Statistical Assistant (Wildlife crime and trafficking data)

Contract

This is a G-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-5 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Data Development and Dissemination Section (DDDS), Research and Trend Analysis Branch (RAB), Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in Vienna. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Statistician, overseeing the Data Processing and Dissemination team in DDDS, and the additional supervision of the Research Officer (Wildlife Crime) of the Crime Research Section (CRS).

For more information on unodc, please visit www.unodc.org.

Responsibilities Within assigned authority, the Statistical Assistant will be responsible for the following specific duties:

• Compile and process data sets on wildlife crime and trafficking produced by Member States and other international collection systems and ensure their incorporation into the existing World Wise database; review, store, file and maintain the information provided by Member States and collected through other sources.
• Continue the compilation and processing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) annual illegal trade reports database on worldwide wildlife seizures information provided by CITES Parties and received through CITES Secretariat and ensure their integration into the World Wise database.
• Standardize and validate collected data to ensure consistency and comprehensiveness; interpret and adjust anomalous data using standard statistical procedures and techniques, under the guidance of supervisors; implement quality guidelines and standard procedures to provide a solid foundation for the accuracy of the data and ensuing analysis; assist in checking quality and consistency of final datasets.
• Support data management and contribute to the design and establishment of relevant database(s) on wildlife crime and trafficking; contribute to design and development of databases, including internal IT tools for the processing of data and for making data available to analysts within UNODC;
• Prepare and arrange for the publication of collected data ensuring high quality of disseminated data and metadata.
• Apply statistical techniques and IT skills to assist in the preparation of national, regional and global estimates of relevant indicators; provide data support for the production of relevant reports.
• Assist in drafting an annual data quality assessment report.
• Contribute to the refinement and production of the Sustainable Development Goal Indicator 15.7.1 (SDG Indicator 15.7.1: Proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked).
• Contribute to methodological discussions on data standards and conversion factors, in coordination with CITES Secretariat and UN Environment Programme – World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC); Ensure coordination with UNEP-WCMC, to update nomenclatures adopted by the CITES Conference of the Parties and ensure alignment with trade standard terms and codes.
• Support CITES in the improvement of the quality and the coverage of the data, through communication with CITES Parties and/or Reporting Authorities.
• Prepare data sets upon request, respond to queries/requests and maintain/update web pages.

• Perform other work-related duties as assigned.

  Competencies - Professionalism: Has the ability and knowledge to handle large datasets and to process and analyze data, using statistical software; Is able to design data collection and analysis procedures; Is able to apply sound judgement in the context of assignments given. Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to drugs and crime related issues with a specific focus on wildlife crimes. Has very good research and analytical skills, is able to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues. Has knowledge of various research methodologies and sources. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

• Technological awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

  Education High school diploma or equivalent is required.

  Job - Specific Qualification Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application.

The GGST is a proctored entry-level examination at the duty station. Any travel expenses incurred in order to take the examination are the responsibility of the candidate and will not be reimbursed by the Organization.

Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test [in English] at the United Nations headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International criminal tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.

Work Experience Minimum five (5) years of experience in statistics, environmental studies or related area is required.

Experience in wildlife crime research is required.

Experience in the use of statistical software, such as, R, and/or Python, and use of large databases, e.g. MS Access and experience in computer programming (e.g. SQL) is required.

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required.

Experience in working with the United Nations system and/or similar international organization is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.