors and attributes that drive knowledge competitiveness. It focuses on six fundamental sectors as the building blocks of a knowledge society, namely pre-university education; technical and vocational education and training; higher education; research, development and innovation; information and communications technology; and economy, all nurtured by an enabling environment. The GKI is updated annually, and its statistical methodology and structure have remained unchanged since its introduction in 2017. Considering the global development challenges and emerging trends in knowledge society, the methodology of the GKI was revised in 2021 to acknowledge these transformations.
As for the knowledge4all portal and mobile application, they consist of digital reference hubs for researchers, professionals, academics, stakeholders and the general public providing them with Arabic and English resources related to knowledge for development featuring reports, indices, publications and events, in addition to various tools that are being developed such as a data visualization tool and an AI-powered policy tool.
The Future of Knowledge Report Foresight series was launched in 2018 and uses online and social media analytics to foster a better understanding of societies’ ability to cope with the demands of developing fields and disciplines that are likely to play significant roles in shaping the future. It aspires to encourage proactive leadership among all nations to ensure the sustainable continued re/upskilling of workforces.
The skills development programme aims at strengthening the transmission mechanism between skills development and poverty reduction by equipping talents in the region with core employability and soft skills, foundational digital skills and technical skills to increase their likelihoods in finding and retaining jobs, as well as progressing at work. Thus, the programme will not only enhance learning, but will also increase earnings and boost productivity. The programme aims to build synergies will all stakeholders involved in the learning-employability process, be they learners, the private and public sectors, or academia, among others.

Accordingly, the project is seeking the services of a Research Intern who will work alongside the research and data team and whose duties will include assisting in data collection, data verification, research and preparation of presentations.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will be based in Dubai, UAE office. Responsibilities may include but will not be limited to the following:

Assist in gathering and verifying data and building the GKI database;
Provide research, writing and editing support on topics related to knowledge societies, including education, RDI, ICT and economy;
Assist in preparing tables, graphs, fact sheets, written reports and presentations summarizing and analyzing data results and findings;
Assist in performing quantitative and qualitative analysis of data;
Ensure recency, accuracy and rich diversity of the datasets available for the project's reference and perusal, including the datasets made available on the portal in both Arabic and English;
Perform any other substantive task that might be requested by the Chief Technical Adviser/Project Manager.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Strong sense of collaborative work, excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
Keen attention to detail;
Proven record of interest and work in the development field;
Excellent analytical and research skills;
Research experience;
Interest in the Arab States region and possibly some background in researching the region;

Professionalism:

Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems;
Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement;
Ability to work under pressure;
Shows pride in work and in achievement;
Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
Remains calm in stressful situations;
Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
Takes responsibility for incorporating the perspective of youth and ensuring the equal participation of young people as in all areas of work.

Communication:

Speaks and writes clearly, concisely and effectively;
Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience;
Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork:

Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
Is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda;
Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position;
Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning & Organizing:

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required;
Allocates appropriate amount of time and resource for completing work;
Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
Uses time efficiently.

Accountability:

Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honor commitments;
Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;
Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
Supports subordinates, provide oversight and take responsibility for delegated assignments;
Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Creativity:

Actively seeks to improve program or services;
Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs;
Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas;
Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas;
Thinks “outside the box”;
Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things;
Not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Technological Awareness:

Keeps abreast of available technology;
Understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office;
Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks;
Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Required Skills and Experience

Open for UAE nationalities

Education:

Applicants to the internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements in economics, statistics, social sciences or any other related field.

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:
currently in the final year of a bachelor’s degree; or
currently enrolled in a master’s degree; or
have graduated no longer than 1 year ago from a master’s degree or equivalent studies

Experience:

Relevant previous experience is a plus;
Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools and different web applications.

Languages:

Fluency in English and Arabic (both oral and written) is required. French language skills would be an asset but not necessary for the assignment.

Stipend

Where an intern is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme, a stipend intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station, must be paid by the receiving office.
The monthly amount of the stipend will be determined for each duty station based on the stipend rates published yearly by the OHR Policy and Compensation Unit. The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will, subject to the rules of such institution, government or third party, pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend.
No other payments of any kind will be made to an intern by the office in connection with an internship agreement.