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 enables evidence-based decision-making by managing and improving data, monitoring and reporting systems, assuring the quality and interoperability of results and SDG data, as well as producing recurring data and visualization products. The role interacts with counterparts, officers and technical staff in relevant organisational units in data engineering, data science and other data specialists, data owners as well as monitoring and reporting and other relevant subject matter experts for the development and implementation of the databases, data collection systems and data analytics that optimize statistical efficiency and quality. The role also interacts with external counterparts in the UN funds, programs and other UN specialized agencies, consultants, and NGOs to collaborate and exchange information and best practices. The role supports thematic officers with validated evidence and initial interpretation as requested, while substantive policy interpretation and recommendations remain with the relevant portfolio lead. The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Asuncion, Paraguay, under the supervision of the Head of the Resident Coordinator Office.

Responsibilities

1. DEVELOP, MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE DATA SYSTEMS, ANALYTICAL PROCESSES AND VISUALIZATION PRODUCTS THAT SUPPORT EVIDENCE-BASED DECISION-MAKING AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE. • Implement databases, data collection systems, data analytics and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality. • 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. • Implement process improvement mechanisms for data analytics tasks; acquire and clean data from primary or secondary sources and maintain databases/data systems. • 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. • Assist with activities for monitoring, evaluation and learning cycle to support the MEL group and national counterparts—so that planning, data collection, synthesis, validation and learning loops reinforce monitoring and support national statistical processes and standards. • Contribute to the development of reports, dashboards or other tools to effectively summarize findings and convey information to management. • Track and report on progress regarding department specific data initiatives. • Contribute to the creation of basic data visualization outputs to aid decision-making and communications of analysis outputs. • Contribute to the production of data products like reports or newsletters related to data analysis activities. • Contribute to data collection and gathering business requirements across departments to identify pain points and support data-driven analysis. • Compile and clarify data insights and develop supporting materials in preparation for stakeholder communications. • Keep abreast of the current and emerging trends and developments in data analytics best practices, technologies, tools etc., and assist with identifying findings and suggestions. • Contribute to data collection and preliminary analysis to support the preparation and verification of data used in model assessments. 2. SUPPORT THE DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING OF THE UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION FRAMEWORK (UNSDCF). • Contribute to the development of monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) products for UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks using approved indicators and tools. • Contribute to the activities for integrating monitoring milestones, indicators and evidence streams into common data pipelines based on the Cooperation Framework and Funding Compact. • Assist in conducting outcome-level analysis and contribution/attribution studies using mixed methods to inform UN reporting and UN-commissioned evaluations. 3. SUPPORT THE INTEGRATION, HARMONIZATION AND UTILIZATION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS DATA AND FACILITATE COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION WITH UN ENTITIES AND NATIONAL PARTNERS TO ENHANCE EVIDENCE-BASED MONITORING AND REPORTING OF DEVELOPMENT RESULTS. • Keep abreast of UN effort in co-design (with the national statistical partners) digital tools and dashboards that track progress against the national SDG indicator framework for interoperability between the national gateway and other official platforms. • Contribute to project tasks, assist with data collection and initial analysis, and report unresolved issues to senior staff. • Assist in UNCT statistical capacity-building by contributing to the mapping and sequencing agency-specific technical assistance in line with Cooperation Framework. • Contribute to the identification of gaps in the NSS using relevant statistical capacity monitoring tools and assist with the identification of solutions. 4. CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING. • Contribute to activities aimed at building the capacity of staff on data analytics, including trainings for staff members and other personnel. • Contribute to the trainings and workshops on data analytics. • Assist in delivery of training on results-based management, evaluation techniques and use of monitoring, evaluation and learning for staff members and government partners. • Contribute to the provision of 'data clinics' on relevant topics, including gender-responsive statistics, new census methodologies, drawing on UN expertise and global curricula from the statistical community. 5. OTHER. • Perform other related tasks as assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Project management skills, Strategic thinking, Analytical thinking, Resource management skills, Working collaboratively. Ability to perform quality assurance of data analysis outputs. Ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions. Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to communicate complex and technical matters to diverse audiences. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis on sustainable development topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. 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. 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. CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

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 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

An active certificate in relevant areas such as Data Engineering, Data Management, or Cloud Platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in data life cycle including data collection, data wrangling, analysis, visualization, deployment, monitoring, and reporting is required. Demonstrated knowledge of foundational concepts in data manipulation and data analysis such as data structures, statistical methods is required. Demonstrated experience in coordinating and managing monitoring and reporting data related to budget implementation and results is required. Demonstrated knowledge in database management to extract, transform, and load data from various sources is desirable. Demonstrated skills in data storytelling and data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, Qlik, and R is desirable. Demonstrated ability to assess data accuracy and consistency by performing data validation is desirable. Experience in UN interagency coordination and related data management is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, fluency in English and Spanish 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 IISpanishUN 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 or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one (1) year, and any extension will be subject to the availability of funds, budgetary approval, or extension of the mandate. Additionally, this recruitment process remains subject to budgetary, classification, and intergovernmental approvals. THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF PARAGUAY 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, nationals of PARAGUAY residing elsewhere may be considered; in that case, the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to travel and relocation to PARAGUAY in the event of an employment offer. 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. 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. Internal Applicants: When completing the 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. 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. Relevant experience in the General Service category at G-6 and G-7 levels may count towards experience requirements. 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. 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Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. 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.