UN Data Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development System was reformed on January 1, 2019, to enhance its effectiveness in achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (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. The DCO focuses on data, digital innovation, and strategic foresight to support the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda. The UN RCO in Kabul operates under the supervision of the Head of the Resident Coordinator Office, collaborating with various stakeholders to optimize data collection and analysis for development purposes.

Job Overview:
The UN Data Specialist will be responsible for developing and implementing databases, data collection systems, and analytics strategies to enhance statistical efficiency and quality. This role involves analyzing trends and patterns in data, supporting the development of monitoring and evaluation products, and collaborating with national statistical partners to track progress against the SDG indicator framework. The Data Specialist will also create reports and dashboards to summarize findings, document methodologies, and lead the production of data products. This position requires interaction with various UN agencies, NGOs, and government partners to ensure effective data management and utilization for decision-making processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will perform a wide range of duties, including but not limited to: developing and implementing databases and data collection systems; analyzing trends using statistical methods; supporting the development of monitoring and evaluation products; creating interactive data visualizations; leading the production of data reports; establishing communication with other organizational units; integrating monitoring milestones into data pipelines; supporting statistical capacity-building initiatives; conducting training on data analytics; and supervising colleagues in data-centric roles. The role also involves conducting outcome-level analysis, identifying gaps in the National Statistical System, and ensuring alignment with the Cooperation Framework and Funding Compact.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong analytical skills, proficiency in data manipulation and analysis, and experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau and Power BI. Knowledge of statistical methods and data life cycle management is essential. The ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with diverse teams is also required. Candidates should demonstrate professionalism, strategic thinking, and the ability to assess data accuracy and consistency. Skills in relational databases and programming languages such as SQL, Python, and R are necessary for this role.

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. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) combined 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 manipulation and analysis is required. Candidates should have demonstrated knowledge of data life cycle processes, including data collection, analysis, visualization, and reporting. Experience in project management and developing training programs is desirable, as is familiarity with data storytelling and visualization tools.

Languages:
English is required at UN Level II proficiency, while Pashto and Dari are also required at the same level. Candidates should be able to read, write, listen, and speak these languages effectively to fulfill the job requirements.

Additional Notes:
This is a Fixed Term position for a duration of one year, with no expectation of renewal. The position is open to nationals of Afghanistan only, and candidates must have a national context. The UN is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process will include a substantive assessment and a competency-based interview. The UN does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.