Data Analyst

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, which includes various agencies and programs, aims to support countries in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) and improving the quality of life for people worldwide. The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (RCO) play a crucial role in this mission by coordinating the efforts of different UN entities at the country level. The UN RCO in Samoa is specifically focused on supporting the nation in its development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs, leveraging the expertise of various UN agencies and fostering collaboration with local stakeholders.

Job Overview:
The Data Analyst position is integral to the UN Resident Coordinator Office in Samoa, focusing on enhancing data-driven decision-making processes. The role involves collaborating with various stakeholders, including data engineers, scientists, and external partners, to develop and implement effective data collection systems and analytics strategies. The Data Analyst will be responsible for optimizing statistical efficiency and quality, identifying trends and patterns in data, and creating reports and visualizations to communicate findings to management. This position requires a strong understanding of data analytics, statistical methods, and the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights. The Data Analyst will also play a key role in building the capacity of staff through training and workshops, ensuring that the organization remains at the forefront of data analytics best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Data Analyst will perform a wide range of duties, including but not limited to:

• Developing and implementing databases and data collection systems to enhance statistical efficiency and quality.
• Analyzing and interpreting data trends using statistical methods to identify relevant features in both structured and unstructured data sources.
• Creating reports, dashboards, and other tools to summarize findings and effectively communicate information to management.
• Documenting requirements and methodologies, establishing standards for data documentation.
• Leading the production of data products such as reports and newsletters related to data analysis activities.
• Collaborating with other organizational units to request data and express data needs.
• Keeping abreast of emerging trends in data analytics and updating management with findings.
• Conducting training sessions for staff on data analytics and ensuring adherence to best practices.
• Supervising and guiding colleagues in data-centric roles, ensuring effective project execution and resource utilization. 1
• Supporting the development of materials for audits through data preparation and compliance tracking.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong foundation in data manipulation and analysis, with demonstrated skills in data storytelling and visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, Qlik, and R. The ability to perform quality assurance on data analysis outputs and assess data accuracy through validation processes is essential. Additionally, candidates should have a solid understanding of database management and the ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions. Strong analytical thinking, strategic planning, and effective communication skills are also required to succeed in this role.

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 field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is considered an advantage.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in data manipulation and analysis is required. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of foundational concepts in data analysis, including statistical methods and data structures. Experience in data visualization and storytelling, as well as the ability to perform quality assurance on data outputs, is essential. Familiarity with database management and the ability to assess data accuracy and consistency is desirable.

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

Additional Notes:
This position is open to nationals of Samoa only, and the appointment is for an initial period of one year, subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. The role is categorized as a National Professional Officer position, meaning candidates must be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. If no suitable local candidates are identified, SAMOA nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, with the candidate responsible for any travel and relocation costs. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance in its workforce and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization also emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its recruitment process.