Data Science Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using digital innovation and data-driven decision-making has become crucial. This is especially important to ensure that vulnerable and marginalized populations, such as children and adolescents, are not left behind. Disaggregated data, which takes into account factors such as income, sex, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, and geographic location, can help us understand how we are progressing towards these goals and help address disparities. As the global custodian of child-focused indicators, UNICEF has a vital role in advocating for, generating, and using such data. UNICEF work closely with national bodies to improve data collection methods, promote international standards, and monitor progress towards the SDGs. This effort extends to cross-sectoral support for data analysis in areas such as social policy, health, education, child protection, nutrition, disaster management, WASH, and climate change. UNICEF is actively using new sources of real-time information, forecasting intelligence, and transformative data technologies to inform decision-makers in the development and humanitarian ecosystem. The organization is committed to creating a fairer and more equitable world with a focus on children's best interests. UNICEF recognizes the potential of digital innovation and data utilization to improve the well-being of children. By using cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics, UNICEF can gather real-time insights into the challenges children face and the opportunities available to them. This allows for more informed decision-making and targeted interventions that address specific needs, ensuring that children's rights are upheld in the digital age. UNICEF is also committed to data privacy and security, ensuring that these advancements are used ethically and responsibly while safeguarding children's sensitive information and ensuring their digital experiences are safe and beneficial. The integration of insights from both traditional and non-traditional data sources has greatly enhanced UNICEF's ability to improve children's well-being across various sectors. By combining data from sources as diverse as satellite imagery, social media, and traditional surveys, UNICEF gains a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by children in areas including child protection, nutrition, health, education, disaster response, and climate change adaptation. For instance, by analyzing data related to malnutrition rates, access to healthcare facilities, and poverty, UNICEF can create cross-sectoral strategies that address interconnected challenges and promote holistic well-being. To support the above tasks, a national UNV on data and digital innovation will be recruited who will provide technical cross-sectoral support of data analysis. In consultation with national and international experts, the UNV will assist in utilising and harnessing digital innovation and data analysis to provide cross-sectoral support, including data analysis for Social Policy, Nutrition, Health, Education, Child Protection, WASH, Disaster and Climate Change.

The UNV will work within the Social Policy Section of UNICEF Indonesia. The UNV will collaborate with various other sections and units of UNICEF, including child protection, social policy, health, education, WASH, Disaster, and Climate Change, with guidance from their supervisor.

Under direct supervision of the Data Centre Specialist in charge of data and digital innovation, and in close coordination and consultation with the Chief of Social Policy, the UNV will undertake the following tasks: • Provide technical support in digital innovation for data lifecycle including data collection, data processing, data analysis and dashboarding • Provide technical support in updating data, develop and maintain robust ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) pipelines to facilitate the seamless movement of data from diverse sources to the data warehouse. • Provide technical support to identify and use connections to various data sources, includ-ing databases, APIs, and external systems, to enable seamless data extraction and inte-gration. • Provide technical support to record and document data and digital innovation initiatives into UNICEF INVENT • Collaborate with other sections to understand their analytical needs and translate them into actionable dashboard components. • Engage with data focal points in other sections and work closely with relevant colleagues to support knowledge sharing and data related works of Social Policy Section in particular and UNICEF Indonesia in general.

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work envi-ronment. • Planning and effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, co-ordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational bound-aries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articu-late options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volun-teers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing per-sonal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different tar-get groups; • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, re-mote, and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hard-ship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidar-ity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

• Strong analytical skills to interpret and translate complex data insights into visual representations that align with specific business objectives. • Strong programming languages such as Python, SQL, PHP, or other relevant scripting languages to develop and maintain ETL scripts. • Experience in developing interactive and visually appealing dashboard designs, developed using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or similar platforms. • Excellent facilitation and coordination skills and can navigate challenges in completing tasks and deliverables in a timely manner. • Prominent level of initiative and ability to undertake complex tasks independently and professionally, while proactively seeking relevant input, cooperation, and guidance from key parties. • Demonstrated ability to be flexible, work within a climate of teamwork and collaborate in a multi-cultural environment, ensuring rights-based approach. • Knowledge of innovative data processing techniques, such as automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of data transformation, is a strong asset. • Knowledge/understanding on SDGs is a strong asset. • Experience from reporting on project/program implementation. • Knowledge/understanding and experience of working with government counterparts will be highly valuable.

The position will be based in the capital, Jakarta, where basic living needs, including accommodation, banking facilities, medical facilities and telecommunications/internet services are readily available. All staple foods can be found in the markets, e.g.: rice, meat, vegetables, fruit, cooking oil, salt, etc. Many imported goods are available in Jakarta and other places throughout Indonesia. Jakarta has many good restaurants with good health standards and most guesthouses provide food. In Indonesia the most used means of transportation are taxi or local bus. Mobile phones are the most dependable tool to be in touch with colleagues and friends. Internet service is readily available and affordable in most places.