Research Consultant (Management of exits from armed conflicts)

• 20 October 2026
• 100%
• Indefinite duration
• Geneva

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is an autonomous institution in Geneva. This unique opportunity allows you to contribute to innovative initiatives in disarmament and security.

Tasks ##

• Assist the Data Scientist in data analysis and visualization.
• Contribute to the writing of publications on the study results.
• Support data quality verification and organization.

Skills ##

• Master's degree in international relations, political science, or statistics required.
• Skills in data analysis with R and other statistical tools.
• Ability to work in a team and communicate effectively.

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is an autonomous institution funded on a voluntary basis within the United Nations. As one of the few policy institutes in the world focusing on disarmament, UNIDIR generates knowledge and promotes dialogue and action on disarmament and security. Based in Geneva, UNIDIR helps the international community develop the practical and innovative ideas necessary to find solutions to critical security problems.

UNIDIR's "Management of exits from armed conflicts" project seeks to understand how and why people join and leave armed groups, disarm, and undergo a complete and sustainable transition to civilian life. The project generates evidence to inform policies and interventions that prevent recruitment, support reintegration, and promote micro-disarmament.

The objective of this position is to support the project's lead Data Scientist in the monitoring, organization, cleaning, analysis, and visualization of data.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the project's lead Data Scientist and in close collaboration with the rest of the team, the Research Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

Data Analysis

• Perform cleaning, de-identification, and integration of survey data as needed and document the steps followed.
• Support the development of statistical analyses of the data and write the results in an accessible manner for non-specialist audiences.
• Contribute to co-signed publications on the study results, including in policy-oriented formats and academic journals.

Data Visualization and Reporting

• Support the presentation and visualization of data in different media: creation of charts and infographics for reports, briefings, and other types of productions as needed.
• Where appropriate, participate in events to present data and results to support UN policy processes.

Data Quality Monitoring and Organization (as applicable)

• Support the monitoring and verification of incoming data quality during survey deployment periods.
• Support the management and storage of project data in compliance with required data protection measures.
• Contribute to efficient work processes, such as documenting changes between surveys and lessons learned, and generalizing data cleaning and reporting steps (e.g., by contributing to codebooks and libraries).

Expected duration, remuneration, and payment terms of the mission

The Research Consultant:

• Will be engaged as soon as possible for a duration of six months.
• Will receive remuneration at an hourly rate for a total amount not exceeding 9,000 USD, payable upon satisfactory completion of the agreed deliverables.

Payments are subject to the certification of timesheets and the satisfactory delivery of the service by the project manager. The consultant must also submit invoices indicating (1) the exact title or description of the work and (2) the number of hours worked to the UNIDIR Finance, Budget, and Administration section.

Skills

The Research Consultant must demonstrate the core values of the United Nations: professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity. In addition, he/she will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Planning and organizing: develops clear objectives consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and missions; adjusts priorities as needed; allocates appropriate time and resources to accomplish work; anticipates risks and plans for contingencies during planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time effectively.
• Accountability: assumes all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers results for which he/she is responsible within prescribed time, cost, and quality standards; operates in accordance with organizational rules and regulations; supports subordinates, supervises, and takes responsibility for delegated missions; assumes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, as applicable.
• Teamwork: works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational objectives; solicits contributions by sincerely valuing the ideas and expertise of others; is willing to learn from others; places the team agenda before the personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with the final decision of the group, even if those decisions do not fully reflect his/her own position; shares credit for team achievements and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Communication: speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages and responds in a manner that