Vacancies
Research Fellow P-3

About UN University

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on the pressing global problems of human survival, conflict prevention, development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 13 countries, UNU’s work spans the full breadth of the 17 SDGs, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe. For more information please visit www.unu.edu.

United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)

UNU-WIDER is a leading international development economics think tank. The Institute provides economic analysis and policy advice with the aim of promoting sustainable and equitable development for all. The Institute began operations in 1985 in Helsinki, Finland, as the first research centre of the United Nations University. Today it is a unique blend of think tank, research institute, and UN agency — providing a range of services from policy advice to governments, as well as original research that is open access. More information on UNU-WIDER’s current work programme, is available on the institute's website.

UNU-WIDER is implementing the programme Inclusive Growth in Mozambique – Scaling-Up Research and Capacity, which is undertaken in partnership with the Development Economics Research Group (DERG) of the University of Copenhagen, the Directorate of Economic and Financial Studies (DEEF) of the Mozambican Ministry of Economics and Finance, and the Centre for Studies in Economics and Management (CEEG) of Eduardo Mondlane University.

The overarching objective of the programme is to support inclusive growth that substantially improves the living standards of the majority of the Mozambican population. This overall objective is pursued through a focused research and capacity-building programme, meant to increase analytical capabilities and inform better policy-making. It sets to achieve this objective through four sets of activities: (i) inquiries, (ii) regular research and policy support, (iii) dissemination and communication, and (iv) training and capacity-building. For more information on UNU-WIDER and its work programme in Mozambique, please visit igmozambique.wider.unu.edu.

UNU-WIDER is looking for an outstanding individual with strong commitment and potential to contribute to the implementation, and monitoring of the Inclusive Growth in Mozambique – Scaling-Up Research and Capacity programme. The position will be based in the office of our partner institution DEEF, which is the Directorate of Economic and Financial Studies, in the Ministry of Economy and Finance in Maputo, Mozambique.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Director, who may delegate this responsibility to other staff, the general responsibilities of the Research Fellow are to:

• Contribute effectively to the Institute’s research and capacity-building programme in Mozambique, and the publication of research outputs, including reports, academic papers and policy briefs.
• Contribute to the management of research projects with external researchers and participants.
• Participate in local and international research, policy and outreach events.
• Assist in preparing and implementing conference, communications and meeting activities vis-à-vis UNU-WIDER’s target audiences with a specific focus on Mozambique.
• Actively engage in research and policy dissemination activities.
• Carry out teaching, training and supervision within the capacity-building programme of the Institute, including guidance of local staff, junior researchers and PhD students.
• Draft research and management reports.
• Prepare presentations and speeches for specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Director or staff who have been delegated this duty.

Under the overall supervision of the Director, or other staff assigned to assume this function, a specific and core responsibility of the Research Fellow is to contribute effectively to the Inclusive Growth in Mozambique – Scaling-Up Research and Capacity programme’s joint portfolio of work on Mozambican household surveys, which includes in particular undertaking and producing regular official analyses of consumption and multidimensional poverty.  Within this domain, and working closely with local and other programme staff, the Research Fellow will:

• Liaise closely with the national statistics institute to support the design, piloting and validation of household survey instruments.
• Undertake data-cleaning and validation both during data collection and on receipt of the final data (e.g., to produce a valid metric of aggregate household consumption).
• Implement a cost of basic needs poverty analysis, in accordance with methods used in previous official analyses.
• Contribute to the writing and dissemination of the official national poverty report.
• Produce academic papers based on Mozambican household survey and other data.
• Train local counterparts in use of poverty analysis tools and related methods.

Required qualifications and experience

• PhD in economics, development economics, political science, or a related social science field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively relevant professional work experience, including the management of research and training programmes.
• Demonstrated ability to carry out and contribute effectively to development research activities in an international environment, particularly in resource-constrained settings.
• A proven track record of academic and policy publications, including the analysis of data on poverty and inequality.
• Good knowledge of the international research and policy agenda in areas related to the Institute’s general research programme as well as in Mozambique.
• A proven track record of providing training, teaching and research supervision.
• Excellent communication and drafting skills, with fluency in both oral and written English and Portuguese or Spanish. Knowledge of other official UN languages would be an asset.
• Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Remuneration

We offer a competitive net salary (tax-exempted) at P-3 level and allowances including post adjustment. Post adjustment is subject to change.

The post carries the standard set of United Nations benefits and entitlements for international positions in the UN Common Systems, including participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, the possibility of participation in a health insurance programme, education grant, removal expenses and home leave. For more information, please visit http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm.

The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised.

Duration of contract

This is a full-time fixed-term appointment. The initial appointment will be for a period of one (1) year with the possibility of renewal on a fixed-term appointment basis, subject to satisfactory work performance, with the combined duration of fixed-term appointments not exceeding six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for United Nations staff is 65 years.

Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Rector and may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University.

Starting date: As soon as possible.

Application procedure

Interested applicants should submit their applications online using the 'Apply here' link on the left side column and must upload the following:

• a cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position
• a completed and signed UNU Personal History (P.11) downloadable from UNU website; please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations A list of publications;
• a list of publications
• an up-to-date CV
• a copy of highest educational degree obtained.

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8).