Associate Research & Principal Researcher

Public Policy Research Vacancy

Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG)

(Associate Research & Principal Researcher)

The Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government is looking for talented Policy Researchers in the following research areas to join its expanding policy think tank team:

• 1 x RESEARCH PRINCIPAL: ECONOMIC POLICY TRACK (RP-EP)
• 1 x RESEARCH ASSOCIATE: SUSTAINABILITY POLICY TRACK (RA-SuP)
• 1 x RESEARCH ASSOCIATE: FUTURE GOVERNMENT & INNOVATION POLICY TRACK (RA-FG)

As a policy think tank, researchers at MBRSG lead the School's expanded policy research agenda as well as their own research projects. Candidates are expected to work in subject-matter teams and contribute to publishing impactful policy briefs, policy analysis papers, policy reports, case studies, book chapters, conference papers and journal articles. They are also required to engage with stakeholders in the policy community, government, business and academia and to participate in policy roundtables, seminars, and workshops, on local, regional and international levels.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Ideal Background and Experience: We strongly urge you to apply if you have any of the below experiences. The ideal candidate will possess practical experiences in leading and contributing to impactful policy research within one (or more) of the following practices:

1. THINK TANKS: Policy-focused think tanks and policy research institutions
2. ADVISORY: Multinational advisory and consultancy practices, preferably working with government clients
3. IOs: Intergovernmental international organizations, including those with regional or international focus
4. GOVERNMENT: Government agencies and institutions, including policymaking offices, regulatory entities, political and representative bodies
5. ADVOCACY: Advocacy and civil society entities working on public policy issues

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (All applicants must have the following qualifications, regardless of specialization):

• Master’s degree or higher in related fields
• At least 2 years of related experience
• Excellent writing and editing skills (English)
• Interest and depth of knowledge in related policy areas
• Track record of engagement with governments and policy makers
• Practical research experience in their policy area
• Publications in their area of expertise
• Experience conducting primary research, and policy evaluation and analysis
• Presentation and public speaking skills
• Project management skills
• Ability to work independently and in teams
• Ability to deliver high quality work within a deadline-driven environment
• Adapting to changing policy environments

Preferred Skills and Experiences (not required but preferred):

Candidates demonstrating any of the following skills and experiences will be given priority in the recruitment process:

• Practical experience either with governments, policy think tanks, advisory and consulting practices or intergovernmental international organizations
• Mixed methods research skills
• Conducting primary research and fieldwork
• Arabic writing and editing capabilities
• PhD students at advanced stages are welcome to apply
• Hands-on experience with computational and Internet research methods (online big data manipulation, data analysis, digital ethnography, machine learning, etc.)
• Familiarity with qualitative data tools (e.g. NVivo)
• Familiarity with data science tools (including statistical, programing): R, Stata, SPSS, Python)
• Familiarity with data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI, QGIS, etc.)
• Experience in working on panel data (cross-section and time series), factor analysis, principal components analysis, knowledge with ensemble learning and Bayesian model averaging techniques
• Experience in constructing economic indexes
• Experience in building, compiling and analyzing large data bases

• For the Future Government track, candidates with the following are preferred:

1. Hands-on experience with computational and Internet research methods (e.g. online big data manipulation, social media data analysis, digital ethnography, machine learning, etc.);
2. Familiarity with data science tools (including statistical, programing): R, Stata, SPSS, Python;
3. Familiarity with data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI, QGIS, etc.)

• For the Economic Policy track, candidates with the following are preferred:

1. Experience in working on panel data (cross-section and time series), factor analysis, principal components analysis, knowledge with ensemble learning and Bayesian model averaging techniques
2. Experience in constructing economic indices
3. Experience in building, compiling and analyzing large data bases
4. Experience with database, statistical or programming language(s): e.g. R, Stata, SPSS, Python, MATLAB/ Octave, EViews
5. Experience with data visualization techniques

 “Future Government Policy Research" track at MBRSG:

This highly impactful regional research area explores cutting-edge policy questions related to the “government of the future” in the digital age, where policymaking is becoming digitally-driven, data-heavy and “smart”, triggering radical changes in policymaking cycles and innovations in citizen-government interactions. The School’s research in this multidisciplinary track studies digital transformations, innovations, and new models of governance.

Researchers in this area should be interested in policy research in diverse areas of digital governance, technology policy, innovation and societal digital transformation, and an interest in developing a body of work in these areas. Specialized knowledge and experience in at least one of the following areas is required: Digital governance, technology policy, digital transformation, innovation policies, big data-driven governance, Artificial Intelligence and governance, open government data, smart cities, cybersecurity policies, ICT for development, digital-era societal changes, social media and citizen-government interactions, and the policy implications of the “Fourth Industrial Revolution”.

"Economic Policy Research" track at MBRSG:

This research area explores policy questions related to the future of economy in the MENA region. This multidisciplinary track spans macro-economic policy areas, in particular economic diversification, economic sustainability, socio-economic indicators, labor market dynamics, and innovation and competitiveness policy dimensions. In addition, the track also addresses questions on economic policies related to the financial sector, trade, entrepreneurship, emerging knowledge economy fields and the 4th Industrial Revolution, such as the sharing economy, data economy and circular economy fields, among others.

Researchers in this area possess one or more of the following, with focus on policy dimensions: Macroeconomics, international economics, international trade, fiscal economics, development economics, natural resource and commodity-based economies, applied economics, behavioral economics, innovation driven economies, financial economics.

Preferred expertise include skills in constructing and compiling large, cross-country, economic time series data, undertaking regression analysis on panel data, using factor analysis including dynamic factors analysis, principal components and Bayesian model averaging techniques and constructing and conducting analysis on economic indexes.

“Sustainability Policy Research” track at MBRSG:

This research area is involved with research in the diverse areas of sustainability policy areas of study, including governmental responses to climate change, energy policies, mobility and urban sustainability, population studies, food and water policies in the region, and policy dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Preferred expertise include skills in working with secondary data related to SDGs, climate action and environmental policy, as well as development and analysis of public surveys.

How to Apply

Please send your updated CV with a 2 writing samples to the following email address: FutureGov.Research@mbrsg.ac.ae

Deadline: July 29, 2022

ABOUT THE Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government:

Based in Dubai, the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG), formerly the Dubai School of Government, is a premier research and teaching institution focusing on governance and public policy in the Arab world. The School aims to support public policy in the Arab World and the UAE, and empower leaders through research, teaching and training.

Policy Research is the primary pillar of The Mohammad Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG). The MBRSG serves as both a public policy think tank and an educational institution, putting high-quality policy research at the heart of the School’s mandate, vision and activities. The School’s unique regional positioning drives its high commitment to leading the region in multidisciplinary research related to public policy and government.

The School’s dedicated policy research groups work within the following key tracks:

1. Future Government and Innovation Policy
2. Social Policy
3. Education Policy
4. Health Policy
5. Sustainability Policy
6. Public Leadership
7. Economic Policy

More information on the MBRSG research tracks and output is available here: https://www.mbrsg.ae/research