Assistant Data Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, currently comprising 193 member states. Its mission is to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations, and to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The UN Development System has undergone significant reforms since January 1, 2019, aimed at enhancing 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 supporting countries to meet their development priorities, led by an empowered UN Resident Coordinator who represents the UN Secretary-General at the country level. The UN operates in numerous countries worldwide, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to various missions and initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Assistant Data Specialist position is integral to the UN Resident Coordination Office in Pyongyang, North Korea. This role focuses on data engineering, data science, and analytics, assisting in the development and implementation of databases and data collection systems that enhance statistical efficiency and quality. The incumbent will collaborate with various stakeholders, including UN funds, programs, and NGOs, to exchange information and best practices. The position requires a proactive approach to data management and analytics, supporting the UN's mission to achieve sustainable development goals through informed decision-making and effective communication of data insights. The Assistant Data Specialist will report to the Senior Development Coordination Officer and will be involved in various data-related tasks, including data collection, analysis, and visualization, contributing to the overall success of the UN's initiatives in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Assistant Data Specialist will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Supporting the implementation of databases and data collection systems to optimize statistical efficiency and quality.
• Assisting in identifying and analyzing trends or patterns in data using statistical methods.
• Implementing process improvements for data analytics tasks and maintaining databases.
• Developing reports, dashboards, and tools to summarize findings for management.
• Tracking progress on department-specific data initiatives.
• Creating data visualization outputs to aid decision-making.
• Supporting project tasks, data collection, and initial analysis, while reporting unresolved issues to senior staff.
• Producing data products such as reports or newsletters related to data analysis.
• Gathering business requirements across departments to identify pain points for data-driven analysis. 1
• Compiling data insights and developing materials for stakeholder communications. 1
• Keeping abreast of trends in data analytics best practices and technologies. 1
• Assisting in data preparation and preliminary analysis for model assessments. 1
• Supporting capacity-building activities for staff on data analytics, including training sessions. 1
• Assisting in administrative aspects of the work plan. 1
• Performing other related tasks as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong foundation in data manipulation and analysis, with knowledge of statistical methods and data life cycle processes. Proficiency in relational databases (SQL) and programming languages such as Python and R is desirable. Skills in project management and version control tools like Git are also advantageous. The role requires a professional demeanor, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to gender equality and inclusivity in their work.

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 a related quantitative discipline is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in data manipulation and analysis is required. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of foundational concepts in data analysis, including data collection, wrangling, visualization, and reporting. Experience with statistical methods and data life cycle management is essential, along with demonstrated skills in relevant programming languages and database management.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, is considered an advantage. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas: reading, writing, speaking, and understanding, while 'knowledge of' indicates a confident rating in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
This is a fixed-term limited position, with an initial appointment period of one year, subject to availability of funds and budgetary approval. The position is open only to nationals of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Candidates residing outside the country may be considered if no suitable local candidates are identified, but they will be responsible for relocation costs. The UN is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. All applicants must adhere to the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, and will be subject to reference checks to verify their qualifications.