Junior Research Assistant
Suva
- Organization: UNV - United Nations Volunteers
- Location: Suva
- Grade: International UN University Volunteer
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Occupational Groups:
- Administrative support
- Scientist and Researcher
- Closing Date: Closed
Details
Mission and objectives
The ESCAP Subregional Office for the Pacific - formerly known as ESCAP Pacific Operations Centre (EPOC) - was established in 1984 in Port Vila by combining the Pacific Liaison Office's operations based in Nauru and the United Nations Development Advisory Team based in Fiji. The office was relocated to Suva in 2005 to enable more effective collaboration with regional partners.
The Office’s guiding mission is to support Pacific island developing countries in their efforts to attain the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and implement the Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action (S.A.M.O.A. Pathway).
The ESCAP Subregional Office for the Pacific covers Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, as well as American Samoa, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Guam, New Caledonia, Niue and the Northern Mariana Islands as associate members.
Priority concerns of Pacific countries are brought to the Commission's attention through The Special Body on Least Developed, Landlocked Developing and Pacific Island Developing Countries. Issues considered at recent Special Body sessions include employment, sustainable development, urban management and tourism.
It focuses on the following priority areas, as mandated by the ESCAP Commission:
National Planning and Policy Coherence
2030 Agenda and SAMOA Pathway
Social Inclusion and Equality
Climate Action and Resources Management
Data and Statistics
The Office’s guiding mission is to support Pacific island developing countries in their efforts to attain the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and implement the Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action (S.A.M.O.A. Pathway).
The ESCAP Subregional Office for the Pacific covers Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, as well as American Samoa, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Guam, New Caledonia, Niue and the Northern Mariana Islands as associate members.
Priority concerns of Pacific countries are brought to the Commission's attention through The Special Body on Least Developed, Landlocked Developing and Pacific Island Developing Countries. Issues considered at recent Special Body sessions include employment, sustainable development, urban management and tourism.
It focuses on the following priority areas, as mandated by the ESCAP Commission:
National Planning and Policy Coherence
2030 Agenda and SAMOA Pathway
Social Inclusion and Equality
Climate Action and Resources Management
Data and Statistics
Context
Conduct economic research and macroeconomic analysis on selected topics linked to economic growth and development by analysing determinants of economic growth in the Pacific to contribute to ESCAP presentations and publications. The UN Volunteer will assist the team in examining and analysing both quantitative and qualitative data, focusing on areas linked to macroeconomic variables associated with monetary policy and fiscal policy (as well as other interlinked areas of economics and development) and provide inputs to public policy strategies. The responsibilities will encompass, but are not restricted to: conducting searches, compiling and analysing both qualitative and quantitative information with a focus on macroeconomic data; analysing macroeconomic data using basic analysis and specialised software.
Assist the subregional office in conducting Expert Group Meetings (EGMs) and/or Forums (such as the Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development) and/or side events to meetings/events by providing inputs to the drafting and finalization of concept notes, agendas, documentation (including presentations), reports, and briefing notes; and provide support in liaising with stakeholders/partners. Additionally, the UN Volunteer would support communications and outreach strategies on the events, as well as other communication activities of the office. Responsibilities will encompass composing briefing notes derived from seminars, lectures, conferences, and published documents, as well as proposing concise messages, flyers, and infographics for social media posts (including the posting of these). Develop compelling advocacy materials, including articles, blog posts, and newsletters, to effectively communicate key messages of activities in the Pacific. Knowledge management — assist in documenting and digitizing institutional knowledge.
Assist in technical assistance and capacity-building activities to member States through project support, helping in fieldwork tasks as well as logistics management during workshops.
Assist in survey development (instruments and data storage options), implementation, and data collection (sharing and follow-up with respondents) on fiscal and monetary policy in the Pacific, and other priority areas of the office.
Contribute to administrative duties, including supporting programming and tracking of the office programmes. Assist in coordinating the formulation of strategies, programmes, and policies.
Perform other duties related to the Assignment.
Assist the subregional office in conducting Expert Group Meetings (EGMs) and/or Forums (such as the Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development) and/or side events to meetings/events by providing inputs to the drafting and finalization of concept notes, agendas, documentation (including presentations), reports, and briefing notes; and provide support in liaising with stakeholders/partners. Additionally, the UN Volunteer would support communications and outreach strategies on the events, as well as other communication activities of the office. Responsibilities will encompass composing briefing notes derived from seminars, lectures, conferences, and published documents, as well as proposing concise messages, flyers, and infographics for social media posts (including the posting of these). Develop compelling advocacy materials, including articles, blog posts, and newsletters, to effectively communicate key messages of activities in the Pacific. Knowledge management — assist in documenting and digitizing institutional knowledge.
Assist in technical assistance and capacity-building activities to member States through project support, helping in fieldwork tasks as well as logistics management during workshops.
Assist in survey development (instruments and data storage options), implementation, and data collection (sharing and follow-up with respondents) on fiscal and monetary policy in the Pacific, and other priority areas of the office.
Contribute to administrative duties, including supporting programming and tracking of the office programmes. Assist in coordinating the formulation of strategies, programmes, and policies.
Perform other duties related to the Assignment.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Head Sub-regional Office in the Pacific, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks (as discussed in detail above):
- Contribute to macroeconomic research and analysis in supporting of the broader thematic areas of ECSAP and the Subregional Office.
- Support in the planning of sub-regional Expert Group Meetings (EGMs).
- Assist in technical assistance and capacity-building activities to member States.
- Support communications and networks, as well as engage with stakeholders/partners on issues related to ESCAP Pacific collaborations.
- Contribute to macroeconomic research and analysis in supporting of the broader thematic areas of ECSAP and the Subregional Office.
- Support in the planning of sub-regional Expert Group Meetings (EGMs).
- Assist in technical assistance and capacity-building activities to member States.
- Support communications and networks, as well as engage with stakeholders/partners on issues related to ESCAP Pacific collaborations.
This vacancy is now closed.