International - Graduate Research Consultant: Behavioural Science for Organizational Efficiency in the UN at the country level

Result of ServiceDuration and Timeline Total Duration: 20 Oct - 20 Dec 2025 Indicative Timeline: • October: Research and inception plan • November: Draft paper • December: Final version and summary presentation Data Sources and Tools • Publicly available behavioural science research and institutional case studies (e.g., BIT, OECD, UNIN) • Internal UN documents (where available): SOPs, coordination guidance, mission reviews • Interviews or informal consultations with UN personnel from different contexts (optional but encouraged) • UN 2.0 reform documentation, SDG acceleration tools Work LocationTirana Expected duration20 Oct - 20 Dec 2025 Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe UN in Albania published a 2024 report on the application of behavioral insights to SDG acceleration through the use of successful behavioral and nudge interventions across the world. This proposed follow-up study flips the lens inward - investigating how behavioral science can improve internal efficiency, leadership, and coordination within UN entities themselves. While behavioral insights are increasingly applied to shape public behavior and service delivery, their potential to enhance institutional performance, team dynamics, and adaptive decision-making inside multilateral organizations remains underexplored. This paper will explore how behavioral science and nudge interventions can enhance internal efficiency, sustainability, and team functioning within UN offices, with a focus on the programmatic and management (not operations) side of UN work. In doing so, it aims to support the implementation of UN 2.0 enablers, and generate globally relevant evidence on how behavioral interventions can strengthen institutional performance, and generate globally relevant evidence on how behavioral interventions can strengthen institutional performance, including contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework in terms of impact and efficiency. This assignment should be seen as a first-phase exploration, with findings intended to inform the UN Country Team on possible avenues for further institutionalization and development. Objectives of the Assignment • Explore the application of behavioral science and nudges to improve internal efficiency and impact, with reference to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, across diverse UN operational settings. Identify areas of the Resident Coordinator Office’s service provision where behavioral approaches have the highest potential for improving effectiveness. • Identify and categorize behavioral bottlenecks affecting decision-making, coordination, administrative workflow, and resource management. • Propose low-cost, evidence-based interventions to address these challenges, with attention to feasibility across diverse contexts. • Examine how nudges can improve internal outcomes such as: o Attention and cognitive load management o Meeting effectiveness o Use of digital tools o Timely decision-making and approvals o Budget execution and task planning • Develop an academic-style research paper that synthesizes global insights and contextualizes them for the UN context at the national level, especially through the light of the Resident Coordinator Office and its work with United Nations Country Team. Scope of Work and Methodology The consultant will, with a particular focus on the RCO’s provision of services, do the following: • Conduct a desk review of behavioral science literature, focusing on its application to institutional design, workplace efficiency, and sustainability practices. • Map behavioral challenges commonly observed in UN workflows, such as: o Procrastination in reporting or planning cycles o Excessive or low-value meetings o Default reliance on outdated formats or channels o Avoidance of shared tools or platforms o Misaligned time use or feedback gaps in team settings • Identify existing nudges and behavioral interventions from international public sector examples (OECD, BIT, World Bank, GovTech labs, UN Innovation Network). • Analyze UN country contexts to explore how local institutional culture and programmatic pressures influence the behavioral environment. • Suggest contextualized interventions, such as: o Default scheduling prompts o Framing choices to encourage energy savings or digital collaboration o Social norm nudges for shared resources and cross-team engagement o Simplified decision trees for approvals and coordination o Real-time feedback dashboards • Structure the final output as a comparative, academic-style paper (~7,000 words) suitable for publication or internal policy dialogue. Data Sources and Tools • Publicly available behavioural science research and institutional case studies (e.g., BIT, OECD, UNIN) • Internal UN documents (where available): SOPs, coordination guidance, mission reviews • Interviews or informal consultations with UN personnel from different contexts (optional but encouraged) • UN 2.0 reform documentation, SDG acceleration tools Qualifications/special skillsA recognized first level university degree in Behavioral Science, Public Policy, Organizational Psychology or related field is required. Enrolled in or recently graduated from a Master’s or PhD program in the fields is desired. At least two years of professional or academic experience in data analysis, visualization is required. Experience in monitoring and evaluation is desired. Demonstrated interest or coursework in behavioral economics, institutional governance, or international development is required. Strong research, writing and analytical skills is required. Ability to produce a structured, well-referenced academic paper is desired. Experience with or knowledge of UN or public administration systems is desired. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English is required for this post. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.