UN Associate Data Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development System was restructured on January 1, 2019, under the leadership of the UN Secretary-General to enhance its effectiveness in achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO) play a crucial role in supporting countries to meet their development priorities. The Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) was transformed into a stand-alone office to oversee the resident coordinator system, ensuring it is optimally configured to support the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda. The DCO focuses on data, digital innovation, and strategic foresight to foster a mission-driven organizational culture. The UN RCO in Lome, Togo, is part of this initiative, aiming to enhance collaboration and data-driven decision-making across various UN entities and stakeholders.

Job Overview:
The Associate Data Specialist is tasked with enhancing data management and analytics within the UN Resident Coordinator Office in Lome, Togo. This role involves collaborating with various organizational units and external partners to develop and implement databases, data collection systems, and analytics that improve statistical efficiency and quality. The position requires a proactive approach to identifying trends and patterns in data, utilizing statistical methods to derive insights that inform decision-making. The Associate Data Specialist will also be responsible for creating reports and dashboards that summarize findings and support management in strategic planning. This role is integral to fostering a data-driven culture within the UN system, ensuring that data collection and analysis are aligned with the broader goals of sustainable development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for implementing databases and data collection systems that enhance statistical efficiency. Key duties include analyzing trends using statistical methods, improving data analytics processes, and maintaining databases. The Associate Data Specialist will develop reports and dashboards to convey findings to management, track progress on data initiatives, and create data visualization outputs to aid decision-making. Additional responsibilities include assisting with data collection, preparing materials for stakeholder communications, and contributing to capacity-building activities through training and workshops. The role also involves staying updated on best practices in data analytics and supporting team members in data verification and reporting tasks. The Associate Data Specialist will perform other related tasks as assigned, ensuring that all activities align with the UN's mission and objectives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of sustainable development theories and concepts, with the ability to identify data sources and conduct research. The role requires proficiency in data analysis, quality assurance, and the ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions. Skills in data storytelling and visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, and R are desirable. The candidate should demonstrate professionalism, effective communication, and teamwork capabilities, with a commitment to gender equality and inclusivity in the workplace.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in fields such as computer science, data science, analytics, statistics, applied mathematics, information management, or social sciences is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) combined with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in data analysis and management is required. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to perform quality assurance on data outputs and assess data accuracy through validation processes. Experience in project management and familiarity with the data life cycle, including collection, analysis, and reporting, is also desirable.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in both languages is required, with a minimum level of II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking for each language according to the UN Language Framework.

Additional Notes:
This is a Fixed Term position available for a duration of one year, with no expectation of renewal. The position is open to nationals of Togo only, and candidates must be recruited within the country or commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidates are found, Togo nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, but they will be responsible for relocation costs. The UN is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Staff members are expected to adhere to the authority of the Secretary-General and may be assigned to various functions as per organizational needs.