Location: New York
Deadline: Thursday, 14 November 2013
Deadline: Thursday, 14 November 2013
UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, our vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.
UNOPS provides services in sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement and sustainable project management, with projects ranging from building schools, roads, bridges and hospitals to procuring goods and services and training local personnel.
By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.
We employ more than 6,000 personnel annually and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of regional and country offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.
UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.
Background Information - Development Group Cluster
Development Group Cluster
The UNOPS Development Group Cluster is based in the North America Office and supports a diverse and complex portfolio including partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (the Bureau for Development Policy, the Human Development Report Office, and the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation), the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Capital Development Fund, the United Nations Secretariat and a broadening community of primarily New York-based UN partners in the delivery of project management, implementation and administration services.
Background Information - Job-specific
Background information -
Global Pulse Global Pulse is an innovation initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General, established to harness today's new world of digital data and real-time analytics to gain a better understanding of changes in human well-being. Global Pulse aims to contribute a future in which access to better information sooner makes it possible to keep international development on track, protect the world's most vulnerable populations, and strengthen resilience to global shocks. Global Pulse is being implemented as a global network of Pulse Labs, bringing together expertise from UN agencies, governments, academia, and the private sector to research, develop, test and share tools and approaches for harnessing real-time data for more effective and efficient policy action. For more information on Global Pulse, see http://www.unglobalpulse.org.
To achieve its goals, Global Pulse is looking for a Big Data Specialist to work in Global Pulse in New York on knowledge management in the Pulse Lab Network (which includes two country-level labs in Jakarta and Kampala), and between Global Pulse and its UN partners. The Big Data Specialist will also be expected to analyse data retrieved through new and varied data sources, and to tailor research projects to the UN System's needs.
Functional Responsibilities Institutional arrangement- The Big Data Specialist will report to the Chief of Research;
- He or she will report on the progress of activities on a weekly basis and this will be done in line with the set deliverables of the assignment;
- He or she will be supported with all required equipment and resources to conduct the required assignment.
Below are some of the functionalities.
- Design and implement a knowledge management strategy for the Pulse Lab Network;
- Design, maintain and update a 'Big Data for Development repository' and curriculum that includes best research examples and use cases. Prepare educational and training materials based on the previous repository (targeting sectorial technical specialists working in the UN system);
- Coordinate knowledge sharing practices and meetings among the research teams from the different Pulse Labs;
- Evaluate and assess relevant open-source end-user software tools useful for analyzing social media and network data;
- Evaluate and assess relevant commercial Big Data analysis tools and solutions and their potential in BD4D;
- Produce data visualizations and interactive web interfaces illustrating data analysis research projects;
- Perform data studies and data discovery together with UN agency partners around new data sources or new uses for existing data sources;
- Co-design with the communications team the standard web-based interactive reporting format for publishing and communicating big data for development research projects.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Expected Outputs and Deliverables
- Draft design of BD4D repository and outline curriculum.
End of Month 1.
- Develop a strategy and template for Knowledge outputs based on research products across the Pulse Lab Network.
End of month 2.
- Design specifications for a 'social media for development' data analysis toolkit.
End of month 3.
- Knowledge management strategy and implementation tools for the Pulse Lab Network.
End of month 4.
- Evaluation and assessment of utility of end-user open source and commercial tools for social media analytics relevant to the Pulse Lab Network.
End of month 5.
- Final report on all research projects activity and creative interactive visualization report on data findings.
Required end of 6th month.
CompetenciesPlanning and organizing- Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
- identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required;
- allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
- foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
- uses time efficiently.
- Demonstrable ability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, manage workflows and operate as part of a dispersed team with members across various time zones.
- Good organizational skills, with timely and detail-oriented implementation of tasks.
Communication
- Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
- asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
- tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience;
- demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
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.
Knowledge Management and Learning
- Willing to evaluate and adopt the latest advances in AI, machine learning, predictive analysis and visualization.
- Shares knowledge and experience;
- actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
- Leadership and Self-Management
- Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
Professionalism
- Demonstrable ability to work independently with minimal supervision, but also to function effectively as part of a team.
- Experience working with diverse programming languages, design patterns, frameworks, libraries and platforms.
- Flexible, adaptable, and experience working in a start-up environment.
- Ability to work directly with internal and external clients to define requirements for analysis and reporting.
- Passion for Big Data, computers, software engineering, architecture design, and application development.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education- Masters degree in social sciences, development, statistics, economics, or related disciplines.
- A first degree and an additional two years relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the higher university degree.
Experience
- At least five years of professional experience in an IT environment including at least three years of experience in analysis and visualization, preferably in the big data for development space; and three years of experience setting up web-based portals for reporting and presenting data analysis and research results;
- Experience working in humanitarian or development in a developing country;
- Experience working with Big Data, social network data, and geospatial data;
- Experience working in knowledge management in developing countries;
- Experience with scripting, coding, and web design required for data access, analysis, and presentation;
- Familiarity with analytical techniques such as text mining, sentiment analysis, predictive analysis, event detection, and modeling of complex systems;
- Demonstrated experience presenting to both technical and non-technical audiences;
- Knowledge of a wide range of social media analysis tools, and statistical software like SAS, SPSS, and R.;
Language
- Fluent written and oral English required.
- Knowledge of another UN language an asset.
- Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
- Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
- The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
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