Strategic Partnerships Research Specialist

The Strategic Partnerships Research Specialist will conduct research and prepare a strategic publication on UNIDO's value proposition for the European Union and its Member States vis-à-vis the Europe and Central Asia region. The role involves desk research, data collection, drafting, and coordinating the publication process to support future cooperation and resource mobilization.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a desk review of existing materials, relevant UNIDO strategic documents and EU external action, development cooperation, investment, enlargement, industrial and climate-policy frameworks relevant to UNIDO’s mandate in the Europe and Central Asia region and develop an annotated outline and research framework for the publication.
• Carry out comprehensive research and data collection on UNIDO-EU cooperation, including mapping of the EU-funded project portfolio, funding trends, flagship initiatives and key results, and identify prospective areas of cooperation and strategic entry points in the region.
• Draft a comprehensive, well-structured paper articulating UNIDO's value proposition for the European Union vis-à-vis the Europe and Central Asia region, integrating examples, data visualization and case studies.
• Incorporate feedback from relevant organizational entities and finalize the narrative ensuring factual accuracy, consistency and alignment with UNIDO's corporate messaging and editorial standards.
• Prepare a design brief guiding the preparation of the final publication and support the transformation of the paper into a professionally designed publication, including proposals for structure, infographics, captions and visual elements.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in economics, international relations, political science, European studies, public policy or a related field is required.
• Alternatively, a first level university degree or an advanced technical college diploma may be acceptable provided it is combined with additional 7 years of professional hands-on experience directly relevant to the expertise required by the specific assignment.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in research, policy analysis, international development cooperation or a related area, including at the international level, is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the institutions, policies and funding instruments of the European Union is required.
• Proven experience in drafting analytical papers, policy documents or publications for high-level or external audiences is required.
• Working experience in the United Nations system or other international organizations is desirable.
• Experience in coordinating research or publication processes involving multiple stakeholders is desirable.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Skills

• Research
• Policy Analysis
• International Development Cooperation
• European Union Institutions
• European Union Policies
• European Union Funding Instruments
• Analytical Paper Drafting
• Policy Document Development
• Publication Drafting
• Stakeholder Coordination
• Data Collection
• Desk Research
• Resource Mobilization
• United Nations Experience

Languages

English