ICT Specialist [Expert on Business Intelligence, Data Analytics, and Machine Learning]

Background Information – Job-specific

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the DPPA-DPO-Shared Services Information Management Unit (“IMU”) to implement project activities supporting the area of peacekeeping operations.

UN Peacekeeping has outlined a goal to “to strengthen UN peacekeeping, including by improving the performance and impact of UN peacekeeping operations in line with Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) and A4P+” agenda, and more specifically improve strategic data-driven monitoring to to strengthen the effectiveness and impact of UN Peacekeeping. The DPPA-DPO-Shared Services Information Management Unit (henceforth “IMU”) will develop a strategic reporting system to enable DPO to strengthen and deepen monitoring and reporting on A4P+ for internal management as well as reporting to Member States.

This position in UNOPS requires close coordination with IMU. The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The ICT Specialist (Expert on Business Intelligence, Data Analytics, and Machine Learning) will support a DPPA-DPO project under the UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS) portfolio.

The incumbent will provide advice and perform a specialized technical function in developing databases, cloud-based data pipelines, data management infrastructure, advanced Artificial Intelligence research, and cloud and machine learning implementation to support strategic decision making in DPO on Action for Peacekeeping (A4P+). The expert will put in place an integrated cloud-based database and set of Application Program Interfaces (APIs) to improve comprehensive performance assessment of peacekeeping via the A4P+ framework. They will also consolidate and add technical data sources to the A4P+ Strategic Reporting System, and Introduce a Natural Language Processing driven data analysis element to the A4P+ Strategic Reporting System.

Functional Responsibilities

ICT Specialist (Expert on Business Intelligence, Data Analytics, and Machine Learning) will be responsible for the following duties:

• Develop Microsoft Azure Cloud databases and implement the surrounding cloud infrastructure for A4P+ reporting;
• Develop and maintain a set of application program interfaces (APIs) to ensure secure data transfers
• Ensure easy integration of the cloud environment with data sources and for data users
• Provide advice on the development of the data management approach of the IMU;
• Analyze client’s data analytics requirements;
• Perform ad-hoc analysis and present results in a clear manner;
• Develop documentation and training materials;
• Train staff with data and analytics related problems
• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• The result of the services and work provided shall be submitted in digital formats as follows:
• Provide Microsoft Azure Cloud databases and necessary supporting infrastructure securely integrated within the UN tenant
• Develop and maintain a set of application program interfaces (APIs) to ensure secure data exchange
• Develop and maintain a set of secure cloud-based data pipelines
• Provide training to the staff/team on how to solve analytical data engineering, and machine learning/AI problems in business intelligence, knowledge management, and predictive analytics to build capacity.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a. Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Computer Science, Economics, Data Science, Information Systems Management, Machine Learning, or related field.
• A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

b. Work Experience

Required Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in data science, data analytics, and/or data management is required;
• Experience in using programming languages such as Python, Java, or other similar languages is required;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools is required.

Desired Experience (The following experiences are optional. Candidates who do not have them are welcome to apply)

• Experience applying machine learning or algorithmic techniques to solve public sector problems is desired.
• Experience in relational databases such as Microsoft SQL Server and other databases is desired.
• Experience with creating automated reports and dashboard using MS Power BI, Tableau, Access, SSRS or any other similar analytics toolsets is desired.
• Experience in development, implementation and maintenance of cloud based systems desired.
• Experience with Microsoft Azure desired; Experience in supporting qualitative and quantitative analysis of peacekeeping operations in conflict or post-conflict country settings is desired.
• A passion for empirical investigation and for answering hard questions with data in a clear and precise way is desired.
• Previous experience in the UN system and/or in other intergovernmental organizations is desirable.

c. Language

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required.
• Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an asset.