ASSOCIATE DATA SPECIALIST, NOB

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 deliver 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 empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator - the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at country level - support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs. In its Resolution A/RES/72/279, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the transformation of the Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) as a stand-alone coordination office within the United Nations Secretariat. DCO exercises managerial and oversight functions of the resident coordinator system under the oversight of the Chair of United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). In 2026, DCO undertook a recalibration to ensure the RC system remains optimally configured to support the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda and embodies the UN 2.0 shift- anchored in data, digital, innovation, behavioral science, strategic foresight, and a mission driven organizational culture. The Associate Data Specialist contributes to the development and delivery of data science solutions to better enable the planning, decision making, and implementation of organization programmes. It contributes to the design of the products that provide situational awareness, insight, and predictive assessment to guide programme management and execution. It also contributes to identifying significant issues and opportunities to implement innovative approaches and evidence-based reasoning to complex organizational issues. This role contributes to interacting with counterparts and technical staff in relevant organizational units in data analytics, data engineer, data owners and subject matter experts to support data initiatives through building data models to be used in data analysis, prediction in support of organization's requirements and compliance with data governance, protection and security needs. It also contributes to external relationship with the UN funds, programs and other UN specialized agencies, research institutes and business industry, consultants, and NGOs to collaborate and exchange best practices and to update on new products or services. This position is located within the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator (Head RCO) in Cairo, Egypt, and reports to the Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority the incumbent will support on inter-agency UNCT groups, track the Cooperation Framework and perform the following duties: 1. Implement databases, data collection systems, data analytics and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality. 2. Contribute to the identification, analysis and interpretation of trends or patterns, using statistical methods to identify relevant features and variables in structured sources of information and data. 3. Implement process improvement mechanisms for data analytics tasks; acquire and clean data from primary or secondary sources and maintain databases/data systems. 4. Contribute to the development of reports, dashboards or other tools to effectively summarize findings and convey information to management. 5. Track and report on progress regarding department specific data initiatives. 6. Contribute to the creation of basic data visualization outputs to aid decision-making and communications of analysis outputs. 7. Contribute to project tasks, assist with data collection and initial analysis, and report unresolved issues to senior staff. 8. Contribute to the production of data products like reports or newsletters related to data analysis activities. 9. Contribute to data collection and gathering business requirements across departments to identify pain points and support data-driven analysis. 10. Compile and clarify data insights and develop supporting materials in preparation for stakeholder communications. 11. Keep abreast of the current and emerging trends and developments in data analytics best practices, technologies, tools, etc. 12. Contribute to data collection and preliminary analysis to support the preparation and verification of data used in model assessments. 13. Contribute to the design and development of data science products to reveal insights and to provide an understanding or knowledge of the data that would otherwise not be detected without the application of advanced analytical methods such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, data and text mining, natural language processing, statistics, and use of relevant algorithms and computational approaches. 14. Contribute to the development of processes and tools to monitor and analyze model performance and data accuracy. 15. Contribute to activities aimed at building capacity of staff on data analytics, including trainings for staff members and other personnel. 16. Contribute to the trainings and workshops on data analytics. 17. Contribute to data preparation and preliminary analysis, support team members in data verification and routine reporting tasks, help in administrative aspects of the work plan. 18. Perform other related tasks as assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to identify and develop sources for data collection. Ability to undertake research, analyze data, make recommendations and write draft reports on sustainable development issues. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. COMMUNICATION: 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. 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.

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, economic or social sciences, or a related field, is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) 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 two (2) years of progressively responsible experience demonstrating the knowledge, skills and ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions, is required. Knowledge of foundational concepts in data manipulation and data analysis such as data structures and statistical methods is required. Knowledge of the data lifecycle including data collection, data wrangling, analysis, visualization, deployment, monitoring, and reporting is required. Knowledge in database management to extract, transform, and load data from various sources is required. Demonstrated skills in data storytelling and data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, Qlik, and R is required. Demonstrated ability to trouble-shoot and solve complex data problems, is required. Demonstrated experience and skills to communicate complex and technical matters to diverse audiences is required. Experience and knowledge of core data science and analytics concepts, including statistics and predictive modelling is desirable. Demonstrated skills in data integration tools such as Jupyter, Matlab, Knime, SPSS, and SAS is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Arabic is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIArabicUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level II 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 or teleconference. Special Notice This is a Fixed Term position. Appointment against this position is available for a duration of one (1) year and does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal. The appointment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. THIS RECRUITMENT REMAINS SUBJECT TO BUDGETARY, CLASSIFICATION, AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS. The United Nations secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF EGYPT ONLY. National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, EGYPT nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to EGYPT in the event of an employment offer. 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. Note to current staff members at the General Service level: Locally recruited General Service staff members applying for this post must meet the minimum requirements, including academic qualifications and years of relevant experience. 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