JOB DESCRIPTION

Org. Setting and Reporting
The UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to delivery more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an independent UN Resident Coordinator – the Representative of the UN Secretary-General and the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System at the country level – support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs. The Data Specialist establishes and maintains relationships with counterparts, senior officers and technical staff in relevant organizational units in data engineering, data science and other data specialists, data owners and subject matter experts to manage the development and implementation of the databases, data collection systems, data analytics and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality. It also establishes external relationship with the UN funds, programs and other UN specialized agencies, as well as international organizations, consultants, and NGOs to collaborate and exchange information on new products and best practices. THIS IS A FIXED TERM LIMITED POSITION. The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Uruguay, Montevideo and reports to the Senior Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader.

Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible of the following duties: 1. Manage the development and implementation of databases, data collection systems, data analytics and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality. 2. Lead identification, analysis and interpretation of trends or patterns, using statistical methods to identify relevant features and variables in structured and unstructured sources of information and data. 3. Conduct full data lifecycle analysis, including data requirements, activities and design to ensure comprehensive management and effective utilization of data throughout the data lifecycle. 4. Translate data requirements into data analysis prototype solutions and oversee their subsequent full implementation 5. Translate organizational needs into analytics and reporting requirements to support decisions, strategies and workflows with data and information. 6. Lead the data visualization work and developing visualization strategies that support organizational objectives and oversee the integration of visualizations into communication and decision-making processes. 7. Lead the implementation of data analytics projects, ensuring their technical excellence, project efficacy and their conformity with the broader business strategies and objectives. 8. Manage the development and dissemination of outreach and communications materials to enhance visibility and foster collaboration. 9. Collaborate with colleagues across departments to identify data analytics needs and support data-driven projects. 10. Communicate and interpret data analysis findings and insights in a clear and understandable manner to non-technical stakeholders. 11. Keep abreast of the current and emerging trends and developments in data analytics best practices, technologies and tools to determine areas of improvement in the organization. 12. Coordinate the evaluation of data outputs to ensure technical proficiency and alignment with the strategic goals and objectives of the organization. 13. Lead activities aimed at building capacity of staff on data analytics, including trainings for staff members and other personnel. 14. Design and/or deliver trainings and workshops on data analytics tailored to different audiences as appropriate. 15. Develop and implement the work plan, lead projects, coordinate team efforts, and ensure that milestones are achieved on time. 16. Manage and coordinate the activities of the team, including hiring, training, assigning tasks and responsibilities, evaluating performance and ensuring that deadlines are met. 17. Plan and manage required resources to implement the responsibilities, projects, and activities. 18. Manage essential resources within the allocated budget including personnel, software tools, and hardware infrastructure for building data analysis, reporting, and quality control capabilities. 19. Perform data analytics responsibilities for external and internal audits. 20. Provide guidance to team members to promote professional development and a positive team culture.

Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Working collaboratively, Strategic thinking, Analytical thinking, Active listening skills Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis on sustainable development topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing sources for data collection. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, data science, analytics, statistics, applied mathematics, information management, data management, information systems, information science or a related quantitative field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.

Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience demonstrating Knowledge of foundational concepts in data manipulation and data analysis such as data structures, statistical methods, etc. is required. Demonstrated skills in relational databases (SQL) and programming languages (Python, R) is required. Demonstrated ability in Project management skills is required. Demonstrated ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions is desirable. Demonstrated Skills in tools managing version control such as Git is desirable. Demonstrated ability to perform quality assurance of data analysis outputs is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ” Knowledge of equals a rating of’ confident” in two of the four area

Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment, such as a written test, which will be followed by a competency-based interview by phone/teleconference or face-to-face.

Special Notice
THIS IS A FIXED TERM LIMITED POSITION. Appointment or assignment against this post is for an initial period of one (1) year and any extension will be subject to availability of funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. “External candidate selected for this position will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA-limited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of “internal candidate” in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position subject to limitation will retain their current appointment status and will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position.” Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 28 February 2025, are strongly encouraged to apply: Brunei Darussalam, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Grenada, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, China, Cuba, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Turkmenistan, United States of America. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Internal Applicants – When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Contact Us” link.

United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements