Consultant for Data Engineering Skills Development

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations Statistics Division, which operates under the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The UN Statistics Division is dedicated to enhancing the capacity of national statistical systems worldwide, particularly in leveraging innovative and administrative data for statistical purposes. Established to support the global statistical community, the organization aims to improve data collection, analysis, and dissemination practices across various countries. The UN Statistics Division engages in numerous initiatives, including the 'Data for Now' initiative and the 'Data for SIDS' DATAS project, which focus on enhancing the use of innovative data sources to support policy-making and decision-making processes. The organization operates in multiple countries, working collaboratively with national statistical offices to address challenges in data integration and processing. With a mission to promote the use of high-quality statistics for sustainable development, the UN Statistics Division plays a crucial role in supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Job Overview:
The consultant position is designed to support the development of data engineering skills within national statistical offices. The primary objective is to provide practical guidance and reference materials that will facilitate the sustainable modernization of data and IT architecture. The consultant will work closely with IT and statistical focal points to gather information on existing IT systems, draft requirements, and offer technical advice for modernization efforts. This role is critical in addressing the urgent need to strengthen national statistical systems, particularly in developing countries, where there is often a lack of modern IT infrastructure and technical skills. The consultant will also be responsible for delivering technical assistance, conducting training sessions, and developing case studies that highlight successful modernization efforts. The work will involve collaboration with various stakeholders and will be conducted primarily through remote communication, with potential travel for technical assistance missions as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Collaborating with IT and statistical focal points of national statistical offices to gather information on existing IT systems and draft modernization requirements.
• Developing a report summarizing requirements and technical recommendations for the modernization of IT architecture in at least two countries involved in the Data for Now project and DATAS initiative.
• Delivering technical assistance and advice through remote sessions and potentially in-country missions to facilitate the implementation of modernization recommendations.
• Providing training and knowledge sharing on data lake architecture and technology stack deployment to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Supporting the development of country case studies that document the modernization of IT architecture and the integration of innovative data sources into official statistics production.
• Creating general guidance on IT architecture and infrastructure related to the use of non-traditional data sources, initially focusing on administrative data but potentially expanding to other innovative sources.
• Ensuring adherence to UN policies and data governance frameworks where applicable.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires advanced qualifications, including an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, data science, data engineering, or a related field. Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree combined with seven years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Candidates must have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in enterprise data management systems, data warehousing infrastructure, big data technologies, GIS analytics, and/or cloud-based data storage and access solutions. Experience working with National Statistical Offices, particularly in developing country contexts, is highly desirable. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate experience in planning and implementing IT architecture solutions for complex statistical data production systems or data science projects, as well as experience in agile project management and facilitating IT training and workshops. Coordination with various stakeholders is also a desirable skill.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in fields such as computer science, data science, data engineering, or related disciplines. In cases where candidates hold a bachelor’s degree, they must have at least seven years of relevant experience to qualify for the position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary technical knowledge and skills to effectively support the modernization of IT architecture in national statistical offices.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in relevant fields, including enterprise data management systems, data warehousing infrastructure, big data technologies, GIS analytics, and cloud-based data solutions. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in working with National Statistical Offices, particularly in developing countries, and should be familiar with the challenges faced by these offices in modernizing their data systems. Experience in planning and implementing IT architecture solutions for complex statistical data production systems or data science projects is crucial. Additionally, candidates should have experience in agile project management and facilitating IT training and workshops, as well as coordinating with various stakeholders to achieve project objectives.

Languages:
Full command of spoken and written English is mandatory for this position, as effective communication is essential for the role. Proficiency in French is considered desirable, as it may enhance collaboration with French-speaking stakeholders. Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage, as it can facilitate communication in diverse international contexts and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the consultancy.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be conducted remotely, with the possibility of one or two technical assistance missions to selected countries based on specific needs and funding availability. The expected duration of the consultancy is from July 1, 2026, to November 30, 202

• It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization also does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.