Research Associate

The Research Associate will support the Panel by carrying out the following:

• Substantive support to key research activities, including:
• Literature review and analysis of existing documents and case studies related to the normative and operational mandate of UN-Habitat, its governance structure, work and financial capability;
• Evidence-based review and comparative analysis of the structure, management, human and financial resources of UN-Habitat with other UN agencies/programmes;
• Collection of relevant cases and examples conducive to the normative and operational mandate of UN-Habitat, its governance structure, work and financial capability;
• Draft an annotated outline based on initial research of other similar processes and the literature review of the High-Level panel report;
• Review and refine the annotated outline according to inputs emerging from the workshops and consultations;

• Liaison between the Panel members and the Executive Office of the Secretary General, if needed, to ensure effective planning and implementation of the work plan for the Panel
• Support to the Panel for the PGA High Level meeting, including liaising with UN partners, stakeholders and supporting Panel engagement with the Office of the PGA.

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in administration, finances, organizational management, urban planning, sociology, international relations, or a related field.  A first-level university degree in combination with 2 years of  experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Work Experience  Experience in events management, coordination/liaising, knowledge management, public relations, programme management and capacity development at the international level,  drafting reports,  preferably for the United Nations system. Background experience related to urban issues will be considered an advantage.

Languages  English and French are the official working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.  For this position, the consultant must have excellent written and oral skills in English.

Other Skills

• Strong verbal, written and presentation communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain strong internal and external relationships and to interact positively and professionally with the public in an information service role.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a multicultural environment and under time constraints and to meet deadlines is needed
• Familiarity with United Nations administrative systems such as UMOJA is an asset.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

 ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development.
• Position UNOPS in the Balkan sub-region, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Strengthen the implementation of ECR global and regional programmes, with revitalized partnerships in infrastructure, procurement and project management.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.

Based in the New York, the UNOPS Development Group Cluster supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. For example, within the United Nations Development Programme, the Cluster works with the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support and the Office of South-South Cooperation.

The cluster also supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations in the delivery of project management and implementation services