Under the supervision of Milos Miljanovic, Data Scientist (DASS), the individual contractor will undertake the following activities to further improve the workflow to collect, validate, and update individual seizure data: • Perform quality control on web-scraped data and assist with processing and validation of data from other sources. • Identify open sources for the purpose of web scraping. • Assist in the collection, processing, validation, de-duplication and standardization of data (including officially reported by Member States). • Support the revision of existing/historical data, including anonymization and mapping of revised data production standards. • Assist in incorporating multi-sourced data into a central database. • Assist in maintaining workflow documentation and guidelines. • Assist on outreach and communication to Members States on the submission of officially reported IDS. • Monitor communication with Member States and keep a corresponding contact database and communication log up to date. • Manual data entry into the quality control application. • Bulk regular de-duplications.

Home-based

1.04.26-30.09.26 (6 months with the possibility of extension).

Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan in 2025 decreased by 20 per cent compared to the previous year, The sharp contraction, together with market indicators, suggest that opium production and trafficking are undergoing major shifts in the region. At the same time, trafficking in synthetic drugs, especially methamphetamine, seems to have increased since the drug ban in Afghanistan, with seizure events in and around Afghanistan higher than before, indicating a growing risk of synthetic drug substitution as opiate production falls. To support the monitoring of these emerging threats, automation and standardized processing have become essential for analyzing large volumes of text-based information. The vast quantity of unstructured data generated daily requires UNODC to deploy a combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI), data processing tools, and analytical methods to collect, generate, interpret and deliver quantitative data effectively. In parallel, efficient and regular communication with Member States is necessary to ensure the consistent submission of essential drug seizure data. These data are critical for producing timely and accurate statistics and analyses, which in turn strengthen evidence-based and strategic responses to existing and emerging drug issues. The main purpose of this assignment is the processing of data on individual seizures using tools and statistical procedures to convert unstructured information harvested from open content and from other sources into consolidated outputs to conduct data analysis and research on the impact of the drug ban on regional and global drug trafficking trends, with a specific focus on opiates and methamphetamine. The assignment will advance the work of the globally mandated Individual Drug Seizure (IDS) data collection by improving the processing, validation and quality of published data on drug seizures using standardized data validation techniques. This assignment will also advance the work of UNODC in increasing the capacity for faster production of larger quantities of data for empirical evidence and threat identification and to better understand shifts in drug markets. The outcome of this exercise will provide statistical evidence to track trends and patterns of drug trafficking.

High school diploma or equivalent is required. • A minimum of 2 years’ experience in management of large datasets and data processing via statistical packages such as R, Python and Stata is required. • Good statistical reasoning, analytical and organizational skills are required. • Extensive experience in Microsoft Office package is required. • Demonstrated skills in communication and planning, preferably in an international environment requiring cultural sensitivity and knowledge of different political, administrative and legal systems is desirable. • Experience in working with the United Nations system or similar international organization is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English, i.e. oral and written proficiency, is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

Not available.

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.