Junior Research Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization within the United Nations System. Established to engage in policy-relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination, UNU aims to address pressing global issues that concern the United Nations and its Member States. Over the past fifty years, UNU has become a reputable source of impartial research focusing on sustainability, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">human security, and economic development. With hundreds of researchers operating across 12 countries, UNU's expertise encompasses the full spectrum of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating knowledge that informs policy and drives positive global change. The organization collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions worldwide, ensuring that its work is impactful and relevant to current global challenges. For more information, visit http://unu.edu.

Job Overview:
UNU-EGOV is seeking to recruit two Junior Research Consultants to support a dynamic portfolio of work at the intersection of digital transformation and public sector innovation and performance. This role is designed for motivated early-career professionals who are eager to contribute to meaningful work with governments and public institutions while developing strong applied skills in advisory, policy, and research environments. The successful candidates will engage in a variety of tasks, including consultancy and advisory assignments, applied research, project delivery, event organization, communications, and analytical outputs. The position is ideal for individuals who thrive in a busy, flexible environment and are looking for opportunities to grow their responsibilities over time. Strong performers will have the chance to take on more substantive projects and advisory tasks, making this a unique opportunity for those looking to build a diverse skill set in a casual, international, and multi-cultural work setting.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Junior Research Consultant will be responsible for supporting consultancy, advisory, and project activities related to digital transformation, digital governance, and public sector reform. Key responsibilities include conducting desk research, literature reviews, and evidence gathering; collecting, organizing, and analyzing information from various sources; supporting interviews, stakeholder engagement, and case study development; assisting with the drafting of project proposals, reports, presentations, and other client-facing deliverables; contributing to the drafting, editing, proofreading, and quality assurance of written outputs in English; supporting project monitoring, communications, and relationship management with partners and stakeholders; helping organize conferences, seminars, workshops, expert meetings, focus groups, and capacity-building activities; assisting with the preparation of good practice cases, policy papers, and other analytical outputs; supporting data entry, document quality control, and the maintenance of databases; and performing other related duties as assigned by the supervisor. The role requires timely and quality development and implementation of assigned responsibilities, as well as effective engagement with UNU-EGOV partners, including research partners, governments, donors, and civil society.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a master’s degree in public policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Governance, Digital Governance, Development Studies, Law, Economics, Information Systems, ICT, or another relevant field. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate a background, academic focus, or professional interest in the digital transformation of the public sector at various levels of government. Excellent English skills in reading, writing, and speaking are essential, along with strong analytical, organizational, and drafting skills. The ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a flexible and proactive manner is crucial, as is a willingness to contribute to both consultancy/advisory and research work. Attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality outputs are also required. A PhD and/or 1-2 years of relevant professional experience would be considered advantageous, as would exposure to government, international organizations, public policy, digital government, digital public infrastructure, and public sector innovation.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a master’s degree in a relevant field such as public policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Governance, Digital Governance, Development Studies, Law, Economics, Information Systems, or ICT. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of digital transformation and public sector reform, as well as for engaging effectively in research and advisory roles.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a demonstrated background in the digital transformation of the public sector, with a preference for those who have 1-2 years of relevant professional experience. This experience may include supporting reports, research projects, policy analysis, events, workshops, or stakeholder engagement processes. Candidates should also show a clear interest in growing into more advanced advisory, analytical, and project support functions over time.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication and documentation. While not required, a working knowledge of Portuguese, Spanish, French, or Arabic would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to a multi-lingual work environment.

Additional Notes:
The successful candidate will be engaged under a Consultant Contract (CTC) for a period of one year, with the possibility of renewal. This position is full-time, requiring 35 hours of work per week, Monday to Friday, with working hours aligned with the GMT time zone unless otherwise agreed. The consultant is expected to work in person at the duty station in Guimarães, Portugal, for at least three days per week. This contract does not entitle the consultant to paid annual leave or sick leave. Remuneration will be commensurate with experience, ranging from EUR 13,200 to EUR 18,000 per year (before tax). Any taxes, medical, and life insurance related to services resulting from sickness and accident during the stay at UNU-EGOV will be the consultant's responsibility. Travel considerations for mission travel will be covered by UNU, subject to certain prerequisites, including medical and security clearance, and travel costs will be calculated based on economy class travel. The expected start date for this position is immediate.