UN 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 nations, and to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The UN Development System has undergone significant reforms since January 2019 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 achieve their development priorities under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, who acts as the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System at the country level. The Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) oversees the resident coordinator system and ensures that it is optimally configured to support the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda, focusing on data, digital innovation, and strategic foresight.

Job Overview:
The Associate Data Specialist is responsible for interacting with various stakeholders, including counterparts, officers, and technical staff in data engineering and data science. This role involves the development and implementation of databases, data collection systems, and data analytics to optimize statistical efficiency and quality. The position requires collaboration with external counterparts in UN funds, programs, and specialized agencies to exchange information and best practices. The Associate Data Specialist will also contribute to statistical capacity-building efforts and assist in the delivery of training on results-based management and evaluation techniques. This role is critical in ensuring that data-driven analysis supports the monitoring and evaluation of national statistical processes and standards, ultimately aiding in the achievement of the SDGs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for implementing databases, data collection systems, and data analytics strategies that enhance statistical efficiency and quality. Key responsibilities include identifying and analyzing trends using statistical methods, improving data analytics processes, acquiring and cleaning data from various sources, and maintaining databases. The Associate Data Specialist will contribute to integrating monitoring milestones and indicators into common data pipelines, assist in statistical capacity-building, and stay updated on data analytics best practices. Additional duties include preparing training materials, conducting data collection and preliminary analysis, supporting project execution, and performing logistical tasks for international meetings. The role also involves contributing to the design and development of data science products and monitoring model performance and data accuracy.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess 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) combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. The position requires a minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in data analysis, quality assurance, and knowledge of the data life cycle. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, SQL, or Java for data manipulation is desirable, along with the ability to communicate complex technical matters effectively.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in computer science, data science, analytics, statistics, applied mathematics, information management, data management, information systems, information science, economic or social sciences, or a related field is required. 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.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in data analysis, including quality assurance of data analysis outputs, is required. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of the data life cycle, including data collection, wrangling, analysis, visualization, deployment, monitoring, and reporting. Experience in programming languages for data manipulation and automation is also desirable, as is the ability to communicate complex technical matters to diverse audiences.

Languages:
English and Turkish are required for this position. English is the working language of the United Nations Secretariat, and candidates must demonstrate proficiency at UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Turkish is also required at the same proficiency level.

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 Türkiye only, and candidates residing outside Türkiye may be considered if no suitable local candidates are identified. The UN is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities upon request.