Within delegated authority, the Research Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: ? Researches, extracts and compiles basic information and technical data on specific programmes/projects on climate change, agriculture, food systems and the environment. ? Sorts, consolidates, extracts and processes data, including geospatial data, and enters into relevant database. ? Assists in monitoring developments/issues on climate change, agriculture, resilient food system pathways and related environmental subjects by collecting, selecting, analysing and compiling materials from multiple sources, e.g., relevant databases, the library and the Internet. ? Assembles original statistical and geostatistical materials; adjusts reported data from different sources and loads data into computerized database system or report templates. ? Assists in the identification, evaluation and examination of indicators and data sets for accuracy, clarity and validity. ? Assists in the maintenance of relevant computerized databases. ? Prepares a variety of reports, presentations, tables, lists, graphs, charts, maps and/or diagrams for information and review by senior officers. ? Prepares abstracts/bibliographic descriptions and bibliographies for inclusion in documents, reports and publications. ? Takes notes and drafts executive summaries of meetings. ? Collects organizes and disseminates relevant UN and media information. ? Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. ? Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. ? Performs other related work as required.

Requirements: 

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

A Master’s degree is desirable. Demonstrated training in and applied use of ArcGIS or QGIS tools is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of experience in collecting and researching data on sustainable development and the environment is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to three for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. 1 year or more of experience in data analytics related to climate change, food systems or related area is desirable. Experience working in the Arab region is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. In addition, Arabic is a working language at ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.