Environment & Human Development Research Specialist

Background
  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
  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.
 

Office/Unit/Project Description 

The Human Development Report Office (HDRO) is a small multi-disciplinary unit located in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in New York. The mission of the HDRO is to advance human development through the expansion of opportunities, choice, and freedom. The Office works towards this goal by conducting original analysis and research, commissioning top quality background research, and advocating practical policy changes. It works with others to achieve change through writing and research, data analysis and presentation, support to national and regional analysis as well as outreach and advocacy work. 

One of its best-known outputs is the global Human Development Report (HDR), first launched in 1990. These independent Reports are intended to challenge policies and approaches that constrain human development, promote innovative concepts, and advocate practical policy changes. In each Report a different development theme is examined in depth using available data and new analyses relevant to the chosen topic resulting in both an assessment of status as well as a series of policy recommendations for the future. In addition, a set of human development indices are updated and published in the Rort.

The HDRO team works on research, analysis, data and statistics though commissioned background papers, think pieces, conducts consultations with internal (UNDP units) and external partners, and engages in outreach and advocacy work. Under the guidance of the HDRO Research & Strategic Partnerships Advisor the Research Specialist works on accomplishing the relevant work plans to produce the Global HDRs and other knowledge products produced by HDRO. 

Scope of Work 

The Research Specialist will work on advancing a research stream on socio-ecological interconnections, focusing on linkages between human development, human security, and our planetary systems. The scope of work includes leading the development of a multidimensional measurement framework for human development, human security, and the environment. In particular, the research specialist will be responsible for:

• Undertaking background research
• Drafting research papers as well as contributions to the Global Human Development Report and other specialized products, 
• Developing metrics for understanding environmental shocks and their effect on people, and conducting empirical analysis of human development, human security and environmental interconnections. 
• Organizing consultations on the topics, liaising with leading academics in this field
• Visualizing and disseminating research findings. 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

Within the overall vision and the structure of HDRO, the Research Specialist, under the guidance and supervision of members from the Research Team or Statistics Team, will provide analytical, substantive and research contributions to the work of HDRO. Such contributions would encompass contributions to the intellectual thinking of human development and human security issues and paradigm; to the substantive work of the HDRs and other specialized knowledge products; to the work on human development and human security measurements; and to the overall work of HDRO.

Competencies

Core      

Core  

Achieve Results: 

 

LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 

Think Innovatively: 

 

LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 

Learn Continuously 

 

LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility  

 

LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands