UN Associate 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). The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO) play a crucial role in this transformation, acting as the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System at the country level. The Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) was established as a stand-alone office within the UN Secretariat, overseeing the resident coordinator system and ensuring alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). The DCO has undergone recalibration to support the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda, focusing on data, digital innovation, and a mission-driven organizational culture. The organization operates globally, with a commitment to sustainable development and the empowerment of countries to meet their development priorities.

Job Overview:
The Associate Data Specialist is responsible for developing and delivering data science solutions that enhance planning, decision-making, and implementation of organizational programs. This role involves designing products that provide situational awareness and predictive assessments to guide program management. The specialist will identify significant issues and opportunities for innovative approaches and evidence-based reasoning to address complex organizational challenges. As the focal point for data within the UN Country Team (UNCT), the Associate Data Specialist will coordinate monitoring and evaluation of the Cooperation Framework implementation and system reporting. The position also includes strengthening data capacity on gender-responsive data and new statistical methodologies, collaborating with various stakeholders to support data initiatives, and ensuring compliance with data governance and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will manage the implementation of data collection systems and analytics strategies to optimize statistical efficiency and quality. Responsibilities include leading the identification and analysis of trends using statistical methods, coordinating process improvements for data analytics tasks, and maintaining databases. The specialist will develop reports and dashboards to summarize findings, track progress on data initiatives, and contribute to data visualization outputs. Additional duties include assisting with data collection, preparing stakeholder communications, and keeping abreast of trends in data analytics. The role also involves contributing to the design of data science products, monitoring model performance, and building staff capacity through training and workshops. The Associate Data Specialist will support the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) cycle for the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and assist in statistical capacity-building activities.

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, 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. The position requires knowledge of sustainable development theories, data collection sources, and statistical methods. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to analyze data, make recommendations, and write reports utilizing data visualization tools. Professionalism, communication skills, and teamwork are essential competencies for this role.

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 Bachelor's degree with additional qualifying experience may be accepted as an alternative. The educational background should provide a solid foundation in data manipulation, analysis, and statistical methods, which are critical for the responsibilities of this position.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in translating business requirements into technical solutions is required. Candidates should have knowledge of data manipulation, data analysis, and the data lifecycle, particularly in the context of monitoring and evaluation. Experience with database management, data storytelling, and visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI is essential. The ability to communicate complex data matters to diverse audiences and troubleshoot data problems is also required. Desirable experience includes familiarity with data integration tools and core data science concepts.

Languages:
English is the required working language for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations, but proficiency in French is not mandatory for this role. Candidates should demonstrate effective communication skills in English, tailored to various audiences.

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 Botswana only, and candidates must be recruited within the country or commuting distance of the office. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, and the United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance in its staff. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities upon request. The recruitment process does not involve any fees, and candidates are advised to apply online as soon as possible.