Environment & Human Development Research Specialist

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, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we 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 including our values and inspiring stories.

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.

Office/Unit/Project Description

The Human Development Report Office (HDRO) is a small multi-disciplinary unit located in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in New York. The mission of the HDRO is to advance human development through the expansion of opportunities, choice, and freedom. The Office works towards this goal by conducting original analysis and research, commissioning top quality background research, and advocating practical policy changes. It works with others to achieve change through writing and research, data analysis and presentation, support to national and regional analysis as well as outreach and advocacy work.

One of its best-known outputs is the global Human Development Report (HDR), first launched in 1990. These independent Reports are intended to challenge policies and approaches that constrain human development, promote innovative concepts, and advocate practical policy changes. In each Report a different development theme is examined in depth using available data and new analyses relevant to the chosen topic resulting in both an assessment of status as well as a series of policy recommendations for the future. In addition, a set of human development indices are updated and published in the Rort.

The HDRO team works on research, analysis, data and statistics though commissioned background papers, think pieces, conducts consultations with internal (UNDP units) and external partners, and engages in outreach and advocacy work. Under the guidance of the HDRO Research & Strategic Partnerships Advisor the Research Specialist works on accomplishing the relevant work plans to produce the Global HDRs and other knowledge products produced by HDRO.

Scope of Work

Responsibilities

The Research Specialist will work on advancing a research stream on socio-ecological interconnections, focusing on linkages between human development, human security, and our planetary systems. The scope of work includes leading the development of a multidimensional measurement framework for human development, human security, and the environment. In particular, the research specialist will be responsible for:

• Undertaking background research
• Drafting research papers as well as contributions to the Global Human Development Report and other specialized products,
• Developing metrics for understanding environmental shocks and their effect on people, and conducting empirical analysis of human development, human security and environmental interconnections.
• Organizing consultations on the topics, liaising with leading academics in this field
• Visualizing and disseminating research findings.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

Within the overall vision and the structure of HDRO, the Research Specialist, under the guidance and supervision of members from the Research Team or Statistics Team, will provide analytical, substantive and research contributions to the work of HDRO. Such contributions would encompass contributions to the intellectual thinking of human development and human security issues and paradigm; to the substantive work of the HDRs and other specialized knowledge products; to the work on human development and human security measurements; and to the overall work of HDRO.

Competencies

Core

Core

Achieve Results

LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively

LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously

LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility

LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner

LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area Name Definition

Business Development Knowledge generation Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need

Business Development Human-Centered design Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process

Business Management Communications

Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.

Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Business Management Working with Evidence and Data Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making

2030 Agenda: Prosperity Inclusive Growth Poverty and Human Development

2030 Agenda: Prosperity Inclusive Growth Multidimensional Poverty and Human Development

Business Direction & Strategy System Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Minimum Qualifications Of The Successful IPSA

Min. Academic Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Economics, Development and the Environment, Social Sciences or Statistics is required. OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination of 2 additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.
• A PhD is strongly preferred.

Min. Years Of Relevant Work Experience

• Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant working or academic working experience in conducting frontier research on socio-ecological linkages human development, human security and our planetary systems is required..

Required Skills

Required skills and competencies

• Experience of working in a knowledge-intensive and research-based team, with experience of both leading individual research as well as contributing and working in teams to advance research projects is required.

Skills

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Proven experience in strong quantitative analysis competencies and experience in quantitative data analysis using a wide variety of statistical software or open-source programming tools for quantitative geospatial analysis (including Python, R, Stata, Q-GIS).
• Demonstrated experience in producing high-quality academic papers as well as policy papers and reports, as well as shorter memos and notes
• Demonstrated experience of having profound understanding of substantive issues related to the study of social, economic and human development and its linkages with environmental and sustainability issues.
• Experience and good understanding of the human development and capabilities approach.
• Proven experience of strong motivation to contribute to the advancement of human development research and policy frontiers.
• Record of publications in the field is a strong asset.
• Relevant academic working experience of researching, developing, and analyzing metrics for understanding environmental shocks and their effect on people.
• Experience in human development paradigm and its policy implications.
• Experience in organizing academic seminars, consultations, workshops, and meetings to advance research work and disseminate research findings.
• Experience communicating academic and technical content to diverse audiences

Required

Required Language(s) (at working level)

• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another UN language is desired.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant Information About UNDP Rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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