Consultant - Data Architect
Support the development of data engineering skills in national statistical offices.
Overview
Support the development of data engineering skills in national statistical offices.
You have:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, data science, data engineering, or related field.
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in enterprise data management systems, data warehousing infrastructure, big data technologies, GIS analytics, and/or cloud-based data storage and data access solutions is required.
- A bachelor’s degree in combination with seven (7) years of experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
- Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing IT architecture solutions for complex statistical data production systems or data science projects.
- Experience working with National Statistical Offices, particularly within developing country settings, is desirable.
- Demonstrated experience in agile project management and facilitation of IT trainings and workshops.
- Full command of spoken and written English is required and French is desirable.
- Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.
Contract
This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.
Result of Service
By 31 July 2025: o Detailed plan of activities, specifying key outputs and timelines, based on documents, online consultation, and coordination meeting with the national statistical offices IT team to gather information on existing IT system implementation. By 31 August 2025: o Progress report of activities and work supported, in accordance with detailed plan of activities and work assignments as outlined above, also providing links or attaching concrete results of the work By 30 September 2025: o Progress report of activities and work supported, in accordance with detailed plan of activities and work assignments as outlined above, also providing links or attaching concrete results of the work By 31 October 2025: o Progress report of activities and work supported, in accordance with detailed plan of activities and work assignments as outlined above, also providing links or attaching concrete results of the work By 30 November 2025: o Progress report of activities and work supported, in accordance with detailed plan of activities and work assignments as outlined above, also providing links or attaching concrete results of the work By 31 December 2025: o Final report of activities and work supported, in accordance with detailed plan of activities and work assignments as outlined above. Performance indicators o Timely delivery of all outputs. o Quality of the meeting materials and documentation provided with every output. o Effectiveness of proposed data integration architecture provided
Work Location
The consultant will work remotely, except for potential technical assistance missions depending on specific country needs and requests, as well as on the availability of funds. Communications will mainly take place through remote web conference meetings. Travel or commute time, as well as related expenses, are not part of the consultancy.
Expected duration
The consultant will perform the activities specified in this Terms of Reference in the period between 01 July 2025 and 31 December 2025.
Duties and Responsibilities
There is an urgent need to strengthen the capacity of national statistical systems to leverage the use of innovative and administrative data for statistical purposes, to fill gaps in the data that is available to policy and decision makers to monitor progress and implement the 2030 Agenda and to address emerging challenges. Many countries are still struggling with the lack of modern IT infrastructure and technical skills, along with adequate institutional arrangements, for the efficient integration and processing of data and metadata from administrative and other innovative sources, to produce official statistics. The UN Statistics Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) is engaged in capacity development efforts aimed to address some of these challenges, including through the “Data for Now” initiative, including through the “Data for SIDS” DATAS project. These initiatives support various countries in their work to improve and increase the use of innovative and administrative data sources for statistical purposes, with a different area of focus in each country. The learnings and experiences from participating countries will be further shared with other countries to create synergies and multiplicative effects, including through cross-cutting guidance materials that will supplement existing thematically focused materials and tools. Objective of the consultancy The objective of this consultancy is to support the development of data engineering skills in national statistical offices and provide practical guides and other reference materials to enable the sustainable modernization of their data and IT architecture.
Qualifications/special skills
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, data science, data engineering, or related field. with five (5) years of experience. A bachelor’s degree in combination with seven (7) years of experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in enterprise data management systems, data warehousing infrastructure, big data technologies, GIS analytics, and/or cloud-based data storage and data access solutions is required. Experience working with National Statistical Offices, particularly within developing country settings, is desirable. Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing IT architecture solutions for complex statistical data production systems or data science projects. Demonstrated experience in agile project management and facilitation of IT trainings and workshops. Experience in coordination with various stakeholders is desirable.
Languages
Full command of spoken and written English is required and French is desirable. Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.
Additional Information
Not available.
No Fee
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.
Potential interview questions
Can you describe your experience in enterprise data management systems? | This question helps us understand your technical background in handling large data systems. | Provide specific examples of systems you've managed or implemented. |
What strategies have you used for agile project management? | We want to evaluate your project management skills and adaptability. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
How have you facilitated IT trainings or workshops in the past? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Can you provide an example of working with a National Statistical Office? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
How do you ensure quality in statistical data production? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
What challenges have you faced in integrating administrative data for statistical purposes? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
What insights have you gained from your experience in data analytics? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
How do you tailor IT solutions to meet the needs of different stakeholders? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |