Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

Office/Unit/Project Description 

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. Within the GPN, the Crisis Bureau guides UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response and recovery.

One of the areas of responsibility of UNDP’s Crisis Bureau is to ensure that UNDP is well positioned to anticipate and to respond in the timeliest and most effective manner to crisis, primarily regarding sudden onset crises and complex protracted crises, triggered by disasters, armed conflicts, and health crises alike. 

The UNDP Crisis Bureau continues to enhance its data-driven analysis and prevention efforts through its Risk Anticipation Hub. The Risk Anticipation Hub has been further developed as the Crisis Risk Unit (CRU), which aims to advance UNDP’s value proposition by transforming developmental work through the application of a risk lens. This involves developing key services and products to support UNDP country offices and external audiences, particularly the UN Country Teams and governments, in their risk-informed decision-making, planning, and programming. Key products include the development and implementation of Crisis Risk Dashboards (CRDs), the Risk Anticipation Datahub (RAD), INFORM Warning and other initiatives designed to strengthen forward-looking approaches to crisis and fragility.  CRD is UNDP’s integrated, forward-looking risk analytics platform designed to support risk informed programming, while RAD is a public facing data platform that aggregates and visualizes multidimensional risk information to enhance anticipatory action and is scheduled for launch in early 2026.INFORM Warning will be an open system to aggregate and present quantified, multi-hazard information to support crisis preparedness and anticipatory action. It will present reliable, quantified, multi-hazard information that warns about risk trends, forecasts, scenarios and events that could lead to crisis impacts in the next 12 months and can be easily used to support decisions on preparedness and anticipatory action. looking risk analytics platform designed to support risk informed programming, while RAD is a public facing data platform that aggregates and visualizes multidimensional risk information to enhance anticipatory action and is scheduled for launch in early 2026

In this context, the Research, Analytics, Learning and Innovation Team (RALI) is seeking a Data Analytics and Product Specialist to support the organization's capacities in data science, analytics and visualization as key decision intelligence to inform time-critial programmatic and operational decisions. Specialist will be responsible for the following: 

Scope of Work 

1.          Lead technical product and project management of the data analytics platforms

  • Revamping CRD as a Risk-Informed Programming Tool: Lead the transformation of Crisis Risk Dashboard (CRD), UNDP’s digital platform supported with data-backend to conduct risk analytics, into a dynamic, forward looking risk analytics and risk-informed programming tool.
  • Management of CRD Architecture and Data Warehouse:  Oversee the architecture and management of the CRD and data warehouse; Ensure integration of diverse data sources, including open-source, internal, quantitative, qualitative, cartographic data, satellite imagery, structured/unstructured big data, and social media; 
  • Perform tasks such as data cleaning, structuring, transformation, and database development.
  • Database Design and Management:  Support design and management of databases that comprise the CRD and its operations; Ensure processes for data updates and verification of both quantitative and qualitative datasets.
  • Product Use-Case Fit Analysis:  Identify use-case fit for data products such as CRD, RAD, Crisis Risk Analysis Products, and others.
  • Business Intelligence Platform Upgrades: Identify and implement periodic upgrades to the business intelligence platform; Align upgrades with emerging trends and advancements in available technologies.
  • Project Management for Advanced Analytics Solutions:  Lead the end-to-end project management for advanced analytics solutions, including design, development, and deployment of the RAD.
  • Public API Development and Deployment: Serve as the product owner for public API development and deployment, ensuring seamless rollout and functionality of the RAD

2.          Lead the design and application of methodologies and applications for data-driven multidimensional risk analytics

  • Lead Data Analysis for Risk Analytics and Planning: Conduct descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analyses to support risk analytics; 
  • Utilize advanced statistical tools and methodologies to generate actionable insights for risk-informed planning and programming.
  • Develop Machine Learning and AI Tools: Scope, guide and oversee the integration of ML and AI tools within the existing platforms in coordinating with data scientists in UNDP. 

