Data Specialist Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), which is a regional arm of the United Nations focused on promoting economic and social development in African countries. Established in 1958, ECA aims to foster the economic and social development of its member states, enhance cooperation and integration among them, and promote the sustainable development of the continent. ECA operates in multiple countries across Africa, working with various stakeholders to improve data collection, analysis, and dissemination to inform policy decisions. The organization employs a diverse workforce dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by African nations.

Job Overview:
The Data Specialist Consultant will play a crucial role in the project titled 'Advancing Data Integration, Innovation and Capacity in Africa,' which is implemented by ECA in collaboration with the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD). The primary goal of this project is to strengthen the African statistical ecosystem, which is currently fragmented and under-resourced, thereby limiting the timely production and dissemination of high-quality, policy-relevant data. The consultant will be responsible for providing hands-on technical support throughout the data lifecycle, from data engineering to analytics and AI-enabled applications. This position requires the design and implementation of core data workflows, the integration of high-impact datasets into the UN Data Commons schema, and the development of interactive Analytical Hubs that facilitate data exploration and visualization. The consultant will also be tasked with creating an AI-driven prototype to generate data-driven policy briefs, ensuring that the insights derived from the data are actionable and relevant for decision-makers.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties will include:

• Designing and implementing core data engineering workflows, identifying and integrating 7–12 high-impact regional and national datasets into the UN Data Commons schema.
• Collecting, structuring, cleaning, and preprocessing datasets from various sources to ensure data quality and adherence to governance practices.
• Translating technical specifications into data models and optimizing database performance through query tuning.
• Developing and maintaining relevant database objects, including stored procedures and indexes.
• Co-designing, developing, and testing two thematic Analytical Hubs as interactive web-based dashboards with advanced visualization features.
• Creating an AI-enabled prototype for producing data-driven policy briefs and establishing workflows for data engineering and machine learning operations.
• Developing a data harvesting system to document statistical publications and datasets from National Statistical Systems in Africa.
• Collaborating with domain experts and technical team members to translate user needs into effective technical solutions.
• Producing clear technical documentation for the end-to-end system and contributing to capacity development programs for National Statistical Offices (NSOs).

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an Advanced University Degree (Master's Degree or above) in statistics, engineering, information systems, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in statistics, engineering, information systems, or a related field is required. Extensive experience with the entire data lifecycle, including frontend and backend web development, data engineering, data analysis, and data visualization is essential. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and SQL is required for tasks related to data cleaning, pipeline automation, and database management. Familiarity with frontend technologies (e.g., JavaScript, HTML/CSS, TypeScript) and dashboard/visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) is also desirable. Proven experience in managing large datasets and solving complex data engineering problems is a significant advantage. Knowledge of open-source tech stacks is beneficial and aligns with the project's strategy to minimize vendor lock-in.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an Advanced University Degree (Master's Degree or above) in statistics, engineering, information systems, or a related field. In cases where candidates hold a first-level university degree, they must also have two years of relevant work experience to qualify for the position. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of data management and analytics within the context of the project.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in fields such as statistics, engineering, or information systems. This experience should encompass the entire data lifecycle, including data engineering, analytics, and visualization. Familiarity with both frontend and backend development processes is essential, as well as experience in managing large datasets and solving complex data engineering challenges. The ability to work collaboratively with technical teams and domain experts is also crucial for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this consultancy position, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is also beneficial, as it is another working language of the UN. Proficiency in additional UN official languages is considered an advantage, enhancing communication and collaboration within the diverse international environment of the organization.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for a duration of 6 months, with the possibility of working remotely depending on specific contractual arrangements. 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 is committed to ensuring a transparent and fair recruitment process, and it does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.