Senior researcher- Centre for Innovation in Parliament

Organizational setting and reporting relationships

The consultant will play a lead role in the research activities of the Centre for Innovation in Parliament. The Centre is a partnership between the IPU and parliaments to support parliamentary innovation through improved use of digital tools. It focuses on maximising the potential that parliaments can derive from the use of digital tools in their business processes, communication and citizen engagement. By mobilizing the skills and expertise available in the parliamentary community, it delivers direct and tangible value to parliaments by:

1. creating and sharing good practices on the innovative use of digital tools and services in parliaments;
2. producing practical guides for parliaments;
3. providing expert advice and access to networks of expertise.

The consultant will build on the research work that has taken place in recent period, and notably the findings of the World e-Parliament Report and the outcomes of the World e-Parliament Conference.

This work contributes directly to strategic objective #3 of the IPU Strategy 2022-2026 on “resilient and innovative parliaments”, and is also relevant to other strategic objectives and policy areas in the Strategy.

Accountabilities

Within delegated authority, the consultant will be entrusted with the following:

• Provide strategic advice about the development and implementation of the research programme for the Centre for Innovation in Parliament,
• Plan, research and draft key research products on behalf of the Centre
• Support the planning and delivery of research products by the Centre’s hubs
• Contribute to the dissemination of the Centre’s research products, including through social media, and present the research products at suitable events
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of the impact of CIP research products
• Contribute to the organization of CIP events
• Contribute to the organization of the CIP hub on public engagement
• Provide, as requested, assistance in other areas of the Centre’s work.

Deliverables

The consultant will be responsible for creating research, good practices and practical guides as set out in the CIP workplan, including:

• Creation of the World e-Parliament Report, and contribution to the report’s dissemination, including via digital versions of the report, presentations at events, media interviews etc
• Online and print publications by CIP and its hubs, includng the “Innovation Tracker” and “Quick guides”
• Contribution to events organized by CIP, including the World e-Parliament Conference, webinars, peer assists and focus groups.
• Contribution to CIP strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation
• Contribution to the CIP hub on public engagement

Requirements

Candidates for the consultancy need to be able to demonstrate:

• Advanced university degree in a relevant field, and 10 years’ professional experience at increasing levels of responsibility
• Successful experience in planning and leading large-scale research projects
• Deep knowledge of current issues about parliaments and technology
• Deep knowledge of parliamentarians’ use of digital technologies and parliamentary innovation processes
• Excellent research and analytical skills, including experience in designing survey instruments and analyzing survey data
• Experience in soliciting and managing input from experts and project partners
• Ability to write clearly and concisely in English for print and online publications
• Experience in working on public engagement is highly desirable
• Ability to read other languages is highly desirable

Duration

The External Collaborator shall be expected to complete up to 160 days of work per year (based on a 7.5 hour day).

The consultancy is initially for the period June to December 2022. The number of days will be pro rata the start date of the consultancy contract. For example, a contract starting on 1 June would be for up to 100 days of work in 2022.

Subject to performance and the availability of funds, the consultancy may be extended on an annual basis in 2023 and 2024.

The consultant(s) will work remotely. Occasional travel to Geneva or elsewhere may be required.

Employment conditions

The External Collaborator is an independent contractor, is not considered to be an official or employee of the IPU and is not subject to the IPU Staff Regulations and Staff Rules. The External Collaborator is not entitled to recover from the IPU any income tax payable in respect of the fee provided under this contract and shall be solely liable for the payment of any national income tax due in respect of the emoluments payable under this contract. The External Collaborator will not be included in the IPU pension scheme.