UN 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 nations, and to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The UN Development System has undergone significant reforms to enhance its effectiveness in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 203

• The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (RCO) play a crucial role in supporting countries to meet their development priorities and implement the SDGs. The UN operates in numerous countries worldwide, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to various missions and initiatives.

Job Overview:
The UN Data Specialist position is integral to the UN Resident Coordinator Office in Damascus, Syria. The role focuses on developing and implementing databases, data collection systems, and data analytics to enhance statistical efficiency and quality. The Data Specialist will work closely with various stakeholders, including UN agencies, NGOs, and national statistical partners, to ensure effective data management and analysis. This position requires a strong understanding of data engineering, data science, and statistical methods to identify trends and improve data processes. The Data Specialist will also contribute to the development of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) products, ensuring alignment with national SDG frameworks and facilitating data-driven decision-making.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Data Specialist will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including: developing and implementing databases and data collection systems; analyzing and interpreting data trends using statistical methods; creating reports and dashboards to summarize findings; documenting methodologies and establishing standards for data practices; leading the production of data products such as reports and newsletters; collaborating with data engineers and scientists to enhance data quality; conducting training sessions on data analytics and results-based management; and supporting the integration of monitoring milestones into common data pipelines. The role also involves supervising colleagues in data-centric roles and ensuring effective resource use in project execution.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in fields such as computer science, data science, statistics, or social sciences. A first-level university degree combined with additional qualifying experience may be accepted. An active certificate in relevant areas such as data engineering or cloud platforms is desirable. Candidates should demonstrate strong skills in data storytelling and visualization tools, as well as experience in quality assurance of data analysis outputs. Knowledge of the data life cycle, relational databases, and programming languages is essential for this role.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in computer science, data science, analytics, statistics, applied mathematics, information management, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in data analysis, project management, or related fields is required. Candidates should have demonstrated skills in data visualization tools and experience in providing strategic support for research and data analysis. Familiarity with digital collaboration platforms and experience in coordinating data processes with multiple stakeholders are also important.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is required for this position. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both languages, meeting the UN Level III standards for each skill.

Additional Notes:
This is a fixed-term position with an initial appointment of one year, subject to availability of funds and budgetary approval. The position is open to nationals of Syria only, and candidates residing outside Syria may be considered if no suitable local candidates are identified. The UN is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Staff members are expected to adhere to the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities.