Posting Title: Data Analyst (Data Specialist), NOD
Job Code Title: Data Analyst
Department/Office: Economic Commission for Africa
Duty Station: ADDIS ABABA
Posting Period: 14 March 2023 – 12 April 2023
Job Opening Number: 23-Data Analytics and Management-ECA-204156-R-Addis Ababa (O)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organisational Setting and ReportingECA’s mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. The mission is guided by ECA’s five strategic directions which are advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take the local solution to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security, and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues. The Gender, Poverty, and Social Policy Division (GPSPD) is headed by a Director who reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme). The Division is responsible for contributing towards achieving inclusive and equitable sustainable human and social development in Africa and promoting and supporting member States in their work to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment. It is divided into three main sections: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment; Social Policy; and Urbanization and Development. The Division supports member States to design, implement and monitor policies and strategies to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa, and accelerate their implementation of global and regional gender-related commitments for the empowerment of women and girls. It also supports member States in the design and implementation of appropriate national and sub-regional policies, programmes, and strategies to eradicate extreme poverty and reduce inequality in order to achieve inclusive and equitable human and social development. Key areas of emphasis include social protection, health, migration, demographic transition, youth, aging, and urbanization. The Division undertakes research and analysis to generate the evidence base for policy design; provides technical advisory support to member States in the design, implementation, and monitoring of policies. and promotes policy dialogue, learning, and exchange in these areas. This position is located in the Social Policy Section, within the Gender, Poverty, and Social Development Policy Division (GPSPD) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
Responsibilities
Under the overall direction of the Director of GPSPD, and the direct supervision of the Chief, Urbanization and Development Section, the incumbent will carry out the following functions:
- Lead data and statistical analysis to enhance the evidence-based work on urbanization;
- Identify, analyze, and interpret trends or patterns, using machine learning techniques, and statistical methods to identify relevant features and variables in structured and unstructured sources of information and data;
- Ensure the quality of collected urban data and statistics for accuracy, consistency, and comparability;
- Provide guidance and advice in the planning, operating, and evaluating of the African Program on Urbanization data and Statistics;
- Set policy and guidance on data analysis procedures within the entity and oversee the creation of SOPs and other documents to support the formulation of a regional framework for monitoring and implementation of urban goals, targets, and indicators in Africa;
- Provide advice on how data can be utilized to improve decision-making within the knowledge domain;
- Research approaches and explore methods that will lead to innovative data products;
- Conduct full data analytics lifecycle analysis, including data requirements, activities, and design;
- Ensure technically sound execution of data analytics projects;
- Collaborate with colleagues across the division to identify data analytics needs and support data-driven projects;
- Translate immediate requirements into prototype solutions and oversee their subsequent full implementation;
- Keep track of trends and developments in data analytics best practices, tools, etc.
- Ensure that requirements, background information, and methodology used for data analysis are documented;
- Plan and co-ordinate seminars, workshops, and expert meetings on urban data and statistics; and
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Excellent analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, manage, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy. The ability to analyze, model, and interpret data in support of decision-making. Adept at queries, report writing, and presenting findings. The ability to oversee and quality-check work completed by other team members. Takes pride in the work for the organization and understands the impact that can be brought into the organization by allowing data-driven and evidence-based decisions. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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 a 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.
- Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, data science, analytics, statistics, information management, public administration, management, mathematics, economics, or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work ExperienceA minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in applied analytics, business intelligence, statistics, project management, stakeholder management, or related areas is required. Experience in using data to advance decisions, strategies, and execution is required. Experience with self-service analytics and data visualization applications (MS Power BI, Qlik, Tableau, or similar), or business intelligence tools (SAP Business Objects, etc.) is desirable. Experience in Advanced Excel and PowerPoint is desirable.
LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.
AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
Special NoticeCandidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. 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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving a 50 /50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of the 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
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