Consultant IT Architecture Modernization

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations Statistics Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The UN DESA is dedicated to promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of life for people around the world. Established in 1948, the organization has a mission to support countries in their efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to provide a platform for dialogue and collaboration among member states. The UN DESA operates globally, with a presence in numerous countries, and employs a diverse workforce of experts in various fields, including statistics, economics, and social affairs. The organization is committed to capacity development and providing technical assistance to national statistical offices (NSOs) to enhance their capabilities in data management and statistical production.

Job Overview:
The consultant position focuses on supporting national statistical offices (NSOs) in modernizing their IT architecture. This role is crucial as many countries face challenges in leveraging innovative and administrative data for statistical purposes. The consultant will work on the design, configuration, and deployment of a modular, open-source data lake technology stack, which includes tools like Apache NiFi, MinIO, and Kubernetes. The objective is to enhance the capacity of NSOs to integrate and process data effectively, thereby improving the availability of official statistics for policy and decision-making. The consultant will also be responsible for developing in-house data engineering skills within NSOs and providing practical guidance to ensure sustainable modernization of their data and IT architecture. The work will involve collaboration with various stakeholders and may include technical assistance missions to participating countries, depending on specific needs and funding availability.

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

• Collaborating closely with IT and statistical focal points of NSOs to gather information on existing IT systems and assess hardware, software, and skillset requirements.
• Drafting technical requirements and providing technical advice for the modernization of IT systems, focusing on data ingestion, storage, processing, dissemination, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security management.
• 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 country missions to facilitate the implementation of technical recommendations.
• Providing training and knowledge sharing on the deployment and use of data lake architecture to internal and external stakeholders.
• Supporting the development of country case studies that illustrate 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 non-traditional data sources, initially focusing on administrative data.
• 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. The consultant must have at least five years of progressively responsible experience in enterprise data management systems, data warehousing infrastructure, big data technologies, GIS analytics, and cloud-based data solutions. Hands-on experience with open-source technologies, including data ingestion tools like Apache NiFi and storage solutions like MinIO, is essential. Experience working with National Statistical Offices, particularly in developing countries, is desirable, along with demonstrated experience in planning and implementing IT architecture solutions for complex statistical data production systems.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in fields such as computer science, data science, or data engineering. A bachelor’s degree may be accepted if accompanied by sufficient relevant experience, specifically seven years in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of data architecture and the technologies involved in modernizing IT systems for statistical purposes.

Experience:
The consultant is expected to have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in relevant fields. This includes experience in enterprise data management systems, data warehousing, big data technologies, and cloud-based solutions. The role also requires hands-on experience with open-source technologies and a proven track record of working with National Statistical Offices, particularly in developing country contexts. Experience in agile project management and facilitating IT training sessions is also important, as is the ability to coordinate effectively with various stakeholders.

Languages:
Full command of spoken and written English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the UN. Proficiency in French is desirable, as it may facilitate communication with stakeholders in French-speaking countries. Knowledge of other UN languages is considered an advantage, enhancing the consultant's ability to engage with a diverse range of countries and cultures.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last from 15 August 2026 to 31 December 2026, with the possibility of remote work. The consultant may need to undertake 1 or 2 technical assistance missions to selected countries, depending on specific needs and funding availability. Travel expenses will be processed according to the organization's regulations and will be covered separately. The position does not involve any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, as the United Nations does not charge applicants for applications, interviews, or training.