Research Assistant – Regional Advisory Programme (RAP)

About the role

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is seeking an individual contractor to support the Regional Advisory Programme (RAP) in Geneva. Working remotely, the Research Assistant will assist the Interregional Adviser in implementing the COTONI Project and related RAP activities.

Key responsibilities

• Provide logistical and administrative support for meetings, workshops, technical missions and stakeholder consultations.
• Collect, compile and organise quantitative and qualitative data, update monitoring tables, activity trackers and implementation matrices.
• Assist in preparing progress reports, briefing notes, presentations and other project management documents.
• Maintain datasets using Microsoft Excel and Stata, and create basic tables, charts and graphs for reports.
• Support project planning by updating work plans, schedules and activity calendars, and tracking deliverables.
• Conduct desk research on trade, transport, trade facilitation and development issues affecting Least Developed Countries, and compile reference materials for studies and publications.

Required profile

• Ability to work independently under the supervision of the Interregional Adviser.
• Strong organisational skills for handling documentation, meeting minutes and follow‑up actions.
• Experience in data collection, data entry and basic statistical analysis.
• Familiarity with trade and development topics relevant to Least Developed Countries.

Required skills

• Microsoft Excel
• Stata