Research Assistant

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Research Assistant
Location: New York
Country: United States
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Americas Division (AD) of the shared regional pillar of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and Peace Operations (DPO). The AD is responsible for delivering strategic priorities concerning various countries and regional organizations. The division is structured into three sub-regional teams and two field-mission backstopping teams, overseen by the Division's Director and Deputy Director. The organization aims to promote peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security in the Americas through effective political and peacebuilding strategies.

Job Overview:
The Research Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting the Central America Team by assisting in the identification and monitoring of substantive aspects of the Division's work. This includes monitoring media outlets, summarizing relevant materials, collecting and analyzing data, and preparing background materials for various reports and assessments. The role requires systematic follow-through on information retrieval from diverse sources, maintaining country profiles, and preparing reports and presentations to facilitate in-depth analysis. The Research Assistant will also participate in policy discussions, maintain contacts with other departments and organizations, and assist in managing recruitment processes. The position demands a proactive approach to data analysis and the ability to contribute to discussions on substantive issues.

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

• Assisting in identifying and monitoring substantive aspects of the Division's work.
• Monitoring relevant media outlets and distributing pertinent news and documents.
• Summarizing materials and preparing background documents for assessments and reports.
• Collecting and analyzing data to identify patterns.
• Designing and maintaining country profiles for assigned countries.
• Preparing reports, presentations, and data sets to facilitate analysis.
• Participating in substantive discussions and maintaining contacts with other departments and organizations.
• Preparing and updating files and internal databases.
• Drafting project summaries and coordinating the review process. 1
• Assisting in recruitment processes and providing guidance to junior staff. 1
• Identifying organizational requirements for meetings and preparing documentation. 1
• Performing other support tasks as required, including travel and office supplies management.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. A minimum of seven years of experience in data collection and research in social and economic development or related areas is required. For candidates with a first-level university degree or higher, the minimum experience requirement is reduced to five years. Experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of research methodologies and data maintenance, as well as the ability to analyze and format data from various sources.

Educational Background:
A high school diploma or equivalent is required for this position. A first-level university degree or higher is preferred and can reduce the required years of experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in data collection and research. This requirement is reduced to five years for candidates with a first-level university degree or higher. Additionally, at least one year of experience in data analytics or a related area is desirable, indicating that candidates should have a solid background in research and data analysis.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this position, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of Spanish is considered desirable, which would enhance communication and collaboration within the region.

Additional Notes:
This position is subject to local recruitment, meaning that candidates must be recruited within the country or commuting distance of the office. Staff members are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers. The United Nations emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its recruitment process, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request.