Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is in the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), based in New York. The Research Assistant will report to a Statistician in the Cost-of-Living Division (COLD).
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Research Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:
a) Assists in identifying compliance with quantitative and qualitative targets of ongoing price data collections for ongoing cost-of-living surveys by monitoring the progression of pricing agents at their various duty stations. Evaluates from a variety of sources the likelihood of price information in real time, summarizes pertinent material, collects and analyzes data, and prepares background materials for assessment by statisticians.
b) Acts as a focal point for place-to-place or housing surveys, maintaining contact with local Survey Coordinators regarding a wide range of matters related to the organization of the survey, timely obtaining inputs from such Survey Coordinators, and interacting frequently with other local stakeholders.
c) Assists with the collection and analysis of survey data as well as presents analysis of such data presentations and prepares reports for dissemination to duty stations or publication, responds to queries on survey results, and clarifies upon analyses leading to results or disseminated outputs.
d) Assembles and examines original statistical material to ensure accuracy, clarity, and validity, particularly regarding consumer price indices (CPIs); makes appropriate adjustments, such as rebasing of series.
e) Participates in the monthly substantive discussions of the team regarding the implementation of survey results. Collaborates in the selection and evaluation of pricing agents, as needed.
f) Maintains and expands contacts with stakeholders, including UN common system organizations, staff bodies, and other organizations relevant to the work of the team, and coordinates submission of input in regular workstreams for assignments received.
g) Prepares, maintains, and updates files (electronic and paper) and internal databases; designs and generates a variety of periodic and ad hoc reports, statistical tables, charts, graphs, and other background materials/notes to facilitate inspection and other reviews.
h) Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.
i) Performs other related work as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Ability to research, identify, extract, analyze and disseminate statistical data as well as other information broadly related to cost-of-living comparisons from a wide variety of standard and non-standard sources.
Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
Education
High school diploma or equivalent. Studies/courses at the tertiary level in statistics, economics or related areas are desirable.
Work Experience
A minimum of 7 years of experience in collecting, researching and/or disseminating data and reports across the fields of statistics, economics, or related areas is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five 5 for candidates who possess a first-level university or higher degree. Exposure to the field of cost-of-living measurement is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Spanish is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).
Required Languages
Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking
English | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II
Desirable Languages
Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking
French | UN Level I | UN Level I | UN Level I | UN Level I
Spanish | UN Level I | UN Level I | UN Level I | UN Level I
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts.
The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.
By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised.
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The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening.
No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2
(a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2.
(c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.