Research Associate, Inequality Between and Within Countries

The Research Associate will maintain the World Income Inequality Dataset (WIID), conduct research on inequality and development economics, and support the implementation of the Equality work program at UNU-WIDER. The role involves data management, research publication, event organization, and supervision of visiting PhD fellows.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and strengthen the World Income Inequality Dataset (WIID) including yearly updates, data validation, documentation, and quality assurance.
• Supervise external consultants by providing technical and academic guidance.
• Develop academic research and policy documents on between and within-country inequality.
• Produce research papers individually or collaboratively related to the WIDER work programme.
• Contribute to building evidence base on links between inequality and related thematic areas including poverty, taxation, climate change and social programs.
• Undertake statistical, econometric and other analyses, and synthesize key findings.
• Write policy briefs, blogs, academic journal papers and internal briefing papers.
• Assist in organising regular online and offline convening activities such as the annual WIDER Development Conferences and other events.
• Identify speakers, resource persons, documenters and scribes for relevant events and facilitate their engagement and participation.
• Document activities, produce and disseminate outputs in various forms.
• Manage event logistics and provide on-site support for convening activities.
• Supervise visiting PhD Fellows.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements

• PhD (completed or about to be completed in the coming year) in economics, political science, or a related discipline with strong quantitative skills.
• A minimum of two (2) years of work/research experience.
• Research publications on Inequality analysis or development economics in relevant journals or reputable working paper series.
• Proven skills in STATA and R and other data analysis software.
• PhD level competencies in quantitative research.
• Knowledge of advanced econometric techniques.
• International experience and readiness to travel internationally.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Skills in Python, or other statistical software (desired).
• Experience in policy research and writing policy briefs and blogs (desired).
• Experience of work in a low- and middle-income country setting (desired).
• Excellent drafting skills and fluency in both oral and written English.
• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

Skills

• Quantitative Research
• Inequality Analysis
• Development Economics
• STATA
• Advanced Econometric Techniques
• Data Analysis Software
• Research Publication
• Policy Research
• Policy Brief Writing
• Python
• Data Management
• Time Management
• Independent Research
• Interpersonal Skills
• Multi-cultural Team Collaboration
• Research Supervision
• Event Organization

Languages

English