Associate Data Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, currently comprising 193 member states. Its mission is to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among countries, and to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The UN Development System, which includes various agencies and programs, aims to support countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by providing technical assistance, policy advice, and capacity building. The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO) play a crucial role in this system, ensuring that the UN's development efforts are coordinated and aligned with national priorities. The UN RCOs are led by UN Resident Coordinators, who are the highest-ranking UN officials in their respective countries, and are responsible for overseeing the implementation of the UN's development agenda. The UN has a presence in over 160 countries and territories, employing thousands of staff members worldwide, and is committed to promoting gender equality and diversity within its workforce.

Job Overview:
The Associate Data Specialist position is designed to support the UN's mission by contributing to the development and delivery of data science solutions that enhance planning, decision-making, and program implementation. This role involves working closely with various organizational units to build data models, conduct data analysis, and ensure compliance with data governance and security standards. The Associate Data Specialist will also engage with external partners, including UN funds, programs, research institutes, and NGOs, to share best practices and stay updated on new data products and services. The position is critical for enabling the UN to leverage data effectively in its efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, as it involves identifying significant issues and opportunities for innovative approaches to complex organizational challenges. The role requires a strong understanding of data analytics, statistical methods, and the ability to communicate complex data insights to diverse audiences.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Data Specialist include:

• Implementing databases, data collection systems, and data analytics strategies to optimize statistical efficiency and quality.
• Analyzing and interpreting trends or patterns in data using statistical methods.
• Improving processes for data analytics tasks and maintaining databases.
• Developing reports, dashboards, and tools to summarize findings for management.
• Tracking and reporting on progress regarding specific data initiatives.
• Creating data visualization outputs to aid decision-making.
• Assisting with data collection and initial analysis for project tasks.
• Producing data products such as reports or newsletters related to data analysis activities.
• Gathering business requirements across departments to support data-driven analysis. 1
• Compiling data insights and preparing materials for stakeholder communications. 1
• Staying informed about trends and developments in data analytics best practices. 1
• Supporting the preparation and verification of data used in model assessments. 1
• Designing and developing data science products to reveal insights through advanced analytical methods. 1
• Monitoring and analyzing model performance and data accuracy. 1
• Building staff capacity on data analytics through training and workshops. 1
• Supporting team members in data verification and routine reporting tasks. 1
• Performing other related tasks as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires 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. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Candidates must demonstrate knowledge and skills in translating business requirements into technical solutions, as well as foundational concepts in data manipulation and analysis. Proficiency in database management and data storytelling is essential, along with the ability to communicate complex technical matters to diverse audiences. Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, and R is required, while knowledge of data integration tools is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as computer science, data science, analytics, statistics, applied mathematics, information management, or social sciences. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) may be accepted if combined with two additional years of qualifying experience. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of data science and analytics, as well as for effectively contributing to the UN's data initiatives.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in data analysis, data manipulation, and translating business requirements into technical solutions is required. Candidates should have a solid understanding of the data lifecycle, including data collection, wrangling, analysis, visualization, and reporting. Experience in troubleshooting and solving complex data problems is essential, as is the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences. Familiarity with core data science concepts, including statistics and predictive modeling, is desirable, along with experience in using data integration tools such as Jupyter, Matlab, and SPSS.

Languages:
For this position, proficiency in English and Arabic is required, with a minimum level of proficiency at UN Level II for reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Knowledge of French is also beneficial but not mandatory. The ability to communicate effectively in these languages is crucial for collaboration within the UN and with external partners.

Additional Notes:
This is a Fixed Term position available for a duration of one year, with no expectation of renewal. The appointment is subject to budgetary approval and the availability of the post. The position is open to nationals of Egypt only, and candidates must be recruited within the country or commuting distance of the office. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, as the UN is committed to achieving gender balance in its workforce. The recruitment process does not involve any fees, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities upon request.