1. The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization within the United Nations System. UNU engages in policy-relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The work of UNU contributes to solving pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States
2. For the past five decades, UNU has been a source of impartial research on sustainability, human security, and economic development. With hundreds of researchers working at institutes in 12 countries, UNU’s expertise spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu
3. UNU-WIDER is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system UNU-WIDER is a leading international development economics think tank. The Institute provides economic analysis and policy advice with the aim of promoting sustainable and equitable development for all. The Institute began operations in 1985 in Helsinki, Finland, as the first research centre of the United Nations University. Today, it is a unique blend of think tank, research institute, and UN agency — providing a range of services from policy advice to governments, as well as freely available original research. More information on UNU-WIDER and its current work programme are available at www.wider.unu.edu
4. UNU-WIDER is implementing a large research, capacity development, and policy engagement programme in Mozambique, the Inclusive Growth in Mozambique (IGM) programme. The main aim of IGM is to contribute to substantially improving the living standards of the Mozambican population by enhancing the Mozambican government’s capabilities to address key economic policy challenges. The specific objectives are threefold: i) produce rigorous evidence to address key policy challenges and help inform Mozambique’s development strategy over the next decades; ii) strengthen research and analytical capabilities at the Ministry of Planning and Development (MPD) and within local academia; and iii) stimulate policy uptake by engaging policy actors across multiple fora and channels. The programme is undertaken by a Consortium consisting of the National Directorate of Economic and Development Policies (DNPED) of MPD, the Centre for Economic and Management Studies (CEEG) at the University of Eduardo Mondlande, and UNU-WIDER. The Development Economics Research Group of the University of Copenhagen (UCPH-DERG) is engaged as a key research partner alongside other institutions and individual researchers
5. UNU-WIDER maintains three full-time research and three programme support personnel in Maputo, Mozambique, located at DNPED and CEEG premises. The research staff provide technical assistance to the local partners and offer short- and long-term training in their area of expertise, in addition to leading and supporting the research under IGM’s thematic work streams. For more information on the IGM programme, please visit https://igmozambique.wider.unu.edu/

Duties

• Primarily based at the premises of the Centre for Economic and Management Studies (CEEG) at the Faculty of Economics (FACECO) of the University of Eduardo Mondlane (UEM), in Maputo, Mozambique, the Research Associate (National Resident Advisor) will support the implementation of the IGM programme, with a focus on capacity development, mentoring, and data collection coordination
• Under the overall supervision of UNU-WIDER’s Senior Research Fellow in Maputo, Mozambique, the responsibilities include:

Capacity development and mentoring

• Design and deliver training courses in key areas such as Microsoft Office, quantitative methods, macroeconomic analysis, public finance, research skills, and policy evaluation
• Develop tailored learning materials and training plans aligned with the needs of CEEG-UEM and DNPED-MPD, postgraduate students, and IGM trainees
• Provide mentoring and supervision to IGM trainees, ensuring clarity of tasks, practical learning opportunities, and integration into ongoing research activities

Support to data collection and analysis

• Support the data collection initiatives of CEEG, including by ensuring the hiring and training of enumerators, coordinating field work, and securing related administrative and financial tasks
• Conduct data cleaning and associated analysis, including production of descriptive and analytical study reports synthesizing key findings and contributing to academic articles (working papers)
• Organize and contribute to academic and policy dissemination events, including seminars, workshops, and conferences, to promote evidence-based dialogue

Ongoing technical assistance and strategic planning support to CEEG

• Support the development of CEEG-UEM as a national hub for economic policy research and capacity-building by contributing to related planning, monitoring and reporting tasks
• Support CEEG and FACECO in building research and data collection partnerships with other Mozambican universities and research institutions, particularly outside Maputo, by participating in relevant events and conducting trainings at partner institutions

Support to strategic communication and visibility of CEEG and the IGM programme

• Contribute to enhancing the visibility and outreach of CEEG-UEM and the IGM programme among academic, policy, and public audiences
• Assist in the preparation and dissemination of knowledge products, including research and policy briefs, blogs, and digital content
• Coordinate and support communication activities such as seminar series, public lectures, and media engagement
• Document and showcase CEEG’s contributions to national policy debates and academic development, including through reporting and liaison with UNU-WIDER and other programme partners
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key Performance Indicators

• Quality and relevance of training courses developed and delivered
• Effectiveness of mentoring provided to IGM trainees
• Timely and quality coordination of data collection activities
• Contribution to analytical outputs and policy-relevant documents
• Degree of engagement with academic institutions beyond UEM
• Timely and quality input to programme documents (such as work plans), results frameworks, plans and reports at CEEG
• Contribution to the visibility and reputation of UNU-WIDER and the IGM programme among national academic stakeholders

Requisites

• Education and certification: Master’s or PhD in economics, public policy, statistics, or a related discipline with strong quantitative skills
• Nationality: This is a locally recruited position and limited to candidates who have the Mozambique nationality
• Required skills and experience:
• Three (3) or more years of relevant experience in professional or academic training delivery is an advantage
• Proven experience in public policy analysis and capacity development
• Experience in coordinating field data collection and managing enumerator teams
• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills; knowledge of STATA required
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to work independently
• Desired
• Experience working with academic institutions or providing technical support to government or development partners in  Mozambique
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Portuguese is required

Benefits

• The successful candidate will be employed under PSA contract. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including an annual gross salary of USD 52,872, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days annual leave and a health insurance scheme
• UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• Duration of contract: The duration of the initial contract is 1 year. This is Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration on a PSA contract with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for PSA holders is 65 years
• Starting date: As soon as possible