Chief, Data, Digital & Innovation, P5

In line with General Assembly Resolution A/RES/72/279, United Nations Development Coordination Office (DCO) exercises managerial and oversight functions of the resident coordinator system under the collective ownership of the members of the 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 position is located in the SDG Coordination, Policy, and Programme Division in DCO in New York. The incumbent reports to the Director, SDG Coordination, Policy and Programme Division. The Chief, Data, Digital and Innovation Section oversees DCO’s corporate data, digital solutions and innovation efforts, seeking to harness UN2.0 capabilities for more effective business solutions across all workstreams of the Resident Coordinator system. S/he directs and guides turning data into information, information into insight and insight into business decisions. Through ensuring the availability of a range of data-driven products, the Chief enables colleagues to identify ways to use data and digital assets to support evidence-based decision-making, strategy development, and strategy execution in line with RC system priorities and mandates. S/he leads the delivery of corporate services for data, digital and innovation, working closely with other sections, branches and regional offices to ensure that corporate needs are fully met. The incumbent drives digital innovation and acts as a change agent across the Resident Coordinator system by setting and implementing a comprehensive UN2.0 transformation strategy facilitating the RC System’s full embrace of the Quintet of Change. S/he collaborates with cross-functional partners across DCO and the RC system to design and implement efficient data and digital solutions while fostering a digital-first mindset from leadership down. S/he champions the adoption of digital technologies and best practices to build a strong digital ecosystem, ensuring seamless collaboration and knowledge sharing among colleagues and partners. S/he continuously measures the impact of digital initiatives, refining strategies as needed to optimize investments in the most effective tools and resources. The Chief, Data, Digital and Innovation Section establishes and maintains relationships with counterparts, senior officers and technical staff in relevant organizational units in digital innovation, data engineering, data science and other data specialists, data owners and subject matter experts to direct and guide the development and implementation of the Resident Coordinator system databases, data collection systems, data analytics and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality. S/he also establishes external relationships on data, digital and innovation, with relevant UN secretariat departments and UN funds, programs and other UN specialized agencies, to collaborate and exchange information on new products and best practices. The position leads a specialized team responsible for advancing data analytics, innovation and digital transformation initiatives in support of the Organization’s strategic objectives and the implementation of the UN 2.0 agenda. The incumbent provides overall leadership for the planning, management and delivery of data, analytics, innovation and digital solutions; oversees the development and application of analytical frameworks, data systems, reporting and visualization capabilities; and ensures the effective integration of digital and innovation initiatives into organizational planning and decision-making processes. The role promotes the adoption of emerging technologies and innovative practices, fosters collaboration across organizational and external partners, strengthens institutional capacity through knowledge-sharing and learning initiatives, and oversees a portfolio of projects aimed at enhancing organizational effectiveness, evidence-based decision-making and sustainable development outcomes. In addition, the incumbent manages the Section’s human, financial and operational resources and supports a high-performing, collaborative and inclusive team environment.

Within delegated authority, the Senior Data Specialist will be responsible for the following duties: • Provide strategic advice and guidance on the development and implementation of databases, data collection systems, data analytics and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality. • Guide team members to identify, analyse, and interpret trends or patterns, using statistical methods to identify relevant features and variables in structured and unstructured sources of information and data. • Provide direction and guidance on the full data lifecycle analysis including data requirements, activities and design. • Define organizational needs and translate them to strategic reporting documents ensuring alignment with broader goals while overseeing quality and strategic integration of analytics into decision-making. • Plans and directs the work programme on data analysis, providing both methodical and managerial supervision of all activities; • • Plans, organizes and manages staff and evaluates their performance • Collaborate with management to prioritize organization and information needs • Oversee development and implementation of databases, data collection systems, data analytics and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality • Ensure appropriate processes and techniques for each project are used by team member • Develop and oversee analysis, reporting and quality control capabilities • Oversee full lifecycle analysis to include requirements, activities and design. • Review implemented models against technical and strategic criteria • Manage strategy development for key projects and oversee strategy execution

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 manage teams and quality-check work completed by other team members. The ability to provide teams with strategic direction. 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. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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. JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, data science, analytics, statistics, information management, public administration, management or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Not available.

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in applied analytics, business intelligence, information management, statistics, project management, stakeholder management or related area is required. Manage and coordinate the activities of the team, including hiring, training, assigning tasks and responsibilities, evaluating performance, and ensuring that deadlines are met is required. Skills in data storytelling and data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, Qlik, and R is required. Skills in tools managing version control such as Git is desirable. Skills in relational databases (SQL) and programming languages (Python, R) is desirable. Skill in developing and executing technical training programs and curricula for different levels and target audience using various methods and techniques is desirable. Resource Management Skills is desirable. Skill in project management is desirable.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

This recruitment and any subsequent appointment remain subject to budgetary, classification, and intergovernmental approvals, including General Assembly approval, as applicable. Appointment against this post is open for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension, subject to legislative body funding availability. 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 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. Individual contractors and consultants (Non-Staff Personnel) who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered. 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

According 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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. 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.