Project And Research Analyst

Background

The Knowledge Project is a joint initiative between UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) established in 2008 and aimed at producing high-quality knowledge products and promoting knowledge sharing and dialogue.

2021 marked the beginning of a new phase of the Knowledge Project where main activities consisted of revising the Global Knowledge Index, revamping the knowledge4all portal and mobile application, producing the third and last edition of the Future of Knowledge Foresight Report series, and organizing Knowtalks. Among the 2023’s main activities, the Knowledge Project team will start the pilot implementation of its newly launched Regional Skills Initiative. The latter aims at strengthening the transmission mechanism between skills development and poverty reduction by equipping talents in the region with core employability and soft skills, foundational digital skills and technical skills to increase their likelihoods in finding and retaining jobs.

The initial phase of this initiative; i.e. the pilot phase, targets around 5,500 Arab learners from eight Arab countries and is expected to last 16 months, starting in January 2023. This phase consists of conducting workshops to bring together public sector, private sector, and educational institutions representatives in each of the targeted countries to discuss and update the skills gap analysis to tailor the offer to the priorities and challenges. Moreover, the project will start by pinning down the skills gap and planning for the future skills of the targeted groups and translate the identified needs of employers into skills that can be acquired through the proposed curricula. Applying thorough pre-selection and selection surveys, the learning content will be tailored to support the development of the right skills for the right people.

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Adviser and Project Manager, the Project and Research Analyst will be responsible to effectively manage and coordinate project activities of the Regional Skills Initiative. S/he will also provide expertise and implementation support on capacity building and resource mobilization and partnerships. The Project and Research Analyst will also facilitate and support the work with UNDP’s country offices, private and public sectors, educational institutions and entrepreneurs.

The Project and Research Analyst will lead the implementation and development of the skills initiative, under the direct supervision and guidance of the Chief Technical Adviser. He/She will assume the following responsibilities and duties: