Research Analyst [Open to internal and external applicants]

Better Than Cash
Better Than Cash

IT

Şile/İstanbul, Türkiye

Posted on Jul 6, 2026
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Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

As the lead United Nations agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnerships and institutional capabilities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

As outlined in the UNDP Strategic Plan 2026-2029, UNDP’s work is guided by four strategic objectives that together define our contribution to human development: expanding prosperity for all, strengthening effective governance, safeguarding a healthy planet and building crisis resilience. These objectives are enabled by three accelerators that drive transformative impact across our portfolio: digital and AI innovation, gender equality and sustainable finance. Through this integrated approach, UNDP supports countries to deliver tangible improvements in people’s lives and to advance sustainable development at scale.

UNDP, through its Sustainable Finance Hub (SFH) (https://sdgfinance.undp.org/), supports partners in promoting financing for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As an accelerator of the UNDP Strategic Plan, sustainable finance strengthens countries’ ability to mobilize, align and deploy finance at scale for national priorities. UNDP supports international and country level policy reform as a catalyst for system-wide change, stronger policy environments, better-functioning markets and more coherent financing strategies for sustainable development. SFH work is delivered through three interconnected portfolios: 1) Public Finance for the SDGs; 2) Private Finance for the SDGs; and 3) Global & Country Financing Policy Frameworks.

The Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD) is one of UNDP’s six Global Policy Centers. ICPSD supports governments, the private sector, and foundations to become transformative partners in sustainable development through applied research, policy advisory, advocacy, and the facilitation of public–private dialogue and partnerships. The Centre leads UNDP’s global work on private sector and foundation engagement and provides technical support to UNDP Country Offices across all regions.

ICPSD’s work is structured around four interlinked thematic pillars:

  1. AI, digital transformation and skills development
  2. SDG finance and private sector development
  3. Islamic SDG finance and
  4. Crisis and resilience.

Through these pillars, ICPSD generates evidence, convenes partners, and supports innovative solutions that mobilize private capital, expertise, and innovation in support of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Under its Crisis and Resilience portfolio, ICPSD supports sustainable and durable solutions for conflict and fragile affected contexts. The Center, together with its partners and relevant stakeholders, is working on identifying and promoting private sector led good practices in developing countries to be replicated and scaled up to address the major development challenges such as humanitarian crises, disaster risk reduction, climate change, conflict affected economies. As part of the work under the thematic area the Center designs and implements activities to support the Country Offices, partners and stakeholders from both public and private sector through awareness raising and capacity building programs, knowledge products and technical assistance services.

Under the guidance of and reporting directly to the UNDP ICPSD Crisis & Resilience Portfolio Lead, the Research Analyst will support the implementation of project activities through research, data analysis, and analytical input development. The Analyst will contribute to the design and production of policy research outputs, knowledge products, and programmatic materials by conducting desk research, synthesizing evidence, and generating data-driven insights. Additionally, the Research Analyst will support cooperation, donor mobilization, and technical advisory/assistance provided to other UNDP units, including Country Offices and Regional Bureaus.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of and reporting directly to the UNDP ICPSD Crisis & Resilience Portfolio Lead, the Research Analyst will be responsible for the following key functions:

Provide quantitative analysis and econometric support:

  • Clean and conduct quantitative analysis of cross-sectional and panel data on socio-economic, conflict and market datasets applying statistical methods with tools such as Excel, Python, R, or Stata to identify trends, regressions, correlations and patterns that inform programme design.
  • Support the structuring and management of indicator frameworks, including development and refinement of composite indices, variable selection, normalization, and weighting methodologies for analytical tools.
  • Support the development of visual outputs (charts, graphs, dashboards) to communicate key findings generated through the tool.

Economic research and analysis on fragile contexts:

  • Apply basic economic analysis frameworks to research on fragile and conflict-affected contexts, including assessment of market systems, livelihoods, and private sector dynamics.
  • Conduct research and policy analysis to contribute economic perspectives into research outputs, concept notes, and programme design.
  • Support the identification of economic drivers of violent extremism, including linkages between economic conditions and conflict dynamics.
  • Support drafting of practical recommendations to inform private sector development, value chain strengthening, and livelihoods programming in fragile contexts.

Technical assistance and research on migration and economic integration:

  • Support the design and implementation of programs that promote the economic integration of migrants from crisis contexts, through private sector and creative industry development.
  • Conduct research and analysis on migration trends, labour market, and skills assessments to identify barriers to economic participation, producing actionable recommendations.
  • Undertake stakeholder mapping and support in the development of data collection tools such as surveys, interview guides.

Conduct value chain research and market analysis to support MSME growth:

  • Support research on value chains in a crisis context to identify resilience pathways and MSME growth avenues including through business development and trade facilitation.
  • Identify key actors, linkages and structural gaps across value chains, with a focus on promoting equitable access to resources and markets.
  • Assist in drafting actionable recommendations that enhance value chain competitiveness, inclusivity, and gender equity while supporting broader development goals.

Policy analysis, programme support on fragile settings and knowledge sharing

  • Conduct research on financial and monetary policies frameworks to support programme design, concept notes, and policy recommendations.
  • Draft analytical findings into actionable recommendations to inform UNDP programming and stakeholder engagement.
  • Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Research Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Crisis and Resilience Policy Coordinator.

Competencies

Core competencies

  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy

  • Systems Thinking
    • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact other parts of the system

Business Development

  • Knowledge Generation
    • Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
    • Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches.
    • Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Management

  • Working with Evidence and Data
    • Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making

Digital

  • Data storytelling and communications
    • Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion

2030 Agenda: Partnerships – SDG Finance

  • Inclusive and Sustainable Business Models
    • Knowledge of private sector engagement models; ability to support private sector development and livelihoods in fragile and crisis contexts

2030 Agenda: Prosperity – Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility

  • Economic Recovery
    • Knowledge and experience supporting economic recovery, livelihoods and private sector engagement in crisis and fragile settings

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Policy Economics, Development Economics, International Relations or another related field is required. Or
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned field of study, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

  • Applicants with master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
  • Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of qualifying experience in economic research on crisis contexts, including conflict or violent extremism and migration

Desired Skills:

  • Previous experience with economic and fiscal policy research or analysis is desired.
  • Previous experience in conducting value chain analysis is desired.
  • Previous experience in research on cultural or creative industries is an asset.
  • Familiarity with geospatial data and GIS software (e.g., QGIS or similar) is an asset.
  • Experience working with an international organization, particularly familiarity with the UN/UNDP system is an asset.
  • Experience in producing research outputs (e.g., research papers, briefs or a thesis) focusing on economic development within crisis contexts is desired.
  • Previous experience in analysis of socio-economic or conflict data using tools such as Microsoft Excel and statistical tools (e.g., Python, R, STATA or similar) is desired.
  • Previous experience in research on migration and private sector development is desired.

Languages:

  • Fluency in English and Turkish is required.
  • Fluency in French is desirable.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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