3.          Provision of expert advice on data governance 

  • Participation in UNDP and UN Internal Workstreams:  Actively engage in workstreams focused on data governa ce and data management within UNDP and UN frameworks;
  • Ensure alignment between global data governance standards and organizational practices. 
  • Coordination and Collaboration:   Coordinate with ITM (Information Technology Management) team in UNDP to ensure technical alignment of analytics tools and solutions; Collaborate closely with (DAI) Digital, AI, and Innovation Hub to integrate advanced analytics into innovative UNDP and UN projects; 
  • Facilitate communication across teams to identify synergies between advanced analytics capabilities and organizational goals; and ensure that key services and products of the CRU adhere to corporate standards and architecture.

4.          Ensure Coordination, Collaboration, Networking,  Capacity Building  and Knowledge Sharing 

  • UN Interagency Data Analytics Work:  Collaborate with various UN agencies to enhance interagency data analytics initiatives; 
  • Exploring Partnerships with UNDP, UN, and the Private Sector:  Identify and engage potential partners within UNDP, UN bodies, and private sector organizations; Foster strategic alliances to enhance data analytics capabilities and resources.
  • Capacity Building on Data Analytics: Design and deliver training programs to build capacities in data analytics; support to developing materials and toolkits tailored to risk-informed planning and programming needs; and Conduct workshops, webinars, and interactive sessions to disseminate knowledge and best practices; and 
  • Facilitate knowledge exchange and joint ventures aimed at advancing data innovation and risk analytics.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Competencies 

Core

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 
Act with Determination:  LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical

Business Development Collective Intelligence Design:

Ability to bring together diverse groups of people, data, information, ideas, and technology to solve problems and design solutions or services.

Knowledge and understanding of Collective Intelligence Design principles, methodology and practices.
Business Management Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
Digital  Data Collection: Being skilled in Data Sorting, Data Cleaning, Survey Administration, Presentation and Reporting including collection of Real-Time Data (e.g. mobile data, satellite data, sensor data).
Digital  Data Storytelling and Communications: Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion.
Digital  Co-Creation

Ability to design and facilitate a process that enables a diverse group of stakeholders to solve a common problem, develop a practice, or create knowledge together.  Ability to embrace diversity, work with a diverse group of stakeholders understand their interests, perspectives and views and tap into to them as a source for creativity. 

Ability to facilitate processes and create conditions that are open for diverse inputs, stimulate collaboration and sharing.
Business Direction and Strategy  System Thinking  Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness Crisis and Fragility Policy and Engagement Crisis Assessment

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Min. Academic Education  

  • Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Political Science, International Relations, Data Science, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related quantitative social science field is required; or 
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant Work experience  

  • A minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible professional and/or academic experience in data analytics, data science, visualization (Power BI, Tableau), data base management, and applied analytics in international development or humanitarian contexts. 

Required skills and competencies             

  • Demonstrated track record of excellence in developing tools and mechanisms on data analytics in international development or humanitarian context as well as relevant experience within UNDP or the UN system;
  • Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering data products or analytics tools, with a strong understanding of user requirements and information product design;

Desired additional skills and competencies       

  • Experience in data collection, preprocessing, and harmonization, particularly in relation to humanitarian, climate, and conflict event data (e.g., ACLED, UCDP, IPC/CH, EM-DAT)
  • Experience and solid understanding of data architecture, governance, and integration of multiple data sources (quantitative and qualitative). 
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct data collection, data manipulation and cleaning using various methods;
  • Demonstarted ability to conduct advanced data analytics, statistical modeling and AI application; 
  • Demonstrated track record of communication and presentation skills, including the ability to translate complex technical and analytical concepts into clear, actionable insights for non-technical audiences. 
  • Experience in preparing briefs, presentations and facilitating workshops and training. 
  • Experience and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the management of information in an international development or humanitarian context;
  • Demonstrated ability to quickly establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different cultural backgrounds and languages;
  • Proficiency in the use of information management tools, particularly Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, Microsoft SQL, AI and other relevant analytics tools;
  • Familiarity with geospatial data and tools such as GeoPandas, ArcGIS, or QGIS

Required Language(s) (at working level)  

  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Working knowledge of another UN language is desired.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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