DFF - Associate Projects Manager (Research)

Dubai Government; Dubai; On-site; AED 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Dubai Future Foundation is seeking an Associate Manager, Foresight Research, to lead and coordinate foresight projects exploring emerging technologies, policy trends, and socio-economic shifts. You will synthesize data, manage workflows, and coordinate with internal teams and external partners to deliver high-impact research.

You will design research processes, oversee smaller initiatives, and ensure high-quality outputs that position Dubai Future Foundation as a regional and international

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 4–6 years of experience, or a Master’s degree with 2–4 years in research and data analytics.
• Comfortable designing and creating high-quality presentations with strong public speaking capabilities and advanced Microsoft Office skills.
• Curious and proactive about staying up to date with the latest trends in your area of expertise, regionally and internationally.
• Advanced communication skills in English; Arabic is a plus.
• Strong team player with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships.
• Strong analytical skills, high attention to detail, and commitment to high-quality work.

Responsibilities

• Lead small to mid-sized research projects with timely execution, documentation, and quality control.
• Structure research workflows from objectives to reporting findings.
• Manage timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure on-time outputs.
• Collaborate with teams to define methodologies, scope, and deliverables.
• Support data collection, documentation, and synthesis, ensuring accessible materials.
• Conduct literature reviews, data collection, and comparative analyses across topics.
• Support primary research including surveys, interviews, and stakeholder engagement.
• Extract insights from policy papers, academic research, think tanks and industry studies.

Skills

Public speaking

Microsoft Office

Presentation design

Curiosity

English communication

Arabic language (asset)

Team player

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in research and data analytics

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

About Dubai Future Foundation

Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) was established in 2016 to institutionalize future-shaping for Dubai and strengthen the city’s position as a leading global city of the future. The Foundation works in partnership with government and private-sector entities to imagine, design and accelerate Dubai’s future. Its work spans five strategic areas: future foresight, knowledge dissemination, capacity building, future design and future acceleration. At the heart of DFF’s mandate is turning future-focused ideas and opportunities into tangible outcomes. The Foundation embraces risk-taking, agility and foresight as key attributes in navigating emerging opportunities and challenges. DFF is guided by a core belief that leading in the present is not enough; the future must be actively imagined, designed and executed.

LIFE AT DUBAI FUTURE FOUNDATION

Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) aims to institutionalize the envisioned future and forward-thinking methodologies, while positioning Dubai as the leading city of the future. In partnership with its local and global partners from governments, companies, startups, and entrepreneurs, DFF drives joint efforts to collectively imagine, design, and execute the best possible future for humanity.

Under the supervision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DFF, DFF runs and oversees many future-proofing projects and initiatives, such as the Museum of the Future, Area 2071, The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution UAE, Dubai Future Accelerators, One Million Arab Coders, Dubai Future Academy, Dubai Future Solutions, Dubai Future Labs, and Dubai Future Forum.

DFF’s efforts to share knowledge, adopt innovation, support entrepreneurs and innovative startups, build capacity, and promote forward-thinking and foresight principles contribute to Dubai’s ambitions to be a role model for the cities of the future through the power of unlimited imagination, innovation, foresight, and a disruptive mindset.

For more information on the initiatives, projects, and programs of Dubai Future Foundation, please visit: www.dubaifuture.ae

WHERE DOES THIS ROLE FIT INTO THE BIGGER PICTURE?

The Foresight Research team within the Dubai Future Institute focuses on achieving the Dubai Future Foundation’s objective to be recognized as a leader in innovation through delivering evidence-based research and driving cutting-edge thinking.

The team acts as the opinion-forming part of the business, underpinned by sound research that advances regional and international knowledge, including collaboration with Dubai Government Entities and the World Economic Forum.

Research is designed to focus on the next generation of initiatives that will shape the future of Dubai.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As the Associate Manager, Foresight Research, you will be thorough, practice due diligence, and be proactive about further developing your own expertise.

As an Associate Manager at Dubai Future Foundation, you will coordinate and manage foresight research projects that explore emerging and future technologies, policy and regulatory trends, and socio-economic shifts, and contribute to high-impact research.

You will support the research team by structuring research processes, managing evidence and documentation, carrying out elements of primary and secondary research, and overseeing smaller research initiatives.

This role requires a strong ability to synthesise data, manage research workflows, and coordinate between internal teams and external stakeholders to deliver impactful, high-quality research.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Project Management

• Lead small to mid-sized research projects, ensuring timely execution, documentation, and quality control.
• Support the research team in structuring research workflows, from defining objectives to reporting findings.
• Manage project timelines, milestones, and deliverables, ensuring research outputs are delivered on schedule and with accuracy.
• Collaborate with research teams to define methodologies, scope, and key deliverables for different research initiatives.
• Support data collection, documentation, and synthesis, ensuring research materials are well-organised and accessible.

2. Primary and Secondary Research

• Conduct literature reviews, data collection, and comparative analysis across multidisciplinary topics.
• Support primary research efforts, including survey design, expert interviews, and stakeholder engagement.
• Extract insights from policy papers, academic research, think tank reports, and industry studies.

3. Third-Party Relationships

• Build and maintain relationships with research institutions, think tanks, and technology partners.
• Attend and contribute to global foresight conferences, summits, and research forums.
• Support cross-sector research collaborations that leverage data analytics for future intelligence.

WHY THIS ROLE IS IMPORTANT

This role makes the biggest impact by being curious and dedicated to developing research within a broadening field of expertise.

You will be fact-driven, structured, and passionate about creating published research. This role has a key impact in pushing the boundaries and positioning Dubai Future Foundation as a thought leader both regionally and internationally.

WHAT DUBAI FUTURE FOUNDATION OFFERS

We offer you a unique opportunity to work with passionate people, support shapers of the future, and contribute to work that has an impact not only on the organisation and the UAE, but on humankind.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND BEHAVIORS

• Bachelor’s degree with 4–6 years of experience, or a Master’s degree with 2–4 years of experience, in research and data analytics.
• Comfortable designing and creating high-quality presentations, with strong public speaking capabilities and advanced Microsoft Office skills.
• Curious and proactive about staying up to date with the latest trends in your area of expertise, both regionally and internationally.
• Advanced communication skills in both spoken and written English. Fluency in written and spoken Arabic is an additional asset.
• Strong team player with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships.
• Strong critical analysis skills, high attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering high-quality work.