Research and Strategy Analyst, UAE Expo Office

About UAE Expo Office

The UAE Expo Office established in 2022 was created to showcase the UAEs approach to bringing together people and innovation to address global challenges through participation in World Expos.

The ambition of the UAE Expo Office is to create unforgettable experiences designed to accelerate progress contribute to Expo goals and generate unique value for the UAE.

Job Summary

Were seeking a highly motivated detail-oriented and intellectually curious Research and Strategy Analyst to support the UAE Pavilions work in research content development and strategic planning for the UAEs participation in World Expos.

Working closely with the Pavilions Strategy & Narrative Team this role sits at the intersection of cultural diplomacy research strategy and storytelling contributing to shaping the UAEs presence on the global stage.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in research writing (bilingual Arabic and English) qualitative and quantitative analysis and a passion for research-driven creative storytelling.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Support

• Ensure consistency in delivering UAE Expo Office ambitions and strategic pillars across all phases of the UAEs Expo participations.

• Synthesize research findings into evolving strategy frameworks to support the strategic infrastructure of the UAE Expo Office and shape the UAEs participation in Expos.

• Support the strategic direction and advisory efforts using pre-existing strategy frameworks at SHF.

• Collaborate cross-functionally to translate strategic priorities into relevant workstreams such as content and guest experience communications operations and programming.

• Stay informed and up to date on global trends (social political cultural economic etc.) that may influence Expo Office strategic planning and the UAEs positioning at Expos.

• Draft internal briefing materials strategic memos and presentations to communicate evolving strategy and provide recommendations and insights to senior leadership and internal and external stakeholders.

• Contribute to the design and facilitation of strategy workshops and collaborative working sessions to align teams around shared goals and strategic priorities for the Expo.

Research & Analysis

• Gather and analyze data to support strategy reports and produce presentations and content frameworks.

• Assist in developing briefing documents profiles strategic reports and stakeholder presentations aligned with UAE Pavilion themes and Expo Office objectives.

• Track and benchmark developments in global exhibition practices and international public and cultural diplomacy efforts.

• Support the synthesis of complex information into accessible formats for internal and external audiences including the visualization of key data points through qualitative and quantitative analysis.

• Interpret and apply the SHF Methodology (internal framing method) across various research scopes including thematic geopolitical and cultural research areas considering multiple perspectives to generate strategic insights.

• Conduct in-depth primary and secondary research related to UAE culture history social demographics global trends diplomacy and international relations.

Narrative & Content Development

• Assist in shaping curatorial narratives and exhibition concepts for the UAE Pavilion.

• Support the curation of content for guest experience exhibitions immersive multimedia installations programming initiatives and stakeholder engagement including drafting and revising written content.

• Contribute to drafting exhibition labels wall texts object descriptions multimedia text and curating auditory and visual content.

• Collect and annotate archival materials oral histories and visual assets relevant to Pavilion content development.

• Participate in collaborative brainstorming sessions to contribute ideas related to content development narrative frameworks naming and titles and strategic approaches.

• Support the refinement of bilingual content (Arabic and English) including tone alignment terminology review and ensuring cultural nuance.

Administrative Coordination

• Coordinate with designers researchers partners and external collaborators to ensure the timely delivery of content and project milestones.

• Assist in preparing presentations briefing materials and stakeholder decks.

• Support correspondence with cultural institutions researchers artists and collaborators including drafting emails following up on deliverables and maintaining project communication.

• Maintain version control and organize research materials citations documentation and content across teams.

Key Skills & Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelors or Masters degree in a relevant field such as Sociology Public Policy Museum Studies International Relations Anthropology Political Science History Literature Strategic Design Communications Curatorial Studies or equivalent disciplines.

• 13 years of professional experience in research curatorial work diplomacy strategy or a related role preferably within international events or cultural institutions.

Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated experience with analytical research methods (qualitative and quantitative) and the ability to derive insights from data interviews and texts.

• Strong command of Arabic and English both written and spoken with the ability to write and edit in both languages.

• Demonstrated interest in cultural diplomacy strategy exhibition development curation and research-driven storytelling.

• Strong organizational communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Creative thinker with strong attention to detail and a proactive collaborative mindset.

• Familiarity with Expo environments the UAE cultural landscape or global exhibition practices is considered an advantage.

• Ability to draft formal communication and coordinate effectively with internal teams and external partners.

• Organized collaborative and flexible approach to working in multidisciplinary environments.