Data Scientist (Principal Researcher), P-4, Fixed Term, Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 171,387 USD and 220,969 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a chance

The Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM) was established in 2019 to drive decision making and organizational learning, improve effectiveness and achievement of results of UNICEF and its partners to realize the rights and improve the life of every child. DAPM promotes the use of data and monitoring to achieve transformative impact on lives of children.

The Division is responsible for driving, shaping and guiding UNICEF’s evidence-informed analysis, strategic planning, programme monitoring and organizational performance management. As such, DAPM enables the organization to deliver on results in a more coherent manner, based on agile and contextualized programming process, and on data, evidence, and analysis, as well as the application of human-rights based and results-based management approaches.

Within DAPM, the Data & Analytics Team (DAT) is the global go-to for data on children. It leads the collection, validation, analysis, use and communication of the most statistically sound, internationally comparable data on the situation of children and women around the world. For this purpose, both traditional and innovative data and analysis – including administrative and household survey data as well as geospatial analysis, big data and machine learning – are used. DAT upholds the quality, integrity and organization of these data and makes them accessible as a global public good on the data.unicef.org website.

DAT provides leadership, strategic and normative guidance and technical support to generate data and evidence on children. The team works together with other teams within UNICEF as well as partner organizations, to support statistical systems strengthening at the country level. DAT is also fostering a data-driven transformation in how UNICEF works internally and together with partners that includes positioning UNICEF as a leader on data for children, protecting children through governance of data and building an organization-wide culture of data.

The Frontier Data and Technology Unit (FDTU) was created in 2022 within the Section of the Chief Data Officer (CDO) so that UNICEF can better place evidence at the centre of how it reacts to humanitarian crises and informs its global programmes and policies. Frontier data represents a broad tent approach to contemporary good practices that include big data, AI, and geospatial analysis. FDTU combines, scales, and gives renewed purpose to existing UNICEF efforts on data and statistics management, geospatial analysis, and data science, while also supporting related CDO goals to protect child rights and narrow the digital divide.

FDTU looks at frontier data as the space where data are transforming technology and technology is transforming the use of data. We seek to leverage that value through local capacity building, and strategic global partnerships. Our mission is to serve UNICEF’s child-focused work as a dedicated force that explores, inspires and enables the use of applied science and frontier data technologies for children.

Purpose for the job:

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the CDO and the Chief of FDTU, the Data Scientist’s responsibility is to

• advise UNICEF’s Frontier Data and Technology strategy;
• to identify and strengthen key scientific relations and networks; and
• to support UNICEF’s work in building and promoting its Frontier Data Network (FDN), the vehicle by which UNICEF sustainably delivers frontier data and technology globally, regionally, and locally.

The FDTU Data Scientist leads data science research activities within the CDO, including the exploration and early development of studies and proofs of concept in key scientific events and journals, identifying and catalyzing research collaborators and networks.

The FDTU Data Scientist also supervises the team of research scientists and consultants contracted to support various short-term needs of data science research work, works in close collaboration with other members of FDTU, and acts as a primary contact point for data science with external partners and other internal units and divisions.

Finally, the FDTU Data Scientist acts as a champion for FDN, providing strategic guidance to the programme specialist that operationally manages network partnerships, promoting FDN in the UN data science and other research communities, and overseeing the implementation of FDN data science product engagements in the field.

Specifically:

1. Advise the CDO on strategic directions for the data science and AI components of the frontier data agenda.
2. Together with the Chief of FDTU and Frontier Data Programme specialist, coordinate and advise the work of the FDN, especially focus areas and strategy of research partnerships.
3. Oversee production and dissemination - internally and externally in expert and technical fora and journals - of key data science and AI research work and publications with key scientific partners and FDTU representation at data science and AI events.
4. Represent UNICEF for relevant data science and AI advisory groups.
5. Collaborate with the Chief of FDTU and Data and Analytics Communication team to maximize internal and external frontier data communication.

Working with the CDO unit chiefs and DAPM planning and resource mobilization specialists, participate in the formulation and execution of the CDO’s resource mobilization strategy.

How can you make a difference?

