ASSOCIATE DATA SPECIALIST, NOB

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 (SDGs). 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 SDGs. 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 Associate Data Analyst contributes to interacting 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 for the development and implementation of the databases, data collection systems and data analytics that optimize statistical efficiency and quality. Specifically, as this position is situated in the Resident Coordinator’s Office, it will interact with colleagues in UN entities (resident and non-resident), with national institutions (government and civil society, private sector) and with development partners (International Financial Institutions (IFIs, bilaterals and private). The incumbent contributes significantly to the interaction 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 incumbent should support inter-agency follow-up with the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) Results Groups and Theme Groups, including consolidation and quality assurance of agency inputs, tracking of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework indicators and milestones, follow-up on reporting commitments, and preparation of evidence for Results Group, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Group and UNCT reviews. The incumbent will also support the substantive work of the UNCT Programme Management and Coordination Team. The role of the Associate Data Analyst instigates, coordinates, executes and leverages the data analyses required for various decision-making processes. Using a range of data tools and products, the Associate Data Analyst sources, processes, analyses and amplifies data to support the generation of strategic insights and products around results-oriented and evidence-based integrated planning and delivery. This position is located within the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator (Head RCO) in Pretoria, South Africa and reports to the Head of RCO.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority the incumbent will support on inter-agency UNCT mechanisms, accompany and track design and delivery of the Cooperation Framework and perform the following duties: 1. Implement databases, data collection systems, data analytics and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality. 2. Contribute to the identification, analysis and interpretation of trends or patterns, using statistical methods to identify relevant features and variables in structured sources of information and data. 3. Implement process improvement mechanisms for data analytics tasks; acquire and clean data from primary or secondary sources and maintain databases/data systems. 4. Contribute to the development of monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) products for UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks using approved indicators and tools. 5. Keep abreast of UN efforts in co-design (with the national statistical partners) digital tools and dashboards that track progress against the national SDG indicator framework for interoperability between the national gateway and other official platforms. 6. Contribute to the development of reports, dashboards or other tools to effectively summarize findings and convey information to management including RC/UNCT decision-making and use. 7. Track and report on progress regarding department specific data initiatives and annual Cooperation Framework results reporting. 8. Contribute to the creation of basic data visualization outputs to aid decision-making and communications of analysis outputs. 9. Contribute to project tasks, assist with data collection and initial analysis, and report unresolved issues to senior staff. 10. Contribute to the production of data products like reports or newsletters related to integrated, evidence- and results-based delivery and other data analysis activities. 11. Contribute to data collection and gathering business requirements across departments to identify pain points and support data-driven analysis. 12. Compile and clarify data insights and develop supporting materials in preparation for stakeholder communications. 13. Contribute to the activities for integrating monitoring milestones, indicators and evidence streams, including through UN INFO and relevant information management systems (IMS), into common data pipelines based on the Cooperation Framework and Funding Compact. 14. Assist in UNCT statistical capacity-building by contributing to the mapping and sequencing agency-specific technical assistance in line with the Cooperation Framework. 15. Keep abreast of the current and emerging trends and developments in data analytics best practices, technologies, tools, etc. 16. Assist in conducting outcome-level analysis and contribution/attribution studies using mixed-methods to inform UN reporting and UN-commissioned evaluations. 17. Contribute to the identification of gaps in the NSS using relevant statistical capacity monitoring tools and assist with the identification of solutions. 18. Contribute to data collection and preliminary analysis to support the preparation and verification of data used in model assessments. 19. Contribute to activities aimed at building capacity of staff on data analytics, including trainings for staff members and other personnel. 20. Contribute to the trainings and workshops on data analytics. 21. Assist in delivery of training on results-based management, evaluation techniques and use of monitoring, evaluation and learning for staff members and government partners. 22. Contribute to data preparation and preliminary analysis, support team members in data verification and routine reporting tasks, help in administrative aspects of the work plan. 23. Assist with activities for monitoring, evaluation and learning cycle to support the MEL group and national counterparts—so that planning, data collection, synthesis, validation and learning loops reinforce monitoring and support national statistical processes and standards. 24. Perform other related tasks as assigned.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to identify and develop sources for data collection. Ability to undertake research, analyze data, make recommendations and write draft reports on sustainable development issues. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient