TERMS OF REFERENCE

Programme Title: UNDP Crimea Integration and Development Programme (CIDP)

Post Title: Research Assistant

Post Level: SC 3/II

Duration: Until 31 December 2008 with the possibility of yearly extensions

Duty Station: Simferopol, Crimea

Background:

The main goal of UNDP’s Crimea Integration and Development Programme (CIDP) is to foster sustainable human development in a manner that contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability in Crimea through initiatives aimed at preventing interethnic violence and enhancing peaceful coexistence among different ethnic groups.

This includes the following five sub-goals:

• Promote good governance and integration by encouraging citizens of multi-ethnic communities to actively participate in improving living conditions in partnership with local authorities
• Reduce marked economic disparities between underprivileged groups and the rest of the population by promoting income and employment creation with special emphasis on entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprise development
• Increase tolerance and social cohesion through education and culture
• Improve quality and accessibility of basic infrastructure and social services in needy areas
• Increase responsiveness to potential conflict areas through the setting up of a Human Security Monitoring System

The CIDP’s Analytical Group deals with the following issues:

• work on the Human Security component;
• monitoring and evaluation system for UNDP CIDP;
• preparing regular CIDP reporting;
• coordinating and conducting all research for CIDP;
• organizing and storage of data arrays, determined by the goals of the Group.

The Research Assistant is a member of this Analytical Group.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1) Functional Tasks:

During his/her assignment the Research Assistant (hereinafter referred to a as “Assistant”) will address the following tasks:

a) Work on monitoring and evaluation of UNDP CIDP’s effectiveness:

• The Assistant shall study the main monitoring and evaluation approaches (while executing other tasks);
• Shall take part in preparing methodological documents for surveying the rural community organizations, that were created by UNDP CIDP;
• Shall conduct surveys among the community organization members, authorities and other persons in accordance with the approved research programme;
• Shall enter the data into SPSS format and shall process it in accordance with the demands of the Analysts;
• Shall be involved in writing analytical materials as a result of monitoring and evaluation.

b) Work on preparing regular UNDP CIDP reporting:

• The Assistant shall assist in gathering and submission of quarterly and annual reporting by the specialists;
• Shall ensure organizational and technical support for preparing reports within the Analytical Group (necessary calculations, building graphs, interaction with specialists etc.);
• Shall participate in writing sections of reports.

c) Work within the Human Security component:

• The Assistant shall study the work of the Human Security component;
• Shall exert control over execution of plans of research works outsourced to the subcontracted analytical organizations to the extent specified by the Senior Researcher / Analyst;
• Shall provide organizational support to UNDP CIDP and analytical organizations in running joint events (round tables, regular meetings etc.);
• Shall take part in preparing trainings;
• Shall participate in writing analytical materials.

d) Participation in other research:

• The Assistant shall provide organizational and technical support in all research undertaken by the Programme;
• Shall write certain analytical materials within the framework of research.

f) Liaison with the UNDP CIDP Communications Unit:

• The Assistant shall ensure that the corresponding sections of the UNDP CIDP web-site have the relevant information about the activity of the Analytical Group;
• Shall liaise with the Communications Unit (organizational and controlling functions) as to implementing the plan of media coverage of UNDP CIDP work in Crimean media.

Deliverables

• Participation in situation research in community organisations in accordance with approved research program on monitoring and evaluation.
• Participation in preparation work of yearly and quarterly CIDP/UNDP reporting
• Administrative and technical support of the reports for all researches
• Performing of supervision functions on research work plan
• Administrative support of CIDP/UNDP and analytical organisations on joint events conducting
• Creation of analytical materials in the framework of all researches conducted by Analytical group
• Moderation of CIDP/UNDP web site and other responsibilities in line with communication policy of the Programme.

Activity indicators and for work results assessment

• Database (SPSS and other formats) upon the results of research
• Results of individual poll
• Documents prepared in the framework of the conducted researches and their utilization in a final product.
• Documents prepared for CIDP/UNDP yearly and quarterly reporting and their utilization in a final product
• Working plan fulfillment as a part of administrative and technical support
• Existing CIDP/UNDP site sections

Results of competency assessment of the specialist (RCA)

• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent writing skills
• Able to work effectively with analytical and survey data
• Systematic and organized
• Good communication skills
• Respect of deadlines

Administrative subordination

These tasks are a non-exhaustive list of responsibilities of the Assistant, who is part of the UNDP CIDP Analytical Group. The Group comprises: the Senior Researcher / Analyst, the Analyst, and two Research Assistants. In order to build the capacity of the Assistant, he/she will be involved into preparing analytical materials, which will constantly grow in quality. The own initiative of the Assistant as to capacity-building will be welcome.

The work is conducted under supervision of the Senior Researcher / Analyst, who approves work plans and ensures the work of the Analytical Group as a solid team, driving at common results.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Higher degree in development studies or related fields
• A creative disposition and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent English language skills
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office software package, SPSS
• Excellent communication skills, results-oriented and proactive
• Readiness to work effectively in a team in order to achieve common goals
• Organizational and logistical skills
• Affinity with United Nations' mandate and principles

All interested candidates must complete a PERSONAL HISTORY FORM* (P-11) and submit it to e-mail address: vacancy@undp.crimea.ua with reference “Research Assistant” in the subject line of the email.

Failure to disclose prior employment or making false representations on this form will be grounds for withdrawal of further consideration of his/her application or termination, where the appointment or contract has been issued.

Please mention the minimal salary level expected in your application/CV.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 14 SEPTEMBER 2008

UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest. Applications may only be submitted for specific vacancy. We regret that we will not be able to acknowledge all unsolicited general applications for employment.

• Personal History Form can be downloaded from http://www.un.kiev.ua/bc/jobs/