Early Warning, Conflict and Data Analytics Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region consists of mostly middle-income countries with various degrees of political, socio-economic, and environmental vulnerabilities. Over the last couple of years, the region has seen an increase in compound risks from diminishing civic space, the erosion of social cohesion, continued challenges to the rule of law and human rights, elite capture and corruption, increased stigmatization of minority groups, social conflict between communities and extractive industries, divisive narratives and hate speech, cross-border and ethnic tensions and armed conflicts. Unresolved status of enclaves, disputed territories and contested border delimitations across the region are also endemic issues that have led to sporadic violence in the past decade and created a persistent risk of escalation. Ongoing armed conflicts are also resulting in significant displacement, extensive damage to critical infrastructure, and undermined social cohesion in the areas worst affected by the conflict, while continuing to affect community security and safety, and limiting access to basic services. In order to address the need for continued and systematic analysis of contextual risks in the Europe and Central Asia region, the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) is scaling up its capacity for data analytics and use of the UNDP Crisis Risk Dashboards (CRD) tools with the support of UNDP Crisis Bureau and UNDP IICPSD’ SDG AI Lab. The CRD is an online platform for data aggregation and visualization, aimed at facilitating the identification, tracking and analysis of contextual risks by the UNDP IRH and potentially the wider UN system.

This assignment is a part of the collaboration between UNDP Governance & Peacebuilding Team, UNDP IICPSD’ SDG AI Lab and UNDP Crises Bureau’s Crisis Risks and Early Warning Team. The UNV will support the implementation of CRD Regional Dashboard for Central Asia, as well as assist data analysis and elaboration of a monthly newsletter in support to UNDP Offices in Europe and Central Asia

Under the joint supervision of the UNDP IRH Regional Conflict Prevention & Peacebuilding Specialist and UNDP IICPSD Technical Specialist, the UN Volunteer will also work in close collaboration with the Crisis Risks and Early Warning team at the UNDP Crisis Bureau, and undertake the following tasks: • Support the development of Crisis Risk Dashboards, early warning systems and other da-ta analytic tools and for the Europe and Central Asia Region. • Assist in the elaboration of risk monitoring newsletters in support to UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe & Central Asia, to Country Offices and the UN System • Support the organization, and participate, in various international events and community of practice on Conflict Prevention & Peacebuilding, Early Warning and Data Analytics • Provide analytical and research support to the UNDP Governance & Peacebuilding Team • Conduct research on application of big data and machine learning approaches to development issues. • Develop and implement digital solutions to tackle issues in the field of Conflict Prevention & Peacebuilding • Contribute to data acquisition, preparation, analysis, and visualizations efforts. • Support research work to unravel promising fields in development for the application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning. • Provide as needed support as needed, participating in meetings, conferences, providing administrative and communications support, drafting meeting minutes and perform other functions and duties.

☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Creativity ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Technological Awareness ☒ Working in Teams

the field of International Cooperation, International Relations, Development and/or Humanitarian Support • Demonstrated experience and/or knowledge of the Europe & Central Asia region • Have experience in a least two of the following: o Experience working in the field of conflict prevention and peacebuilding o Experience carrying out/contributing to Conflict Analysis and/or Political Economy Analysis o Experience with risk monitoring and early warning system o Experience with data analytics and data visualization o Experience with big data and machine learning approaches to development and/or conflict issues.

The UN Volunteer will be based in Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey where everything is available including education, health services, accommodation and entertainment. There is a lively and large group of international community. Istanbul airport has direct connections with all European and global cities. Istanbul is a Security level 3 (Moderate) duty station. Living Conditions for Istanbul: Turkey is an upper middle-income country, with highly-urbanized cities and well developed infrastructure systems. Most of Turkey is assessed to be at security level 1-Minimal. Security level 2 Low applies to Ankara and Istanbul. Seismic activity remains one of the primary hazards in Turkey. Turkey’s population of nearly 81 million is almost entirely Muslim. Turkish is the official language. English predominates as the second language. The post will be located in Istanbul, which has a population of around 15M people, and straddles the European and Asian continents. Istanbul is a UN Hub for the Europe and Central Asia Regional Offices of several UN agencies, including UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women among others. There is a lively and large group of international community. Istanbul International Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport have direct connections with all European, Central Asian and global cities. Istanbul provides modern services and entertainment opportunities and an elaborate medical services system. Healthcare is exceptionally good with various public and private hospitals with experienced doctors and medical staff, some of whom speak English. No specific vaccination is required to enter Turkey. Considering the rapidly changing pandemic situation in Istanbul, travelers should consult the receiving entity or the partner UN Agency, or UNDSS about the latest travel requirements/restrictions.