Quantitative Researcher on Governance and Public Administration

Job Posting Organization:
The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is a regional commission established by the United Nations to support economic and social development in its 22 Arab member states. ESCWA aims to promote inclusive and sustainable development by providing a platform for policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, and consensus-building. The organization focuses on various areas including governance, social development, and economic reform, and works to strengthen governance institutions across the Arab region. ESCWA has been instrumental in developing tools such as the Public Administration Index (PAI) to assess and improve public administration systems.

Job Overview:
The position of Quantitative Researcher on Governance and Public Administration involves providing statistical support to the ESCWA project, particularly in relation to the Public Administration Index (PAI). The contractor will be responsible for ensuring that the statistical work meets ESCWA's standards for accuracy and relevance. This role includes data processing, validation, and the preparation of knowledge products that will contribute to the understanding of governance and public administration in the Arab region. The contractor will work closely with the chief of section and project manager to deliver high-quality outputs that support national efforts in public sector reform and regional governance dialogue.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Quantitative Researcher include:

• Data Processing and Indicator Management: Validate and clean datasets used in the Public Administration Index, update and maintain indicator databases, and ensure data consistency and accuracy across countries and timeframes.
• Research and Statistical Analysis: Conduct quantitative analysis of PAI data to identify trends and patterns, apply advanced quantitative techniques, and contribute to the interpretation of statistical findings for policy recommendations.
• Knowledge Product Development: Assist in producing data and quantitative aspects for policy briefs and regional reports related to the PAI.
• Coordination and Support: Work collaboratively with team members to ensure coherence and accuracy of outputs, and perform additional tasks as requested by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a first-level university degree in statistics, economics, public policy, business analytics, or a related field. An advanced degree is desirable. Additionally, candidates must have a minimum of one year of relevant experience in data analysis, statistics, or governance-related quantitative research. Familiarity with indices or governance monitoring tools is a plus, as is experience with data visualization tools and statistical packages.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a first-level university degree in a relevant field such as statistics, economics, public policy, or business analytics. An advanced degree is considered an asset. Candidates must submit a copy of their educational degree as part of the application process, and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Experience:
The position requires at least one year of relevant experience in data analysis, statistics, or governance-related quantitative research. Experience with indices or governance monitoring tools is desirable, indicating that candidates should have a solid understanding of how to analyze and interpret data in the context of governance.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is required for this position, as these are the working languages of ESCWA. Knowledge of French is considered desirable. Fluency is defined as being rated 'fluent' in all four areas: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding, while knowledge of a language means being rated 'confident' in at least two of these areas.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for a duration of three months. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization also does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.