Research Support Officer

In 2017, UNDP Bangladesh is focused on building collaborative partnership with private sector organizations. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Officer, the UNV Volunteer will assist in coordination and implementation of financial literacy training programme as part of a Financial Inclusion project in partnership with Bank Asia. The project seeks to develop a new model to digitally facilitate social safety-net payments, thereby increasing financial inclusion. This new model will feature a new Payment Gateway Product (Mobile App) which will enable willing and capable entrepreneurs (shopkeepers, volunteers, etc.) to offer a set of financial services Entrepreneurs will become “Rural financial services” with their Bank Account and phone. Any mobile banking customers of Bank Asia will be able to access these Rural financial services, thereby expanding financial access points to any area of Bangladesh with 3G coverage.

The aim of the project is to enhance access to financial services but also to raise the level of financial literacy to further facilitate inclusion. The UNV Volunteer will assist in developing the framework of financial inclusion model and study the impact of the project. With the progression of the project the UNV Volunteer will monitor and evaluate the suitability of Payment Gateway and collaborate with Programme Officer to improve the efficacy of the project. As part of the project implementation, the UNV Volunteer will be assigned to secure partnerships with external development and governmental organisations as well as with projects under the UN umbrella and any other entities in private and public sector relevant to the project. The Research Specialist may supervise/will be part of a team comprised of UNDP, UNV and Bank Asia Staff along with international and national consultants and volunteers.

The UNV Volunteer will work in the framework of the UNDP’s programmes and projects and will work closely with the Programme Officer to ensure that training and other outputs are developed in an approach that is appropriate for the national context in Bangladesh.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, the National UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Conduct brainstorming meetings and both in-house and external discussions;
• Conduct an in-depth policy analysis to clarify what services “Rural financial services” can legally offer;
• Conduct domestic and international benchmarking to identify global best-practices for digital financial G2P transfers and the specific niche in which this service could operate;
• Review the Bank Asia Payment Gateway Software product, and suggest modifica-tions to ensure product is suitable for proposed beneficiaries;
• Formulate of the theme and structure of the research plan;
• Develop the conceptual and practical organization of the data collection;
• Identify and liaise with relevant researchers and institutions and receive from them comment, advise, and information;
• Prepare and publish quarterly progress reports, highlighting lessons-learned for future phases of the project;
• Synthesis results of research study into a Final Report with a focus on lessons learned for nation-wide scale up;
• Conduct a baseline survey of current level of knowledge, attitude towards digitization of financial services, and behaviours of potential recipients;
• Based on the abovementioned two documents, create a Work Plan which outlines the strategy with which to fill the gaps in the existing system;
• Create a timeline for project implementation and projected outcome of the project;
• Finalise the document through editing, circulating it for feedback and revising;
• Monitor and keep record of the writing process;
• Develop papers ready for submission to professional conferences, meetings with partner organisations, and project management team;
• Identify focal points within governmental and development organisations with whom the Research Specialist will establish direct communication with for collaboration and discussion;
•  Identify community partners including but not limited to community based organisations, civil society networks, and small business associations for assistance;
• Identify convergence of interest with related UN projects and pursue collaboration for mutual benefits;
• Maintain a network of abovementioned for timely provision of advice and resources.

Core Competencies:

Professionalism: Has proven research skills, including the ability to formulate research questions, identify appropriate methodologies for data analysis, evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources using standard methodologies and analytical techniques and assess reliability of data sources. Is familiar with the use of qualitative and quantitative evidence, is able to draw conclusions based on available evidence and assess policy implications of research findings. Is able to propose innovative research solutions and methods and formulate new strategies and methodological approaches to identify emerging trends. shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Functional Competencies:

• Thoroughly and methodically collects, verifies and records data demonstrating attention to detail and identifying and correcting errors on own initiative;
• Transmits file data; creates and generate queries, reports and documents utilizing databases, spreadsheets, communications and other software packages with speed and accuracy;
• Managing documents, correspondence and reports;
• Creates, edits and presents information (queries, reports, documents) in visually pleasing, clear and presentable formats such as tables, forms, presentations, briefing notes/books and reports using advanced word processing and presentation functions and basic database and spreadsheet software;
• Edits, formats and provides inputs to correspondence, reports, documents and/or presentations using work processing, spreadsheets and databases meeting quality standards and requiring minimal correction;
• Ensures correspondence, reports and documents comply with established UN standards;
• Ability to produce accurate and well documented records conforming to the required standard

Education:

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Economy, Communications, Political Sciences or related field.
• An additional three year relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the higher university degree.

Required Experience:

• A minimum 3 year professional experience in research; collection and analysis of data;
• Experiences in the use of database managemnet;
• Working with rural or underprivileged sector of community is valued;
• Expert in Systhesis results of research study into final progress report.

Language Skills:

Fluent in both English and Bengali.

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.

United Nations Volunteers reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this opening for other openings with United Nations Volunteers with similar assignment description, experience and educational requirements.