Data Scientist specialist Consultancy LACRO, Panama City (16 months) HOME-BASED

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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, hope

The UNICEF Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office is based in in Panama, operating in 36 territories, including 24 country offices.

UNICEF works to put the rights and well-being of the most disadvantaged children at the heart of the social, political, and economic agenda, in line with our equity focus, working across our organization and with our partners in government, civil society and the private sector to support shifts in public policy, fuel social engagement, and increase investment for children.

For more information about UNICEF and its work. (www.unicef.org/lac)..)

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF is seeking for a consultant who will assist its Latin American and Caribbean Regional Office to identify key areas of work, drive analysis and research on areas such as humanitarian action and climate change, and support key scientific engagements within the Latin American region and with other partners in Europe and America.

Under the supervision of the UNICEF Regional Humanitarian Monitoring Specialist, the consultant will provide support to facilitate the information management on cross-border movements across the region by conducting analysis and research, including the development of predictive models on migration, and the automation of an early warning mechanism on the capacity of the services provided to migrant population in transit. It is also expected to support on exploring the use of AI and big data techniques to better understand situations of concerns and UNICEF’s programmatic needs, in collaboration with the Frontier Data Network, and collaborators from academia in LAC and globally.

In this context, is expected the consultant to:

• Collaborate with UNICEF LAC RO and other divisions such as EMOPS, DAPM and ICTD to improve the ability to use frontier data and machine learning models.

• Create tools and analysis that assist country offices and regional in their data work.

• Support and guide UNICEF in the use of AI tools and big data techniques.

• Collaborate with external partners to bring the knowledge and data agreement necessaries to strengthen the UNICEF LAC RO capacity to use frontier data technologies.

In addition, the consultant is expected to support the RO and COs in the use of multiple data processing, analysis, and visualization techniques, presenting easily understandable technical information and findings to programme sectors and management, such as data visualization, mapping, and narrative writing.

Specific Tasks:

The main responsibilities and tasks are outlined below:

1. Identify potential areas of work related to applied science and frontier data technologies that can benefit the LAC region in the generation of evidence.

2. Support the timely preparation, maintenance, and provision of technological solutions regarding current and future children-related data in LAC.

3. Support the migration of the regional monitoring mechanism on migration to UNICEF RO data environment.

4. Create a regional data warehouse.

5. Develop machine learning models able to predict migration-related metrics.

6. Organize a regional workshop on frontier data technologies.

7. Actively participate in UNICEF’s Frontier Data Tec Network.

8. Develop materials for communication and dissemination of scientific areas, efforts and products, such as maps,

infographics, charts, etc.

Expected Results:

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

• Education: An advanced university degree (Master's) or higher level in computer science, software engineering, data science, applied mathematics or a relevant field, including techniques used in data modeling and machine learning, combined with a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, or a related discipline.
• Experience: At least 8 years of relevant work experience in the field of data science and analytics with strong knowledge in machine learning.
  • Data modeling and machine learning.
  • Programming and software development: Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R is essential, with a demonstrated ability to write efficient and maintainable code.
  • Data preprocessing and cleaning.
  • Demonstrated experience in implementing data modeling solutions.
  • Ability to work with tight deadlines, take initiative, be pro-active and work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Languages: Fluency in Spanish and English

• Technical Knowledge: Must be familiar / experienced with the following computer skills:

  • Kobo toolbox.
  • Power BI and Tableau.
  • Python.
  • RStudio, STATA or SPSS.
  • QGIS or ARCGIS.
  • Databricks.

• Other skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships with UNICEF country offices.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Administrative details

Supervision: The consultant will work under the overall supervision and guidance of the Regional Humanitarian Monitoring Specialist.

Workplace: The consultancy is home-based. No travels are involved

Duration: Estimated start date is first week of September 2023 with an estimated duration of 16 months

How to Apply: Application should be submitted online and should include: TMS application form duly completed, Cover Letter, Study certificates and Financial proposal.

Qualified candidates are requested to indicate an all-inclusive (lump sum) fees for the services to be including all associated administrative costs. Consultants must have their own equipment, tools and materials needed to perform their services. They will use their own laptops/computers, any application or system needed to complete the assignment. They need to provide the full service without using UNICEF resources. The access to UNICEF email and system is restricted to UNICEF staff therefore consultants should not be granted access unless it is imperative to complete the assignment.

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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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:

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.