UNEP Regional Environmental Data Analyst

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading environmental authority within the United Nations system, established to strengthen environmental standards and practices globally. UNEP's mission is to provide leadership and foster partnerships in environmental stewardship, aiming to inspire nations and individuals to enhance their quality of life while safeguarding the environment for future generations. UNEP operates in numerous countries, engaging with various stakeholders to implement environmental obligations and promote sustainable development.

Job Overview:
The UNEP Regional Environmental Data Analyst will serve as a pivotal figure in managing internal data and coordinating information flow within UNEP's regional office. This role is essential for ensuring timely and coherent exchanges of relevant environmental indicators, analytical narratives, and statistics among technical division projects and country-level activities. The analyst will maintain strategic communication with the UN Development Coordination Office (DCO) for Latin America and the Caribbean, ensuring that UNEP's contributions are evidence-based and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and Country Analysis (UNCA) processes. The position focuses on integrating environmental data into national development priorities, particularly concerning climate change, biodiversity, and natural resource management, thereby supporting the alignment of national agendas with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Duties and Responsibilities:
The UNEP Regional Environmental Data Analyst will undertake several key responsibilities, including:

• Identifying and mapping key sources of official and non-official data at national and regional levels, acting as a central node for information coordination among various stakeholders.
• Collecting and managing essential environmental data, including statistics, indicators, and thematic maps, with a focus on national priorities such as climate change, biodiversity, and pollution.
• Analyzing datasets to identify trends, risks, gaps, and opportunities, ensuring that technical division projects are effectively linked to regional and national activities.
• Leading the internal coordination of information and analysis to develop a coherent narrative for the environmental dimension of Common Country Analyses (CCAs) and Cooperation Frameworks (CFs).
• Facilitating continuous dialogue between Regional Subprogramme Coordinators, Technical Divisions, and Resident Coordinator Offices (RCOs) to translate UNEP's specialized knowledge into impactful policy support.
• Serving as UNEP's technical interface with the DCO, ensuring synchronization of contributions with regional UN reform objectives.
• Supporting the Peer Support Group (PSG) in coordination with sister agencies to ensure robust representation of environmental dimensions in interagency strategic documents.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong analytical skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage and interpret complex datasets. Proficiency in data management software and statistical analysis tools is essential. The ideal candidate should have experience in environmental data analysis and a solid understanding of environmental issues, particularly in the context of sustainable development. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are necessary for effective collaboration with various stakeholders.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in environmental science, data science, statistics, or a related field is required. A master's degree in a relevant discipline is preferred and may enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 2-3 years of relevant experience in data analysis, environmental research, or a related field. Experience working with international organizations or in a UN context is highly desirable, as is familiarity with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and environmental policy frameworks.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, while proficiency in Spanish is highly desirable. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the region may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is a UN Volunteer role, which may involve a contract duration that aligns with project needs. The position is full-time and based in Panama City, which is recognized as a family-friendly duty station. The living conditions in Panama are generally favorable, with access to modern amenities, healthcare, and educational institutions. Candidates should be aware of health precautions in certain areas, such as malaria prevention in the Darién province.