Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines seeks to strengthen its assistance to the government and key stakeholders as they aim to harness digitalization to improve public services and support inclusive socioeconomic development. It established the Pintig Lab as its in-house analytics unit that also leverages its multidisciplinary network of practitioners of data for decision-making. Pintig Lab aims to ensure that: 1) data-driven policymaking is promoted, 2) the capacity of partners in government, civil society, and within the UNDP country office to use data for decision-making is increased, and 3) the data ecosystem for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is strengthened.
Pintig Lab was founded in 2020 to assist the government in bolstering its use of data for COVID19 pandemic response and recovery. Through the years, the service offering of Pintig Lab has necessarily evolved from the application of advanced data analytics tools and towards building robust data systems and accompanying partners in their respective digital transformation journeys. Over the last two years, the interventions of Pintig Lab in digitalization and analytics have expanded into various domains.
Pintig Lab has active and forthcoming engagements in 2024 in local disaster resilience, climate and SDG finance, enterprise development, and democratic governance and institutions, among others. On local disaster resilience, for instance, Pintig Lab works closely with the UNDP Climate Action Programme Team (CAPT) to support policy research and digitalization support on risk-informed planning and increasing investments in resilience through exploring and integrating non-traditional datasets, co-developing mock-up dashboards and platforms, and conducting policy research.
UNDP Pintig Lab requires the services of a Data Analyst who shall provide technical inputs and expertise in the data analysis and management for the Pintig Lab’s priority work streams as well as other data related components and projects. The Data Analyst will, in particular, ensure that policy research insights are disseminated to spur discussions among a wide audience on various policy issues such as the dividends of resilience investments; that digitalization efforts are supported by human centered design processes, and that partners’ knowledge on data governance for sustainable development is strengthened.
Overall supervision will be provided by the UNDP Impact Advisory Team Leader while day-to-day supervision shall be performed by Pintig Lab Project Manager with oversight from the Economist (as head of IAT). The Data Analyst shall also collaborate closely with the key members of the IAT and Pintig Lab and other UNDP staff and consultants.
UNDP Philippines shall be entitled to intellectual property and other proprietary rights over all materials that have direct relation to the project produced from the functions of Data Analyst.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Interpret and analyse data using appropriate statistical and analytical techniques focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Clean and manipulate raw data and prepare them for analysis;
- Conduct exploratory data analysis (identify variance within data, look at novel ways to examine the data to tell different stories, explore multiple datasets for trends or outliers);
- Highlight data trends and analytic opportunities that can drive program innovations;
- Communicate and present findings from data analysis to range of audiences, this includes supporting knowledge sharing activities with internal and external partners;
- Establish appropriate systems and processes with the team for managing, analysing and presenting data.
- Develop and implement databases, data collection system, data analytics and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality;
- Participate in planning and implementing capacity building activities focusing on the above themes which includes activity design, development of training materials, and participation as resource speaker; and
- Conduct data analysis and writing for policy publications. The Data Analyst will be working with the IAT Economist and other team members in these publications.
Support effective resource utilization and partnerships to enable timely and high-impact delivery focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Locate and define new process improvement opportunities;
- Develop recommendations for structuring and collecting data for program monitoring and evaluation;
- Identify new data sources and translate a range of datasets into easily accessible and useful information that supports program objectives e.g. through maps, dashboards, benchmarking techniques, BI tools, visualisation;
- Identify and collaborate with new potential partners of the project, and maintain productive relationships with existing partners, to ensure high impact delivery;
- Provide technical inputs in drafting terms of references (TORs), technical specifications, and/or programs of work; and
- Coordinate closely with project consultants, contractors, and suppliers and oversee their timeliness and quality.
Primary support for knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Identification of sources of information related to programme implementation related issues;
- Identification and synthesis of good practices and lessons learned directly linked to the project;
- Support in maintaining an effective network with development partners and Government at national level and subnational level which includes conceptualization of and coordination for policy advocacy events;
- Conduct of quality assurance for all knowledge projects which includes checking technical soundness, compliance with UNDP knowledge product policies in terms of language, design, and protocols; and
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Provide insights on and apply gender mainstreaming in all work, especially in data and knowledge management.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies:
Core competencies:
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Direction & Strategy
- System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Digital & Innovation
- Data analysis: Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including real-time data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making.
- Data collection: Being skilled in data sorting, data cleaning, survey administration, presentation and reporting including collection of real-time data (e.g. mobile data, satellite data, sensor data).
- Data storytelling and communications: Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion.
- Data governance: Knowledge of data science, skills to develop data management tools, organize and maintain databases and operate data visualization technologies.
- Digital business analysis: Ability to support digital business processes across a range of digital projects, programmes and activities.
2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness
- SDG integration: SDG monitoring and reporting
Required Skills and Experience:
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in data science or closely related fields such as analytics, computer science, statistics, information technology, innovation or related area is required, or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with four (4) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Minimum of two (2) years (with Master´s degree) or four (4) years (with Bachelor´s degree) of professional experience in data research, management and/or analytics.
- Proficiency in at least one programming language and/or data analytic tool
- Expertise in R, Python and/or SQL is an advantage
- Expertise in Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, and/ or Qlik Sense is an advantage
- Previous working experience with International organization and with government agencies is advantageous.
Required Languages:
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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