Research Officer, NOA (FT/Malaysian Only), Putrajaya (Malaysia)

Position: Research Officer Grade: NOB Contractual Arrangement: Fixed-Term Appointment Primary Location : Malaysia-Kuala Lumpur/Putrajaya Reporting to : PME Specialist

Purpose for the job

Under the close supervision of the Planning Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist coordinates documentation, knowledge management and programme development, research for policy influencing, advocacy and public awareness of the work of the country programme. Conducts data and information collection and analysis to fill information and knowledge gaps and to strengthen capacity for advocacy for children's rights, and to support the implementation of the Convention of the Rights of the Child and Sustainable Development Agenda 2030.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Social policy dialogue and programme development

Provides professional documentation and research assistance in UNICEF's engagement in social policy dialogue, child protection and programme development with the Government and maintains constructive dialogue and partnerships between international and local stakeholders, on issues related to children's agenda in the area of social, political and economic outlook of the country.

Monitoring state budget resources

Monitors and updates current information on state budgeting and spending patterns for social programmes and decentralization status of social services on an on-going basis to support advocacy for greater public resources and budget allocation for social development, the prioritization of resource allocation for children, and universal coverage of essential services for children, to ensure that they reflect the best interest of children.

Data collection, analysis and results-based approach

Collects systematically qualitative data for the sound and up-to-date assessment of the situation of children and women to provide the base-lines for result-based decisions on interventions and evaluations.  Provides technical support for the development of information systems for monitoring child rights indicators, with emphasis on community and child participation.

Advocacy and communication

Promotes and raises awareness on children's rights with both the general public and with corporate sector and policy makers, and contributes to effective information dissemination, mass media campaign, special events, and other means, to ensure local buy-in, commitment, and continued relevance of UNICEF programming.

Partnerships

Contributes to the establishment and enhancement of effective partnerships for research and policy advocacy with the Government, bilateral and multilateral donors, NGOs, civil society, business community, academic and policy research institutions, and other UN agencies to strengthen the information and research on children and child rights and evidence-based policy advocacy at all levels.

Programme and Knowledge Management

Supports and contributes to effective and efficient implementation of Knowledge Management Framework and compliance on all SOPs particularly related to Research. Ensures that programme knowledge management and development enhances policy dialogue, planning, supervision, technical advice, management, training, research and support; and that the monitoring and evaluation component strengthens monitoring and evaluation of the social sectors and provides support to sectorial and decentralized information systems.  

Information and documentation

Provides leadership and technical support for information management and documentation, research of various components of the country programme in close collaboration with relevant sections/units in the office, in order to ensure that the office has a comprehensive and up-to-date information and documentation system to support programme delivery, M&E and reporting.

Research support to Programme, PFP and Communications

Provides necessary technical advice and support to programme, private fund-raising and partnerships and communications in all matters related to information and knowledge management, documentation and research working with close collaboration with relevant sections and external experts and agencies as necessary. 

COMPETENCIES AND LEVEL OF PROFICIENCY REQUIRED

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication (II)
• Working with People (I)
• Drive for Results (I)

Functional Competencies:

• Formulating Strategies and Concepts (I)
• Relating and Networking (I)
• Persuading and Influencing (I)
• Applying Technical Expertise (II) 
• Learning and Researching (II) 
• Planning and Organizing (II)

Recruitment Qualifications

• University Degree - preferably advanced degree or equivalent background in Social Sciences, Public Policy, Economics, International Relations, Information and Knowledge management or related disciplines.
• At least 3 years of professional working experience - preferably with a regional or international organization or agency. Field experience an asset.
• Fluency in local and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

REMUNERATION

• The remuneration for the above position may be access through UN Salaries Website as follows: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salaries/malaysia.htm (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and other benefits including 30 days of annual leave, mobile allowance, and dependency allowances for dependent family members. 
• Pension – staff members with six or more months of contract duration will be participants of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund.     The pensionable remuneration, will be subject to a 7.9% deduction as a staff’s contribution.  The Organization pays a contribution equivalent to 15.8%  of  a staff’s  pensionable remuneration to the fund on his behalf.  On separation with less than five years of service, the staff’s contribution will be refunded with interest.  Website: www.unjspf.org

Applications

• All eligible Malaysians are encouraged to apply.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• UNICEF is committed to workforce diversity and encourages all qualified male and female applicants to apply within its workforce and from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.