Qualitative Research Associate

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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.
Project BRA/21/002, Strengthening capacities and promoting innovation in the DPU, in line with the 2030 Agenda, aims to produce subsidies (studies, methodologies and implementation of pilot actions) aimed at strengthening capacities and promoting innovation in the Public Defender's Office of the Union (DPU), in line with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To achieve these objectives, the project foresees the following areas of action:

Strategy for applying mechanisms for Legal Knowledge Organization and Representation (ORC) and Data Science in the Federal Public Defender's Office designed, implemented and evaluated, with a focus on the effectiveness of guaranteeing rights for the entire society;
Innovation laboratory for the formulation, implementation and monitoring of research on the themes of the 2030 Agenda, based on evidence and aimed at promoting human rights conceived and implemented;
Efficient management and knowledge management of the project carried out;
Plan to strengthen institutional capacities of the DPU with emphasis on innovation and attention to socially vulnerable groups.

The hired Research Associate will work in the project's innovation laboratory, contributing to studies on the different areas of DPU's activity, in line with the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

The project is expected to be valid until December 31, 2025 and can be extended if necessary.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Qualitative Research Associate will be responsible, under the supervision of the project coordinator and management, for the production and analysis of qualitative data, in order to achieve the desired results of the Project, in close coordination with the DPU and UNDP team. To achieve this objective, the following indicative activities are planned:

1. Develop research projects and methodological strategies, ensuring the relevance and technical rigor of the work.
2. Conduct qualitative research, including diagnostics, bibliographic and documentary research and other analytical materials, using different techniques for collecting and analyzing primary and secondary data.
3. Organize and structure data sources, ensuring the storage, sustainability and accessibility of information.
4. Prepare reports and technical documents, including manuals and guides on the themes of the 2030 Agenda.
5. Participate in and support the organization of events and meetings, presenting results and contributing to the dissemination of research findings.
6. Support the supervision of products and consultancies and the production of management documents, according to the needs of the project.

The holder performs other functions within his/her functional profile that he/she considers necessary for the proper functioning of the program.
Institutional Arrangement
The contractor will work under the supervision of the BRA/21/002 project coordination.
Skills

Achieve Results - LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to detail, delivers quality work on time.
Innovative Thinking - LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic in problem solving, makes improvements.
Continuous learning - LEVEL 1: Open and curious mind, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
Adapt with agility - LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, deals constructively with ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
Act with determination - LEVEL 1: Shows determination and motivation, able to deliver calmly in the face of adversity, confidence.
Engaging and Partnering - LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
Promote diversity and inclusion - LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, be aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Multifunctional and technical skills

Business Direction and Strategy - Strategic Thinking:

Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans aligned with UNDP’s objectives, based on systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking vision to reality on the ground and creating tangible solutions; Ability to draw on learning from multiple sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; demonstrate forward-thinking to model what future developments and possible paths forward for UNDP are.

Business Development - Knowledge Generation:

Ability to research information and transform it into useful knowledge, relevant to the context or suited to a specific need.

Business Management - Knowledge and Digital Literacy:

Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through a skillful understanding of their use or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed.

Business Management - Working with evidence and data:

Ability to inspect, clean, transform, and model data with the goal of discovering useful insights, informing conclusions, and supporting decision making.

Business Development - Integration within the UN:

Ability to identify and integrate the capacity and assets of the United Nations system and engage in joint work; knowledge of the United Nations System and the ability to apply this knowledge to strategies and/or practical situations.

Agenda 2030: Peace - Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights:

Access to Justice

Skills and Experience Required

Minimum education requirements :

High School Diploma is required.
A higher education diploma (undergraduate degree) in Law, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Economics, Psychology or related courses from a Higher Education Institution recognized by the MEC will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement.
Minimum years of relevant professional experience :
Minimum of 6 years (for High School) or 3 years (for Higher Education) of professional experience in research development;
Required skills :

Minimum of 3 years of experience (professional and/or academic) in the areas of Human Rights, access to justice and guaranteeing the rights of people in vulnerable situations.
Excellent oral and written communication skills;
Skill in using information technology;
Knowledge of the office package.
Desired skills, in addition to the skills covered in the Skills section :

Master's or Doctorate Degree in Law, Public Management, Administration, Social Sciences, Sociology or related areas is desirable;
Experience working with partners in the Justice System, especially the Public Defender's Office, is desirable;
Experience with international technical cooperation projects with UNDP or other international organizations is desirable;
Computer knowledge and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource, including qualitative data analysis software.
Required languages :

Fluency in Portuguese is required;
Basic level of English is desirable.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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