Associate Data Specialist, NOB

The Associate Data Specialist supports the UN Country Team and related groups by implementing data systems and analytics to optimize statistical efficiency and quality. The role involves data consolidation, validation, quality assurance, and preparation of analytical products to support monitoring and evaluation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework in Nairobi, Kenya.

Responsibilities

• 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 the development of monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) products for UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks using approved indicators and tools.
• Keep abreast of UN efforts in co-design (with 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 the development of reports, dashboards or other tools to effectively summarize findings and convey information to management.
• Contribute to the creation of basic data visualization outputs to aid decision-making and communication of analysis outputs.
• Contribute to project tasks, assist with data collection and initial analysis, and report unresolved issues to senior staff.
• Contribute to the production of data products such as reports or newsletters related to data analysis activities.
• Contribute to activities for integrating monitoring milestones, indicators and evidence streams into common data pipelines based on the Cooperation Framework and Funding Compact.
• Assist in UNCT statistical capacity-building by contributing to the mapping and sequencing of agency-specific technical assistance in line with the Cooperation Framework.
• 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.
• Assist in conducting outcome-level analysis and contribution/attribution studies using mixed methods to inform UN reporting and UN-commissioned evaluations.
• Contribute to activities aimed at building capacity of staff on data analytics, including training for staff members and other personnel.
• Assist in the delivery of training on results-based management, evaluation techniques, and the use of monitoring, evaluation and learning for staff members and government partners.
• 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 identification of gaps in the NSS using relevant statistical capacity monitoring tools and assist with the identification of solutions.
• Perform other related tasks as assigned.

Requirements

• 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.
• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in data analysis or a related area, demonstrating knowledge of foundational concepts in data manipulation and data analysis such as data structures and statistical methods, is required.
• Demonstrated skills in relational databases (SQL) and programming languages (Python, R) is required.
• Demonstrated ability to perform quality assurance of data analysis outputs is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the data life cycle, including data collection, data wrangling, analysis, visualization, deployment, monitoring, and reporting, 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.
• Demonstrated skills in developing and executing training programs and curricula across different levels and target audiences using various methods is desirable.
• Experience supporting results monitoring or evaluation of UN Cooperation Frameworks, SDG indicator frameworks, or national statistical systems is desirable.
• English is required at UN Level II.
• Kiswahili is required at UN Level II.

Skills

• Data Analysis
• Data Manipulation
• Statistical Methods
• Relational Databases
• SQL
• Python Programming
• R Programming
• Quality Assurance
• Data Validation
• Data Life Cycle
• Data Collection
• Data Wrangling
• Data Visualization
• Tableau
• Power BI
• Qlik
• Data Storytelling
• Training Program Development
• Results Monitoring
• Evaluation of UN Frameworks

Languages

English, Kiswahili