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6 Research Assistant Openings at the United Nations 2026 — Paid Global UN Research Roles for Early-Career Professionals.
The United Nations is recruiting Research Assistants across multiple UN agencies for 2026, offering exceptional opportunities for graduates and early-career professionals to work on global research, data analysis, policy development, and evidence-based programming. These roles provide competitive UN salaries, international exposure, and a strong entry point into long-term UN and international organization careers.
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This article is published by an independent jobs and opportunities website. The publisher is not affiliated with the United Nations and is only advertising publicly available vacancies for informational purposes.
Background & Job Description
About the United Nations
United Nations is the world’s largest multilateral organization, working across peace and security, human rights, humanitarian action, and sustainable development. Research and data play a critical role in shaping UN policies, guiding programme design, and supporting evidence-based decision-making across its agencies, funds, and programmes.
To support this work, the UN regularly recruits Research Assistants to contribute to:
- Policy and programme research
- Data collection and analysis
- Monitoring, evaluation, and learning
- Knowledge management and reporting
For 2026, multiple UN entities are advertising Research Assistant positions, making this an excellent time for qualified candidates to apply.
Overview: 6 Research Assistant Openings at the UN (2026)
These Research Assistant openings are typically found across UN agencies such as:
- UNDP
- UNICEF
- UN Women
- International Organization for Migration
- UNESCO
- UNHCR
Roles may be office-based, hybrid, or remote, depending on the agency and project.
Tasks
While specific responsibilities vary by agency, Research Assistants at the UN commonly perform the following tasks:
Research & Data Analysis
- Conduct desk research, literature reviews, and background studies
- Support qualitative and quantitative data collection
- Assist with data cleaning, analysis, and visualization
Reporting & Knowledge Products
- Draft research summaries, briefing notes, and analytical reports
- Support preparation of policy briefs and publications
- Contribute to donor and internal reporting
Programme & Policy Support
- Provide research inputs to programme design and evaluations
- Support evidence-based policy discussions
- Assist teams in translating research findings into actionable insights
Coordination & Administration
- Support coordination with internal teams and external partners
- Participate in meetings, workshops, and consultations
- Maintain research databases and documentation
6 Research Assistant Openings at the United Nations 2026 — Apply Now for Global UN Research Careers
Qualifications
Education and Certification
Competitive candidates usually have:
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in:
- International Relations
- Development Studies
- Economics
- Social Sciences
- Public Policy
- Statistics or Data Science
- Migration Studies or related fields
Research methods or data analysis training is considered an advantage.
Experience
Applicants typically demonstrate:
- 1–5 years of relevant research or analytical experience
- Strong academic research background (including thesis work)
- Experience with international development, humanitarian, or policy research
- Ability to work effectively in multicultural or remote environments
Prior UN experience is not always required, making these roles accessible to early-career professionals.
Additional Information
Contract Types
- Fixed-Term (FT)
- Temporary Appointment (TA)
- Consultancy or Special Service Agreements (role-dependent)
Salary Range (Indicative)
- USD $35,000 – $75,000 per year, depending on:
- Agency
- Duty station
- Contract type
- Experience level
Work Arrangement
- On-site, hybrid, or remote (varies by vacancy)
Location
- Global UN duty stations or home-based roles
The United Nations is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Employer | United Nations (Multiple Agencies) |
| Number of Roles | 6 Research Assistant Openings |
| Year | 2026 |
| Work Mode | On-site / Hybrid / Remote |
| Salary Range | $35,000–$75,000 USD |
| Experience Level | Entry to Mid-Level |
| Sector | Research, Policy & International Development |
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