Data Analytics and Cognitive Head

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. WFP Technology Division is the digital business engine of the World Food Programme, providing the business with multi-pronged and resilient technical capabilities able to respond with the agility required in humanitarian operations. The Technology Division (TEC) continues to increase its activities to meet the constantly growing demand from the organization and implement initiatives related to information technology.

WFP’s Global Data Strategy, in alignment with the Information & Technology Strategy, expresses the vision to harness the power of analytics, automation, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate improved insights and support evidence generation across WFP. The role of the Head of Analytics and Cognitive is to turn the Data Strategy vision into action and lead the direction of WFP’s enterprise analytics and AI initiatives in driving improved decision-making across the organization. The role will use dynamic data squads to engage and leverage WFP’s data champions to accelerate the cohesive development of data and science to produce modern solutions for WFP operations and activities.

Reporting to the Chief Data Officer, the Head of Analytics and Cognitive will be responsible for transforming complex technical approaches into practical steps which can support Country Offices, Regional Bureaux, and HQ units as they transform their current state practices into modern data and analytics approaches. In addition, working with a broad spectrum of teams across WFP and TEC Division, the incumbent is required to ensure alignment with strategies, governance, security, operationalizing best practices and protection relating to data and AI.

Accountabilities responsibilities:

• WFP Senior Management Team engagement on Analytics and AI providing thought leadership and guidance on key concerns and opportunities.
• Consensus-building with teams across WFP to ensure the agreed upon standards and guidance for analytics and AI are in alignment with tactical practices.
• Design, implement and roll-out the next generation analytics enterprise framework for WFP seamlessly incorporating AI and ML and fully utilizes data platforms and data products.
• Coaching and mentorship of team members.
• Create and implement the roadmap for enterprise data and AI platforms.
• Ensure data platforms are available for end-users and supported by maintenance activities.
• Advisory and support for Country Office teams.
• Oversight of data and analytics project implementation towards alignment with enterprise analytics framework.
• Recruitment and management of TEC data analysts and data scientists.
• Ensure creation and monitoring of key performance metrics for data and AI initiatives.

Deliverables:

• Senior Management advocacy and knowledge path development.
• Provide oversight on implementation and alignment of Data and AI Strategy in the team activities.
• Design and build next generation enterprise analytics framework and capabilities including data modelling, and semantic layers ensuring access especially at CO level.
• Maintain data platform and business intelligence platform operationally. Review and provide approvals on use cases for analytics, AI and ML.
• Technology landscape review inputs to Enterprise Architecture team to ensure complementary technology selection.
• Manage team activities and deliverables and provide coaching and mentoring to team members.

Qualifications & Experience Required:

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, data science, analytics, statistics, information management, public administration, management, business, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• 10-12 years of progressively responsible experience in developing advanced analytics practices and teams and implementing applied analytics, business intelligence, information management, statistics, is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in leading Artificial Intelligence projects from initiation to full roll-out.
• Demonstrated experience working with senior level stakeholders to obtain business goals, vision and direction for advanced analytics and artificial intelligence strategies.
• Demonstrated experience working with indicators, visualization layers and reporting infrastructure.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, manage, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy. The ability to analyse, model and interpret data in support of decision-making, and convey information succinctly to management. Adept at queries, report writing and presenting findings. Ability to quality-check work completed by other team members.
• Hands-on experience in delivering analytics and AI projects and initiatives.
• Ability to link Enterprise and Data architecture and governance with data modelling and analytics/business intelligence requirements.
• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style, and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Proven skills in working towards a common goal in a team of diverse skills, experience, and cultural backgrounds, with heavy emphasis towards business and non-technical team members. Particularly important is the ability to work remotely and continue to ensure alignment on activities and goals.
• Excellent organization and project management skills.
• Collaborative hands-on team member and relationship-builder with a facilitative nature and strong business partnering skills towards colleagues and stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to handling multiple tasks/work streams in a timely manner and flexible with shifting priorities.
• Committed to excellence and customer-centric mindset.

Source: https://wd3.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/wfp/job_openings/job/Rome-Italy/Data-Analytics-and-Cognitive-Head_JR108662