DATA SPECIALIST, NOC

The UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator - the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at country level - support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDG's. In its Resolution A/RES/72/279, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the transformation of the Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) as a stand-alone coordination office within the United Nations Secretariat. DCO exercises managerial and oversight functions of the Resident Coordinator System under the oversight of the Chair of 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. Under the guidance of the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) and the overall leadership of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, the Data Specialist supports the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Palestine in advancing data-driven planning, monitoring, reporting, learning and decision-making for the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), Transitional Framework, Recovery Frameworks and related inter-agency coordination processes. The incumbent works closely with United Nations entities, Results Groups, the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Group, national counterparts, development partners, academia and civil society organizations to strengthen data management, quality assurance, results monitoring, indicator tracking and evidence generation. The incumbent leads the design, development, deployment and continuous improvement of data, digital, AI-enabled and visualization products and tools that support evidence-based decision-making, monitoring, evaluation and learning, risk-informed planning and the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. The position supports the consolidation and validation of agency inputs, monitoring of collective results and reporting commitments, coordination of UN INFO processes, and the development of analytical products, dashboards, SDG tracking solutions and other innovative tools that enhance data quality, interoperability, insights generation and organizational learning. The Data Specialist produces and communicates high-quality analysis, visualizations and knowledge products to inform strategic planning, reporting, advocacy and communications, while promoting the use of timely, reliable and disaggregated data to assess progress, identify trends, risks and gaps, and support adaptive management. Through collaboration with UN entities and national and international partners, the incumbent contributes to strengthening accountability, system wide impact reporting, data-driven innovation and integrated humanitarian, development and recovery efforts in the State of Palestine. Summary of Functions: 1. Develop and implement databases, data collection systems, data analytics and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality. 2. 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. 3. Develop and implement various analysis, reporting and quality control capabilities; identify appropriate data sources for analytics projects; locate and define new data analysis process improvement opportunities. The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Ramallah, Palestine under the direct supervision of the Head of the Resident Coordinator Office.

1. DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTS/TOOLS • Develop and implement databases, data collection systems, data analytics and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality. • 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. • Develop and implement various analysis, reporting and quality control capabilities; identify appropriate data sources for analytics projects; locate and define new data analysis process improvement opportunities. • Support the development of monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) products for UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks, leveraging UN organizations’ systems, UN approved indicators, Power BI and other approved tools. • Keep abreast of UN efforts in co-design (with the national statistical partners) digital tools and dashboards that track progress against the national SDG indicator framework, ensuring interoperability between the national gateway, and other official platforms (using SDMX standard where appropriate). • Develop reports, dashboards or other tools to effectively summarize findings and convey information to management. • Document requirements, background information and methodology and establish documentation practices and standards for other staff to follow. • Create interactive and static data visualizations and employ advanced features of data visualization tools to aid decision-making and communications of analysis outputs. • Lead production of data products such as reports or newsletters related to data analysis activities. • Drafts inputs for a wide range of documents/reports, briefings/debriefings, correspondence, etc. • Establish communication and cooperation with other parts of the organization to request data and express data needs. • Provide support to integrate monitoring milestones, indicators and evidence streams into common data pipelines, ensuring alignment with the Cooperation Framework and Funding Compact. 2. COLLABORATION/COORDINATION • Establish communication and cooperation with other parts of the organization to request data and express data needs. • Provide support to integrate monitoring milestones, indicators and evidence streams into common data pipelines, ensuring alignment with the Cooperation Framework and Funding Compact. • Collaborate with data engineers and data scientists to improve data flows, data quality, etc. 3. RESEARCH/STUDY • Keep abreast of the current and emerging trends and developments in data analytics best practices, technologies and tools, and update management with findings and suggestions. • Conduct outcome-level analysis and contribution/attribution studies using mixed-methods to inform UN reporting and UN-commissioned evaluations • Identify gaps in the NSS using relevant statistical capacity monitoring tools and recommend coordinated UN responses, highlighting opportunities to leverage big-data pilots, citizen-generated data, or geospatial solutions • Support the assessment of model evaluation using appropriate validation metrics to ensure the model is comprehensive and supports the organizational objectives. 4. TRAINING • Conduct activities aimed at building capacity of staff on data analytics, including trainings for staff members and other personnel. • Deliver training on results-based management, evaluation techniques and use of monitoring, evaluation and learning for staff members and government partners • Contribute to the provision of ‘data clinics’ on relevant topics, including gender-responsive statistics, new census methodologies, drawing on UN expertise and global curricula from the statistical community • Deliver trainings and workshops on data analytics tailored to different audiences as appropriate. 5. IMPLEMENTATION • Support projects execution by conducting robust data analysis and collaborate with other team members to ensure that projects adhere to work plan objectives. • Execute and oversee specific projects and activities, ensuring effective use of resources and alignment with planned objectives. • Collaborate on the end-to-end monitoring, evaluation and learning cycle by working with 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 • Utilize acquired resources to build analysis, reporting and quality control. • Support the development of materials for external and internal audits through data preparation, compliance tracking, and report generation. • Perfoms other duties as assigned.

• PROFESSIONALISM: Analytical thinking. Strategic thinking. Coordination skills and the ability to work collaboratively. Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis on sustainable development topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing sources for data collection. 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. • PLANNING AND 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.

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 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

An active certificate in relevant areas such as data engineering, data management, or cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) is desirable.

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience demonstrating the knowledge, skills to strategic and analytical thinking, and demonstrates abilities of working collaboratively, to translate business requirements into technical solutions is required. Demonstrated knowledge of foundational concepts in data manipulation and data analysis such as data structures, statistical methods are required. Demonstrated Knowledge of data life cycle including data collection, data wrangling, analysis, visualization, deployment, monitoring, and reporting is required Experience in Programme/Project management and coordination of interagency groups is required Demonstrated Skills in relational databases and programming language are 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.

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment, such as a written test, which will be followed by a competency-based interview by phone/teleconference (MS Teams) or in-person where possible.

This is a Fixed Term position. Appointment against this position is available for a duration of one (1) year and does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal. The appointment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. THIS RECRUITMENT REMAINS SUBJECT TO BUDGETARY, CLASSIFICATION, AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS. 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. Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. National Professional Officers are nationals of the country in which they are serving, and their functions must have a national context, i.e. functions that require national experience or knowledge of the national language, culture, institutions, and systems. THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF PALESTINE ONLY. National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, PALESTINIAN nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to PALESTINE in the event of an employment offer. 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. Note to current staff members at the General Service level: Locally recruited General Service staff members applying for this post must meet the minimum requirements, including academic qualifications and years of relevant experience. Relevant experience in the General Service category at G-6 and G-7 levels may count towards experience requirements. Internal Applicants: When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. 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. On-line 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. 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.