Research Fellow (Full-time, Home-based position)

Background

CORPORATE BACKGROUND:

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development () is the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) global organization mandated to leverage the role of the private sector in development. The IICPSD was established in Istanbul, Turkey based on the Partnership Framework Agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the United Nations Development Program in March 2011. The center is one of the six global thematic policy centers of UNDP, supports the private sector and foundations to become transformative partners in development through research, advocacy, facilitation of public-private dialogue and brokering partnerships. IICPSD leads UNDP’s global work on private sector and foundations and supports UNDP’s offices all around the world.  

FELLOWSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND:

The is a joint initiative of UNDP BPPS (Bureau for Policy and Programme Support) team, and it is hosted under UNDP IICPSD. The SDG AI Lab provides research, development, and advisory support through cutting-edge digital solutions in harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for sustainable development. The Lab aims to strengthen the UNDP’s internal and its partners’ capacities for the increasing demand for digital transformation. In addition, SDG AI Lab mobilizes volunteer data scientists under between UNDP IICPSD and United Nations Volunteers (UNV). Volunteer Data Scientist Initiative connects UNDP teams and data scientists to address development challenges such as Covid-19, disaster response, poverty, climate change and others.

The objective of Fellowship is to provide the opportunity to conduct research on topics such as Digital Transformation, skills development and other issues related to sustainable development. In particular, the fellowship will contribute to research activities, report writing, proofreading and other tasks. The fellow will participate in the knowledge management activities within ICPSD’s mandate.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Fellow will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:

Competencies

IT skills:

• Knowledge and a proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools

Language skills:

• Fluent in English with excellent reading and writing skills is required.
• Proficiency in Turkish and/or French is an asset.

Other competencies and attitudes:

• Interest and motivation in working in an international organization.
• Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation.
• Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal-oriented mind-set.
• Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently.
• Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in social science, economics, business administration, international development, international relations, political science, or related field is required;
• Master’s degree in social science, economics, business administration, international development, international relations, political science, or related field is an asset.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
The application should contain: 

• Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post; 
• Current and complete CV in English; 
• Please group all your documents into one single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document. 

Candidates who are selected for must submit prior to the interview the following documents: 

• Official document(s) confirming meeting at least one of the educational requirements.  

Stipend 

• During the time of the fellowship, UNDP will pay a stipend on a monthly basis. The stipend will be paid by UNDP in accordance with the rates  effective as of 1 January of the year in which the fellowship is conducted.