Research Consultant (Managing exits from armed conflict)

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

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is an autonomous Geneva-based organization focused on disarmament. This project offers an opportunity to contribute to innovative security solutions.

Tasks ##

• Analyze and clean survey data for the study.
• Create data visualizations for reports and briefings.
• Contribute to publications on the study results.

Skills ##

• Master's degree in international relations or a related field required.
• Proficiency in R for data analysis and visualization.
• Ability to communicate complex results in an accessible manner.

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 public policy institutes in the world focused 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 "Managing exits from armed conflict" project seeks to understand how and why people join and leave armed groups, disarm, and make a complete and lasting 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 up the results in an accessible manner for productions intended for a non-specialist audience.
• 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 various formats: 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 (if 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 workflows, 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 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. Furthermore, 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 contingency measures during planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time effectively.
• Accountability: takes full responsibility and honors commitments; delivers results for which he/she is responsible within prescribed time, cost, and quality standards; acts in accordance with organizational rules and regulations; supports subordinates, supervises, and takes responsibility for delegated missions; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, as applicable.
• Teamwork: collaborates with colleagues to achieve organizational objectives; seeks input 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 it does not entirely reflect his/her own position; shares credit for team achievements and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Communication: expresses himself/herself clearly and effectively orally and in writing; listens to others, interprets their messages correctly, and responds appropriately; asks questions to cla