Research and Coordination Assistant - Future Skills

As the development arm of the United Nations, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading organization working to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and cli-mate change, as well as the technical lead in the UN System's socio-economic response to COVID-19. Working with a broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, UNDP helps nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.

Since 1967, UNDP has worked in close partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) for over five decades, providing strategic support in crisis prevention and recovery, governance, poverty reduction, environment, and sustainable development. UNDP together with the GoSL work towards a sustainable Sri Lanka, building up institutional, legal and individual capacities to respond to the effects of climate change and natural and man-made disasters.

In the face of current socio-economic challenges, Sri Lanka has entered a fast-evolving phase that calls for quick responses, simultaneously supporting stabilization and growth of the economy, while addressing vulnerable populations and enabling broader human development benefits and participation in the economy. The need remains to establish macro-fiscal policies supporting stabilization and medium-term solutions to improve resilience and inclusive and sustainable growth.

Within this context, this UNV assignment is part of the Sustainable Growth Team (SGT) of UNDP, which leads work on inclusive economic growth, financial inclusion, future skills, social protection, and systems transformation to support sustainable growth outcomes. The UN Volunteer will be embedded within the SGT, working closely with a Country Office cross team, and will primarily contribute to advancing its area of work on Future Skills, through research, stakeholder coordination and other activities in support of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The assignment will support ongoing initiatives focused on strengthening national capacities for future-ready skills, strengthening financial inclusion and informing policy and programming through evidence-based research, and fostering partnerships across government, private sector, development partners and academia.
The UN Volunteer will also provide analytical, research and coordination support across multiple initiatives that contribute to and complement the work on Future Skills, supporting knowledge generation, stakeholder mapping, programme implementation, and effective communication within and beyond the team.

Under the supervision of the Team Leader and working closely with the Project Assistant, Sustainable Growth Team (SGT) and a Country Office cross team, the UN Volunteer will support research, coordination, and programme implementation related primarily to the Future Skills Study and other inclusive economic growth initatives. Key tasks include:
1. Conduct background research, literature reviews, and analysis on topics related to future skills, global value chains, trends, and the skills development system.
2. Support the preparation of reports, briefs, presentations, and knowledge products as required.
3. Assist in ongoing initiatives relevant to the SGT portfolio.
4. Support coordination with government counterparts, development partners, private sector actors, and other stakeholders, including organizing meetings and follow-ups. Contribute to planning and implementation of activities, workshops, and events.
5. Assist in tracking progress of projects and maintaining internal documentation and knowledge resources.
6. Provide support to the team in communication, documentation, and day-to-day coordination tasks.