Job Advertisement

Position Title: Research Assistant
Location: Geneva
Country: Switzerland
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Trading Systems, Services and Creative Economy Branch of the Division on International Trade and Commodities at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). UNCTAD was established in 1964 and is dedicated to promoting the integration of developing countries into the world economy. The organization focuses on trade, investment, and Sustainable development, and operates in over 190 countries with a mission to support developing nations in achieving their economic goals and improving their trade capacities.

Job Overview:
The Research Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting the work of the Trading Systems, Services and Creative Economy Branch. This position involves a variety of research and analytical tasks aimed at enhancing the understanding of trade and Economic Development issues. The Research Assistant will be responsible for collecting and analyzing data, preparing reports, and contributing to policy discussions. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying relevant information and synthesizing it into actionable insights. The successful candidate will work closely with the Head of the Branch and other team members to ensure that the branch's objectives are met effectively and efficiently. This position is ideal for someone with a strong background in research methodologies and data Analysis, who is eager to contribute to the UN's mission of fostering sustainable development through trade.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Research Assistant will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to: assisting in the identification and monitoring of substantive aspects of the branch's work; selecting and evaluating documents; summarizing pertinent materials; collecting and analyzing data and statistics; preparing background materials for assessment papers, studies, briefs, and reports; retrieving and compiling information from various sources; maintaining and updating electronic and paper files; designing and generating reports and statistical tables; drafting program/project summaries; coordinating the review and clearance process for reports; identifying organizational requirements for conferences and meetings; attending meetings to take notes and prepare summary reports; providing guidance and training to new or junior staff; and performing other related work as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Additionally, training in trade statistics or Data Analytics is desirable. The ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of research methodologies and Data Collection techniques, as well as the ability to analyze and format data from various sources. Professionalism, effective communication skills, and technological awareness are essential for success in this role.

Educational Background:
A high school diploma or equivalent is required for this position. Candidates with a first-level university degree or higher may have their minimum years of relevant experience reduced from seven to five years, which indicates that higher education is valued and can lead to a more competitive application.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of experience in collecting and researching data across various areas of social and economic development or a related field. However, candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher may qualify with only five years of relevant experience. Experience in analyzing trade data and statistics as inputs to assessment papers, studies, briefs, and reports is also desirable, highlighting the importance of practical experience in the field.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this position, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another official United Nations language, such as French, is considered desirable, which reflects the multilingual nature of the UN and the importance of effective communication in a diverse environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is subject to local recruitment, meaning that applicants must be authorized to work for the United Nations in Geneva. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station will be responsible for their relocation expenses. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits that are exclusive to international recruitment. The United Nations emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its workforce and is committed to creating a respectful environment for all employees. The recruitment process will adhere to the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, ensuring that all candidates are evaluated fairly based on their qualifications and the organization's needs.