Research Assistant

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Position Title: Research Assistant
Location: Beirut
Country: Lebanon
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Economic Commission for Western Asia (ECWA) was established on 9 August 1973, following the Economic and Social Council’s resolution 1818 (LV). The mission of ECWA is to stimulate economic activity in member countries, strengthen cooperation among them, and promote development. The organization aims to support economic and social development in member countries, encourage interaction and cooperation, facilitate the exchange of experiences and best practices, achieve regional integration, and raise global awareness of the circumstances and needs of its member countries. ECWA provides a framework for the formulation and harmonization of sectoral policies, serves as a platform for congress and coordination, and acts as a repository for expertise and knowledge. Its activities are coordinated with various divisions and main offices of the United Nations, specialized agencies, and international and regional organizations, including the League of Arab States and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Job Overview:
The Research Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting the development of the ISPAR analytical tools and platform. This position involves identifying the necessary methodologies used by selected international indicators, extracting relevant data, and preparing databases according to programming requirements. The Research Assistant will collaborate with the team to develop analytical tools utilizing AI and ML techniques, focusing on optimizing policy packages and forecasting macroeconomic indicators. The role requires a blend of technical skills in data management and analytical capabilities to contribute to evidence-based policy simulation and design.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Research Assistant will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Providing general office support services to ensure the smooth functioning of the organizational unit.
• Utilizing standard word processing software to produce routine correspondence, reports, tables, charts, and graphs in accordance with institutional standards.
• Proofreading written products for completeness and grammatical accuracy.
• Maintaining calendars and schedules, monitoring changes, and communicating relevant information to appropriate staff.
• Reviewing, recording, routing, and processing mail or other documents, gathering pertinent background material, and tracking follow-up actions.
• Identifying methodologies for selected international indices, collecting historical and recent data, and compiling this data in Excel sheets.
• Acquiring data from primary or secondary sources, filtering and cleaning data, and resolving inconsistencies.
• Developing and implementing databases and data collection systems that optimize statistical efficiency and quality.
• Interpreting data, analyzing results using statistical techniques, and providing reports with ongoing monitoring and refinement. 1
• Collecting information on policies and best practices for individual indicators and preparing a library of policies based on desk reviews for the ISPAR platform. 1
• Carrying out ad hoc assignments as requested by supervisors.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong analytical skills, proficiency in data management and statistical analysis, and familiarity with AI and ML techniques. Additionally, candidates should have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to work collaboratively within a team. Proficiency in using standard office software and data analysis tools is essential. A strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively are also required.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in economics, statistics, data science, or a related field is required. Advanced degrees or certifications in relevant areas will be considered an asset.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 1-2 years of experience in data analysis, research, or a related field. Experience working with international organizations or in a similar context will be advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, while knowledge of Arabic or French is considered a plus. Proficiency in additional languages may enhance a candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
This position may be full-time or part-time, depending on the needs of the organization. The contract duration and seniority level will be discussed during the interview process. The organization is open to recruiting nationally or internationally, and compensation and benefits will be aligned with the organization's policies.