Research Assistant (Managing Exits from Armed Conflict)

Background

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is a voluntarily funded, autonomous institute within the United Nations. One of the few policy institutes worldwide focusing on disarmament, UNIDIR generates knowledge and promotes dialogue and action on disarmament and security. Based in Geneva, UNIDIR assists the international community to develop the practical, innovative ideas needed to find solutions to critical security problems.

UNIDIR’s Managing Exits from Armed Conflict Project seeks to understand how and why people exit armed groups, disarm, and fully and sustainably transition into civilian life. The project’s work advances UNIDIR’s mandate, particularly with regard to enhancing the international community’s knowledge of micro-disarmament and the interventions that promote it.

The objective of this consultancy is to advance the work of the project, including by contributing to original research and the production of high-quality outputs.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Head of Project, the non-resident consultant shall deliver the following services:

• Conduct background research and contextual analysis on the project’s selected case study countries.
• Draft, format and copy-edit research outputs, including reports, policy briefs and factsheets.
• Contribute to research and policy outputs as required.
• Support the project’s work on youth and climate security.
• Provide support for dissemination activities, including preparation of presentations, communication materials and meeting minutes.
• Support project administration, including travel and event organization and other project assistance as required.
• Support project operations, including survey testing and rollout as required.
• Develop and document research tools, such as codebooks and analytical templates.
• Prepare and deliver presentations of key findings and recommendations.

Schedule for the proposed work

A work plan for the duration of the contract will be established within the first two weeks of the contract. The Research Assistant will have regular communication with the Head of Project in order to set assignments within the work plan and monitor progress. The Research Assistant will proactively inform the Head of Project if there are any issues concerning meeting the agreed deliverables and deadlines.

Performance Indicators

The Research Assistant will be evaluated at the end of the contract. Performance indicators include:

• Deadlines for delivery of agreed outputs are met.
• Outputs are provided in the form and quality requested by UNIDIR.
• Key deliverables are addressed to the satisfaction of UNIDIR.
• Professional engagement is cooperative and positive.

The Research Assistant is always to demonstrate the core values of the United Nations: Professionalism, Integrity and Respect for Diversity.

In addition, in this role, the Research Assistant will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Planning and 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.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
• 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, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

A first-level university degree in a related field is required.

Experience

• A minimum of one (1) year of relevant professional experience is required.
• An academic background in a related field, such as disarmament, peacebuilding, youth engagement, or climate-security, is required.
• Demonstrated experience organizing or supporting community-based initiatives is desirable.
• Proven ability to conduct research, analysis, or draft reports related to the project’s thematic areas is desirable.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including youth networks, civil society organizations and public institutions, is an asset.
• Knowledge of gender issues in a field relevant to the position is desirable.

Languages

For this assignment, fluency in English is required.

Travel

No travel is anticipated as part of this assignment.

Copyright

All outputs will be edited, fact-, and language-checked by UNIDIR. UNIDIR retains copyright of all documents, as well as ownership of the intellectual property resulting from work carried out under this assignment. The Research Assistant warrants that all written outputs are original works or that where they incorporate copyrighted material from another source, this information is cited correctly and the necessary permission for its use is obtained. The consultant is to provide UNIDIR with written documentation, where applicable, together with the written outputs.