Research Specialist - Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme builds on the Government of Bangladesh’s efforts to introduce a citizen-centric culture of innovation in civil service to improve service delivery and make services more inclusive, affordable, reliable and easier to access. This project will provide support to establish institutional mechanisms and improve accountability to accelerate SDG achievements in Bangladesh.
This project will have three components:
1. Institutionalizing Public Service Innovation and Improving Accountability
2. Catalysing Digital Financial Services and Fintech Innovations
3. Incubating Private Sector-enabled Public Service Innovation
 
The ‘Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme’ is looking to recruit a Research Specialist who will be responsible to lead the Research team of a2i and provide insights for the projects betterment. The incumbent will be responsible to develop Research Map, coordination of the internal and external research, impact evaluations, and assessment. The incumbent will also lead in documentation process and dissemination of knowledge products nationally and internationally.
The project is funded by the Government of Bangladesh, UNDP and other development partners, and is implemented by ICT Division and Cabinet Division.
 

Under the direct supervision of Programme Advisor the incumbent will perform below mentioned activities.

1. Lead to develop Research Map considering the needs and demand from internal teams of a2i
2. Provide advisory support in the coordination of the researches externally
3. Lead the impact evaluations of the different initiatives of the project
4. Lead in documentation and ensure the generation of knowledge products from the research insights relate to citizens
5. Dissemination of knowledge and lessons learned and collaborate with national and international donor organizations through South South Cooperation

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Lead to develop Research Map considering the needs and demand from internal teams of a2i

• Lead to develop an internal comprehensive research map
• Assess the needs of the team and identify the research areas
• Guide the internal teams for the identification of research topics
• Develop research proposals ensuring clear objectives, methodology and target beneficiaries
• Lead to conduct data collection using advanced data collection tools and techniques
• Supervise on data validation, data cleaning and data analysis
• Ensure data visualization and reporting  
• Collaborate regularly with the internal teams to update the research map according to their demand
   

2. Provide advisory support in the coordination of the researches externally

• Guide the team to identify possible external research areas and develop research proposals to inform project management about programme progress and new intervention design.
• Engage consultants and firms for the studies from external network and beyond.
• Provide advisory support in all external survey work, assessments and evaluations.
• Ensure the development of high-quality report based on the research findings
• Manage the approval of final report, dissemination of findings and recommendations with intended audiences.
   

3. Lead to the impact evaluations of the different initiatives of the project

• Oversee the identification of initiatives of the project for impact evaluations
• Provide advisory support to external consultants engaged in research, baseline, end-line and other evaluative assessments of project activities.
• Coordinate the conduction of impact evaluations by the external parties
• Provide advisory support in finalizing research methodology and the conduction of the evaluations
• Ensure the quality of the reports developed internally and externally
• Guide and draw constructive recommendations for the further improvement of the project activities based on the evaluations
   

4. Lead in documentation and ensure the generation of knowledge products from the research insights relate to citizens  

• Lead the research insights and connect them to citizens
• Guide and ensure proper documentation process
• Lead in report writing, article development, proposals and Concept Note development, etc.
• Lead to publish articles in national and international journals
• Lead to develop the donor reports monthly, quarterly and annual basis following the donor’s demand
• Lead to develop knowledge products such as results brief, policy dialogue, etc. through using research insights
• Guide the team to identify the scope of various knowledge products for national and international audiences.
• Coordinate the sharing of relevant findings with project components and management in appropriate format to ensure the whole organization’s benefits from and applies the learning.
• Ensure effectiveness of knowledge management initiatives and activities through assessment of the initiatives.
• Facilitate learning amongst project components, partners and stakeholders through reviews of progress against benchmarks, collecting lessons learnt and best practices and facilitating dissemination of the same.

5. Dissemination of knowledge and lessons learned and collaborate with national and international donor organizations through South South Cooperation

• Enrich project’s knowledge repository by actively liaising and collaborating with national and international policy, advocacy and knowledge management experts through the Research Network.
• Collaborate with the national and international donors and research organizations for new research areas scope identification
• Collaborate with govt., UN Agencies and other development partners to disseminate the knowledge products and exchange knowledge with them
• Create funding scope with national and international donors and research organizations
• Ensure documentation for research funds and grants application
• Exchange the knowledge products to international audiences through South South Cooperation and identify the scope of publication internationally

Impact of Results:

The results will have an impact on the overall progress of e-Service delivery and service delivery innovation both in the public and private sector.

Corporate Competencies:
 

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism
   

Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning
 

• Shares knowledge and experience
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UNDP
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
   

Development and Operational Effectiveness
 

• Strong writing ability with exceptional communication skills, both written and oral
• Strong computer skills with a knowledge of many desktop applications that will be useful for the position
• Experience in using specialized computer programs for statistical analysis such as SPSS/ STATA
• Prior experience with the SharePoint platform is a plus
• Strong design sensibilities
• Experience with interacting with a range of clients
   

Leadership and Self-Management
 

• Highly organized with a keen eye for detail
• Ability to multi task under tight deadlines
• Ability to think quickly and improvise when necessary
• Creative self-starter with an ability to work independently and also as an integral part of a team to deliver results
• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexity

Education:
Master’s degree in any discipline preferably in Development Studies / Psychology / Sociology / Anthropology / Statistics / Economics / Public Administration or relevant any other discipline.

Experience:
 

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in qualitative and quantitative research conduction
• Overall, 10 years of working experience in Development sector.
• Field level and Managerial Experience in Research is mandatory.
• Previous experience in working with UNDP, Government agencies, donors and Research background will be an added advantage.
• Experience in working on project management is desirable.
• Experience in using database and statistical software (Ms Excel, Ms Access, CSPro, ODK, SPSS/STATA).
   

Language Requirements:
Fluency in written and spoken English and Bangla

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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Note: UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, ethnicity and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and people living with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.