Data Specialist

Job Description Roles & Responsibilities Org. Setting and Reporting The UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator - the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at country level - support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDG's. In its Resolution A/RES/72/279, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the transformation of the Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) as a stand-alone coordination office within the United Nations Secretariat. DCO exercises managerial and oversight functions of the resident coordinator system under the oversight of the Chair of United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). In 2026, DCO undertook a recalibration to ensure the RC system remains optimally configured to support the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda and embodies the UN 2.0 shift- anchored in data, digital, innovation, behavioral science, strategic foresight, and a mission driven organizational culture. The Data Specialist interacts with counterparts, officers and technical staff in relevant organizational units in data engineering, data science and other data specialists, data owners and subject matter experts to develop and implement the databases, data collection systems and data analytics that optimize statistical efficiency and quality. It also interacts with external counterparts in the UN funds, programs and other UN specialized agencies, consultants, and NGOs to collaborate and exchange information and best practices. The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Beirut, Lebanon, under the direct supervision of the Head of the Resident Coordinator Office. Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: Develop and implement databases, data collection systems, data analytics and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality. Identify, analyse, and interpret trends or patterns, using statistical methods to identify relevant features and variables in structured and unstructured sources of information and data. Develop and implement various analysis, reporting and quality control capabilities; identify appropriate data sources for analytics projects; locate and define new data analysis process improvement opportunities. Support the development of monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) products for UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks, leveraging UN organizations systems, UN approved indicators, Power BI and other approved tools. Develop reports, dashboards or other tools to effectively summarize findings and convey information to management. Create interactive and static data visualizations and employ advanced features of data visualization tools to aid decision-making and communications of analysis outputs. Lead production of data products such as reports or newsletters related to data analysis activities. Drafts inputs for a wide range of documents/reports, briefings/debriefings, correspondence, etc. Establish communication and cooperation with other parts of the organization to request data and express data needs. Support UNCT statistical capacity-building by mapping and sequencing agency specific technical assistance in line with Cooperation Framework, broker pooled funding opportunities for National Statistical System (NSS) priorities, and support convenings of data-partners between government, donors and civil society. Keep abreast of the current and emerging trends and developments in data analytics best practices, technologies and tools, and update management with findings and suggestions. Identify gaps in the NSS using relevant statistical capacity monitoring tools and recommend coordinated UN responses, highlighting opportunities to leverage big-data pilots, citizen-generated data, or geospatial solutions. Support projects execution by conducting robust data analysis and collaborate with other team members to ensure that projects adhere to work plan objectives. Supervise and guide other colleagues in the data-centric roles. Execute and oversee specific projects and activities, ensuring effective use of resources and alignment with planned objectives. Perform other duties as assigned. Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Working collaboratively, Strategic thinking, Analytical thinking. Coordination skills. Programme/Project management skills. Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis on sustainable development topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing sources for data collection. 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. 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. PLANNING 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. Desired Candidate Profile Education An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in computer science, data science, analytics, statistics, applied mathematics, information management, data management, information systems, information science, economic or social sciences, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific Qualification An active certificate in relevant areas such as data engineering, data management, or cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) is desirable. Work Experience A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience demonstrating the knowledge, skills and ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions is required. Demonstrated knowledge of foundational concepts in data manipulation and data analysis such as data structures, statistical methods, etc. is required Demonstrated knowledge of data life cycle including data collection, data wrangling, analysis, visualization, deployment, monitoring, and reporting is required. Demonstrated knowledge in database management to extract, transform, and load data from various sources is required. Demonstrated skills in developing and executing training programs and curricula across different levels and target audience using various methods is required. Demonstrated skills in data storytelling and data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, Qlik, and R is desirable. Ability to assess data accuracy and consistency by performing data validation is desirable. Demonstrated skills to communicate complex and technical matters to diverse audiences is desirable. Demonstrated skills in relational databases (SQL) and programming languages (Python, R) is desirable. Ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions is desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and Arabic are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult Company Industry RecruitmentPlacement FirmExecutive Search Department / Functional Area IT Software Keywords Data Specialist Get real-time job updates only on our App