UN Data Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development System was restructured on January 1, 2019, under the leadership of the UN Secretary-General to enhance its effectiveness in achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This reform led to the establishment of the UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), which are tasked with supporting countries in their development priorities. The UN Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) was transformed into a stand-alone office to oversee the resident coordinator system, ensuring that it is optimally configured to support the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda. The DCO focuses on data, digital innovation, and strategic foresight to foster a mission-driven organizational culture. The UN RCO in Georgetown, Guyana, is part of this global initiative, working under the supervision of the Head of the Resident Coordinator Office to facilitate the implementation of development strategies and data-driven decision-making.

Job Overview:
The UN Data Specialist plays a crucial role in the UN RCO by developing and implementing databases, data collection systems, and data analytics that enhance statistical efficiency and quality. This position requires interaction with various stakeholders, including UN funds, programs, and NGOs, to exchange information and best practices. The Data Specialist is responsible for identifying trends and patterns in data, developing monitoring and evaluation products, and ensuring that data collection aligns with national SDG frameworks. The role also involves creating reports and dashboards to summarize findings, documenting methodologies, and leading the production of data products. The Data Specialist must stay updated on data analytics trends and conduct training sessions to build capacity among staff and partners. This position is integral to supporting the UN's mission of sustainable development through effective data management and analysis.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Data Specialist will perform a variety of duties, including: developing and implementing databases and data collection systems; analyzing and interpreting data trends; creating reports and dashboards; documenting methodologies; leading data product production; collaborating with data engineers and scientists; conducting outcome-level analysis; identifying gaps in the National Statistical System (NSS); supporting statistical capacity-building; delivering training on data analytics; supervising colleagues in data-centric roles; and ensuring effective resource use in project execution. The role also involves establishing communication with other organizational units to request data, integrating monitoring milestones into data pipelines, and supporting audits through data preparation and compliance tracking. The Data Specialist must ensure that all activities align with the UN's strategic objectives and contribute to the overall mission of sustainable development.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in fields such as computer science, data science, analytics, statistics, applied mathematics, information management, or social sciences. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, an active certificate in relevant areas such as data engineering or cloud platforms is desirable. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical skills, proficiency in data visualization tools, and the ability to perform quality assurance on data outputs. Experience in providing strategic support in research, data analysis, or project management is also required.

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, economics, or social sciences is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) 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, data management, or related fields is required. Candidates should have demonstrated skills in data storytelling and proficiency in data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or Qlik. Experience in conducting training programs and knowledge management in the context of development cooperation is desirable. Knowledge of the data life cycle, including data collection, analysis, and reporting, is essential for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is the working language of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is also beneficial. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking English at UN Level II according to the UN Language Framework.

Additional Notes:
This is a fixed-term position available for a duration of one year, with no expectation of renewal. The position is open only to nationals of Guyana, and candidates residing outside Guyana may be considered if no suitable local candidates are identified. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Staff members are expected to adhere to the authority of the Secretary-General and may be assigned to various functions as needed. The recruitment process does not involve any fees, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities.