Logo

Professors Christopher Stone and Ngaire Woods are seeking assistance with research on good governance practices for multilateral organisations, on a casual basis.

Immediate assistance is needed beginning 22 April 2024 (or commencing as soon thereafter as possible) for 12 weeks. The work does not require travel and can be conducted entirely remotely (from the UK), but routine availability for meetings with the professors and to conduct interviews between 08:00 and 18:00 UK time is essential.

The role

Professors Stone and Woods are engaged in a year-long project to develop a set of governance frameworks that:

(a) define a series of good governance practices for multilateral institutions (e.g. induction of new members, committee structure, agenda setting);

(b) explain how those practices can improve or strengthen the quality of the institution’s governance (e.g. a board’s culture, engagement, efficiency);

(c) illustrate the relationship between those board qualities and the qualities of the institution itself (e.g. effectiveness, resilience, culture).

Specifically, the Research Assistant will conduct a series of 20-to-30-minute interviews with members of the board of the United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC) between 22 April and 17 May.  The board consists of representatives of more than 40 entities for which UNICC provides services.  Most of these board members are the chief technology officers of their respective organisations.  Most are therefore both the UNICC’s clients and members of the governing body.  This board is also known as the Management Committee.

The Research Assistant will summarise the interviews and, together with the professors, analyse the information gained from the interviews. They will also attend (virtually) a meeting of the board on 20 and/or 21 May at which Professors Stone and Woods will lead a discussion of good governance practices, leading to a decision at that meeting of the board’s priorities for adoption or strengthening of its governance practices.

From 22 May to the end of the 12-week engagement, the Research Assistant will conduct desk research on the practices prioritised by the UNICC board at the May meeting, and summarise the results of that research in brief memos to Professors Stone and Woods.  They will also conduct additional desk research on the distinctive nature of governance in different kinds of institutions, allowing comparison between multilateral institutions and other forms of international organisations (e.g. multinational public companies, international NGOs).  They will meet occasionally (virtually or in-person) with Professors Stone and Woods to discuss the results of their research and refine the focus of continuing research.

You must have the right to work and be based in the UK.

Payment will be at the Grade 6 rate: £17.03 - £18.98 per hour, dependent on experience, plus hourly holiday pay (12.07%).

Selection criteria

You will be judged against your ability to demonstrate the following:

  • Hold a first degree;
  • Working toward a doctorate in a relevant discipline;
  • Ability to manage own research and administrative activities;
  • Excellent organisational skills;
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written;
  • Routine availability for meetings with the professors and to conduct interviews between 08:00 and 18:00 UK time.

How to apply

Please email your application to recruit@bsg.ox.ac.uk with the subject “Application for casual RA - Governance of Multilateral Organisations”.

Please include:

  • your CV
  • a brief cover letter/email addressing the selection criteria. Also include any constraints around availability (e.g. term dates, thesis deadlines, future commitments, etc.)

The closing date for applications is 16:00 (UK time) on Wednesday 17 April 2024. Interviews will be held on Friday 19 April 2024 via MS Teams.