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.

KNOWLEDGE GENERATION

Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need

MIN. EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in education, social sciences, economics, business administration or other related field is required.
• A first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) with two (02) additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.

MIN. YEARS OF RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of two (02) years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of work experience in policy, research and advocacy in the thematic areas of social science, skills development, upskilling and reskilling and employment.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Excellent computer literacy (MS Office; Windows; Internet);
• Excellent report writing and analytical skills.

DESIRED SKILLS IN ADDITION TO THE COMPETENCIES COVERED IN THE COMPETENCIES SECTION

• Proven experience in a similar position in UN agencies or international organization;
• Extensive experience working in the Arab States region;
• Experience in skilling, workforce development, livelihoods or employability programmes and initiatives, technical or higher education programs, or online programs;
• Technical experience or knowledge of massive open online courses, and online education courses, systems and platforms;
• Experience in maintaining and building partnerships and collaborations.

RIGHT TO SELECT MULTIPLE CANDIDATES

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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:

• Project Management and Development
• Provide analytical and strategic support to the leadership to ensure the successful implementation of the Skills Initiative
• Support the development and implementation of innovative and novel approaches to address the skills gap in the Arab States, aligning with project objectives
• Support the establishment and activation of collaboration mechanisms with national and international experts to review existing national skills strategies and contribute to the development of new strategies that align with the project’s vision
• Support in project designs, strategies, proposals, reports, and other relevant documents; and in ensuring that these documents provide strategic recommendations on skills development in the Arab States region
• Represent the initiative in the different national, regional, and international venues, events, and platformsSupport the coordination with other similar UNDP initiatives at both country and regional levels, in addition to fostering synergies and knowledge-sharing among various projects to enhance overall impac