Consultant (Research Analyst/Expert)

United Nations

Job details

  • ONSITE
  • CONSULTING
  • NEW YORK
  • Verified 2026-09-30
  • Source: United Nations public UN Careers board

Original job description

Result of Service The Consultant will produce five deliverables over the contract period. Throughout the preparation of the deliverables, the Consultant is expected to work iteratively with the Project Team, participate in periodic progress meetings, and provide concise updates on research progress, emerging findings and areas requiring guidance or further research. The five deliverables are: (a) (By November 2026) Interim output on the mapping and analysis of existing service arrangements between RSCE/UNGSC and their clients. (b) (By December 2026) Final output on (a), the mapping and analysis of existing service arrangements between RSCE/UNGSC and their clients. The deliverable will include a draft report chapter presenting a consolidated mapping of these service arrangements, based on the data and information collected. The report should include a summary of key findings from the data gathered to support the Project Team's gap analysis. It should also include the complete set of raw data and information received, as well as an organized and consolidated dataset. (c) (by February 2027) A draft chapter of the report presenting a comprehensive benchmarking analysis of shared services arrangements of selected UN system and Secretariat entities, international/regional organizations and private-sector institutions. The output should include the set of raw data and information received; an organized and consolidated dataset. (d) (by March 2027) A draft chapter of the report on a comparative analysis of shared-service structures drawn from the benchmark cases and the data collected under (a), (b) and (c), identifying preliminary patterns, gaps and findings in the context of RSCE/UNGSC and their clients, together with summaries of findings and other written inputs to support the Project Team in developing recommendations; (e) (by May 2027,) Revised and strengthened versions of report and related deliverables under (a), (b) and (c), incorporating additional evidence, based on the findings and insights collected from the extensive consultations conducted with key stakeholders; and (f) (by May 2027) A comprehensive set of data collection tools and a mapping framework developed and applied for the review. The deliverable should include questionnaires, templates, data request matrices and other tools used to collect information. Work Location Remote Only Expected duration 7-8 Months Duties and Responsibilities Pursuant to General Assembly resolutions 80/273 and 80/274, the Department of Operational Support (DOS) is undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the existing and foreseen roles of the Regional Service Centre in Entebbe (RSCE) and the United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC). The assessment is being undertaken in the context of the Secretary-General's UN80 initiative and the broader objective of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Organization's operational support arrangements. The RSCE and UNGSC are key shared service providers within the Secretariat's global operational support architecture, with complementary roles in providing administrative, financial, supply chain, information and communications technology, property management and other operational support services to peace operations and other clients. The assessment will examine their current value proposition and service delivery arrangements and identify opportunities to realize further operational benefits and efficiencies through consolidated and shared support to peace operations and beyond. It will also benchmark relevant service delivery and shared-services arrangements within the UN system and comparable international, regional, public-sector and private-sector organizations. The Consultant will report to the Programme Managers. Duties & Responsibilities The comprehensive assessment of the roles of the RSCE and UNGSC aims to identify opportunities to strengthen operational support arrangements and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Organization, both within the Secretariat and, where relevant, system wide. The assessment will consider the complementary roles of the RSCE and UNGSC and examine how further operational benefits, efficiencies and service improvements may be achieved through the consolidation and expansion of shared support services to peace operations and beyond. The assessment will be led by a Lead Consultant, working closely with the DOS Project Team located within the Division for Special Activities (DSA). The Research Consultant will provide research, data collection, comparative analysis and drafting support to both the Lead Consultant and the Project Team throughout the assessment. The Research Consultant will report to the Programme Managers and will work in close coordination with the Lead Consultant in accordance with the overall analytical framework and workplan established for the assessment. The Consultant will be responsible for: (a) Conducting structured desk research on the existing service arrangements between RSCE/UNGSC and their clients, collecting and organizing operational data including through consultations and meetings with key stakeholders; (b) Drafting a review report on comprehensive mapping shared-service and mission support arrangements, including service offerings, service uptake, workload, staffing, costs and performance; (c) Drafting a review report on benchmarking of shared service arrangement in selected UN system and Secretariat entities, international/regional organizations and private sector institutions, draft a narrative for the final report; (d) Drafting a review report that includes comparative analysis of shared-service structures drawn from benchmark cases and applying the findings to the context of RSCE/UNGSC and their clients; identifying preliminary patterns, gaps and findings, and preparing draft narrative for the report summarizing findings and other written inputs; (e) Updating and strengthening the earlier deliverables by addressing gaps or areas requiring further research identified by the Project Team, revising the relevant report sections and other written inputs accordingly. The Consultant will periodically discuss the evolving findings with the Project Team and refine the outputs based on guidance received; (f) Developing data collection tools and a mapping framework, including questionnaires, templates and data request forms, and applying them to collect and organize information from relevant stakeholders and sources; and (g) Providing other research and analysis required for the review, participation in meetings, consultations and coordination sessions online as required. The Consultant is expected to be available to participate in such meetings during working hours (0900-1700 New York time) to facilitate effective coordination with the Project Team and relevant stakeholders. Qualifications/special skills An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, management, economics, organizational development, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in management or organizational analysis, management consulting, programme or project management, business transformation, public administration, operational support, or a related area is required. Experience in conducting research in areas related to organizational management, including analyzing qualitative and quantitative information, synthesizing research and data into analytical findings, and preparing analytical reports, is required. Experience in shared services or service-delivery system, particularly in the United Nations system, other international organizations, governments or public-sector organizations, including roles supporting or working directly within geographically dispersed or field-based operations, is desirable. Experience in benchmarking across organizations or sectors is desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Additional Information Not available. No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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