UN Associate 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 (UN RCO) play a crucial role in this reform, led by an independent UN Resident Coordinator who represents the UN Secretary-General at the country level. The Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) was transformed into a stand-alone office to oversee the resident coordinator system, ensuring 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 San Salvador is part of this global initiative, working towards the development priorities of El Salvador and the attainment of the SDGs.

Job Overview:
The Associate Data Specialist is responsible for interacting with various stakeholders, including counterparts, technical staff, and external partners, to develop and implement databases, data collection systems, and data analytics that enhance statistical efficiency and quality. This role involves maintaining UN Info and collaborating with UN funds, programs, and NGOs to exchange information and best practices. The incumbent will contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) products for UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks, ensuring that data-driven insights inform decision-making processes. The position requires keeping abreast of digital tools and dashboards that track progress against national SDG indicators, as well as contributing to the creation of reports and data visualization outputs to summarize findings effectively. The Associate Data Specialist will also assist in building statistical capacity within the UN Country Team (UNCT) and contribute to training initiatives on data analytics and results-based management.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Associate Data Specialist will perform a variety of duties, including implementing databases and data collection systems, analyzing trends using statistical methods, and improving data analytics processes. Responsibilities also include acquiring and cleaning data, developing monitoring and evaluation products, and creating reports and dashboards. The incumbent will track progress on data initiatives, contribute to data visualization outputs, and assist with data collection and analysis for project tasks. Additionally, the role involves supporting the integration of monitoring milestones into data pipelines, conducting outcome-level analysis, and identifying gaps in the National Statistical System (NSS). The Associate Data Specialist will also contribute to training staff on data analytics and results-based management, and assist in the delivery of workshops and data clinics.

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. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. The role requires a minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in research, data analysis, or project management in development cooperation. Candidates should demonstrate strategic support capabilities, quality assurance of data analysis outputs, and knowledge of data manipulation and analysis concepts. Familiarity with the data life cycle, including collection, analysis, and reporting, is essential, along with the ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in relevant 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 or equivalent) may be accepted in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience. This educational background ensures that candidates have the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to perform effectively in the role.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in areas such as research, data analysis, knowledge management, or project/programme management, particularly in the context of development cooperation. Experience in quality assurance of data analysis outputs and assessing data accuracy through validation is desirable. Knowledge of foundational concepts in data manipulation and analysis, as well as familiarity with the data life cycle, is required. The ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions is also a key aspect of the required experience.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Spanish is required for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency at UN Level III for reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both languages. Knowledge of French is considered an asset but is not mandatory for this role.

Additional Notes:
This is a fixed-term position with an initial appointment period of one year, subject to availability of funds and budgetary approval. The position is open to nationals of El Salvador only, and candidates must be recruited within the country or commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidates are found, nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, but they will be responsible for travel and relocation costs. 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 throughout their careers. The recruitment process is free of charge, and the United Nations does not request fees at any stage.