The United Nations Department of Operational Support (DOS) is seeking a Consultant (Research Analyst/Expert) to support a review of shared-service arrangements involving the Regional Service Centre in Entebbe (RSCE) and the United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC).
The consultancy focuses on research, operational data collection, benchmarking, comparative analysis and report preparation, with the work designated as remote and an expected duration of seven to eight months.
Overview of the Consultancy
Source: UNjobs vacancy listing; official recruitment status and application details should be confirmed with the United Nations.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Position | Consultant (Research Analyst/Expert) |
| Organisation | Department of Operational Support (DOS), United Nations |
| Work arrangement | Remote only |
| Expected duration | 7–8 months |
| Main focus | Research, data collection, benchmarking and analytical reporting |
| Reporting line | Programme Managers |
| Deadline | Not specified in the vacancy listing |
The consultancy supports a broader assessment of how the RSCE and UNGSC provide operational services to peace operations and other clients. The review aims to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, service delivery and the use of shared support arrangements.
What Will the Consultant Do?
The consultant will provide research and analytical support to the Lead Consultant and the DOS project team. The work involves examining existing service arrangements, comparing practices across organisations and preparing written material for the assessment report.
Key responsibilities include:
- Conducting desk research into existing service arrangements between RSCE, UNGSC and their clients.
- Collecting, organising and analysing operational information through research, consultations and stakeholder meetings.
- Examining service offerings, service uptake, workload, staffing, costs and performance.
- Benchmarking shared-service arrangements across selected UN entities, international and regional organisations, public-sector institutions and private-sector organisations.
- Comparing service structures and identifying preliminary patterns, gaps and findings.
- Drafting analytical reports and report chapters for the project team.
- Developing questionnaires, templates, data-request forms and other tools for collecting information.
- Revising research outputs in response to feedback and additional evidence.
The consultant will work iteratively with the project team, discuss emerging findings and participate in online meetings and consultations as required. Availability during working hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. New York time is expected to support coordination with stakeholders.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Applicants should review the academic and professional requirements carefully before pursuing this consultancy.
Educational background
An advanced university degree, such as a master’s degree or equivalent, is required in one of the following fields or a related discipline:
- Business administration
- Public administration
- Management
- Economics
- Organizational development
A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted instead of an advanced degree.
Professional experience
The vacancy listing requires at least five 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.
Applicants must also have experience conducting research related to organizational management. This includes analysing qualitative and quantitative information, turning research and data into analytical findings, and preparing analytical reports.
Experience in shared services or service-delivery systems is desirable, particularly experience involving the United Nations, international organisations, governments or public-sector institutions. Familiarity with geographically dispersed or field-based operations and benchmarking across organisations or sectors is also desirable.
Language Requirements
Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of an additional official United Nations language is an advantage.
The official languages of the UN Secretariat are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Applicants should consider the stated English-language requirement when assessing their suitability for the assignment.
Consultancy Deliverables and Timeline
The assignment includes several research outputs scheduled across the contract period. These deliverables contribute to the overall assessment of shared operational support services.
| Target period | Expected output |
|---|---|
| November 2026 | Interim mapping and analysis of existing service arrangements |
| December 2026 | Final mapping and analysis, including a draft report chapter and consolidated dataset |
| February 2027 | Draft benchmarking analysis of shared-service arrangements |
| March 2027 | Draft comparative analysis of service structures, patterns and gaps |
| May 2027 | Revised and strengthened reports and related deliverables |
| May 2027 | Data collection tools and a mapping framework, including questionnaires, templates and data-request matrices |
The consultant will be expected to incorporate further evidence and stakeholder feedback into the relevant outputs. The work also involves organising collected information into datasets and preparing material that supports the project team’s analysis and recommendations.
Work Location and Duration
The vacancy listing specifies a remote-only working arrangement and an expected contract duration of seven to eight months. However, the consultant must be available for online coordination and meetings during the specified New York working hours.
The listing does not provide a salary, consultancy fee, travel allowance or other financial benefits. Applicants should therefore consult the official recruitment information for any contractual and financial terms rather than assume that particular benefits are included.
How to Apply for the UN Consultancy
The vacancy listing does not specify a closing date and indicates that applicants should verify the vacancy’s current status through the recruitment organisation. The listing itself is hosted by UNjobs, which states that it is not an official United Nations document.
Before submitting an application, prospective candidates should:
- Confirm that the consultancy is still open through the United Nations’ official recruitment platform.
- Review the official vacancy announcement for the complete eligibility criteria and application instructions.
- Check the required qualifications, professional experience and language requirements.
- Follow the application procedure and submission instructions provided by the official recruitment system.
Important: The current official application destination and closing date could not be independently verified from the available vacancy information. The UNjobs listing should not be treated as confirmation that applications are still being accepted.