1. Advise and support CDO and ICTD data science and AI agenda, strategically and operationally:

• Identify priority research areas and grow new areas as determined by strategic impact
• With FDTU Chief and Programme specialist, develop strategy to establish and maintain research lines, including data, capacity, and partnership needs
• With FDTU Chief and Programme specialist, establish and maintain engagements across relevant UNICEF divisions and country and regional offices to identify key areas of frontier data and technology research and exploration

2. Coordinate and advise the work of the FDN, especially focus areas and strategy of research partnerships:

• Identify and catalyze research partnerships (academia, research institutions and private sector) to leverage external expertise for FDN
• Support the FDTU Programme specialist in developing and managing data and corporate partners to support the network for science and exploration.
• Catalyze external Advisory Groups/networks with key experts of academia, UN or research groups in relevant frontier data and technology fields (e.g., Data Science, AI, Computational modeling) to advise on technical opportunities to improve and expand UNICEF's frontier data and technology capacity and/or respond to key events (e.g. COVID crisis)
• Along with the frontier data programme specialist, advise and provide guidance to country offices doing key pilots or research on frontier data and technology.
• Give advice to and integrate with ICTD on relevant FDT research opportunities and joint work with FDTU

3. Oversee production and dissemination of key data science and AI research work and publications with key scientific partners and FDTU representation at data science and AI events.

• Identify and engage key scientific partners.
• In coordination with CDO, plan FDTU strategy on Frontier Data and Technology research, prioritizing research lines and country/regional/programme/divisions/sector specialist pilots.
• Manage and hire FDTU research scientists.
• Publish peer reviewed publications and present at key scientific events research conducted with key scientific partners and relevant internal collaborators.
• Promote peer reviewed publications of FDTU work: Provide inputs to the software, engineering and focus areas (e.g. GIS, semantic search) teams in FDTU to identify scientific opportunities and dissemination.

4. Represent UNICEF for relevant data science and AI advisory groups.

• Promote representation of FDTU and FDN at key scientific and research events and with key scientific partners and research communities (e.g. Complex Systems, Network Science...).
• Represent UNICEF at key FDT related advisory groups and events

5. Collaborate with the Chief of FDTU and Data and Analytics Communication team to maximize internal and external frontier data communication and outreach.

• Provide content for external communication and outreach to build up financial and other support from external partners for research
• Communication in relevant media and events
• Support the Frontier Data Programme specialist in creating a communication package for internal and external stakeholders to increase understanding of Big Data, Data Science and AI and its opportunities for the organization
• Support the Frontier Data Programme specialist in creating challenges to engage external FDT communities

6. Working with the CDO unit chiefs and DAPM planning and resource mobilization specialists, participate in the formulation and execution of the CDO’s resource mobilization strategy.

• Collaborate on pitch decks targeted to various audiences, including public and private donors and aid agencies
• Participate in development of project proposals that respond to specific calls by development and other public agencies
• Seek out in-kind partnerships to strengthen FDN capacity in the areas of data, talent and technology

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in computer science, engineering, statistics, applied mathematics, physics, or other related technical fields.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant professional experience in research work in relevant field (Computer Science, Data Science, Big Data, Complex Systems)
• Experience in managing international research teams and complex projects including diverse stakeholders and interests.
• Experience working with adoption and development of new products/pilots, specially on data science for humanitarian and development: innovation, research, prototype development, partnership development
• Proven scientific experience and scientific publications in relevant field (Data Science, Computer Science, Big Data)
• Experience working with development & humanitarian programmes, on data science, AI and research projects for development programming.
• Experience synthesizing and translating technical scientific concepts into practical and accessible lines of work for developing products and systems for programs and Governments.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary (scientists, designers, developers, humanitarian specialist and development specialists) and multicultural teams and with levels of uncertainty.
• Experience participating in Expert Advisory groups and workshops for International Organizations and UN involving multiple programs, and inputting to core publications on research/innovation for general dissemination.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

The Division is currently undergoing organizational changes, therefore the exact location of the post is still under consideration. As such, the selected candidate has the option of starting the assignment remotely or should the candidate move to New York, s/he would be expected to relocate to another location as the case may be, during the contractual period.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.