Data Specialist
Organizational Context
The UN Secretariat's Resident Coordinator System (RCS) supports countries in achieving development priorities and SDGs. Following a 2019 reform, the Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) was established to oversee the RCS. A 2026 recalibration aims to align the system with UN 2.0 principles, emphasizing data, digital, innovation, and foresight. This Data Specialist role is situated within the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Abuja, Nigeria.
Job Purpose
The Data Specialist will develop and implement databases, data collection systems, and analytics to optimize statistical efficiency and quality, supporting the UN Country Team's (UNCT) inter-agency groups and Cooperation Framework tracking. The role involves identifying and analyzing trends, developing reporting tools and dashboards, and creating data visualizations to aid decision-making. Responsibilities include documenting methodologies, collaborating with data engineers and scientists, and staying abreast of data analytics best practices. The position also entails building data analytics capacity among staff, supporting project execution through robust analysis, identifying gaps in national statistical systems, and contributing to monitoring, evaluation, and learning cycles. The incumbent will also supervise colleagues and execute specific data-centric projects, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and standards.
Responsibilities
Develop and implement databases, data collection systems, and analytics to optimize statistical efficiency and quality. Identify, analyze, and interpret trends using statistical methods. Develop and implement analysis, reporting, and quality control capabilities, identifying data sources and process improvement opportunities. Create reports, dashboards, and data visualizations to convey findings to management. Document methodologies and establish data practices. Collaborate with data engineers and scientists to enhance data flows and quality. Build data analytics capacity through training. Support project execution with robust data analysis. Identify gaps in national statistical systems and recommend UN responses. Assess model evaluation and conduct outcome-level analysis. Supervise colleagues and oversee data-centric projects. Collaborate on monitoring, evaluation, and learning cycles, supporting national statistical processes.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressive experience in translating business requirements into technical solutions is required. Demonstrated skills in data storytelling and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Qlik, R) are required. Experience in quality assurance of data analysis outputs is required. Experience in data accuracy and consistency assessment is desirable. Strategic support experience in research, data analysis, knowledge management, or project management within development cooperation is also desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, Strategic Thinking, Analytical Thinking, Data Collection, Data Analysis, Communication, Planning and Organizing, Data Storytelling, Data Visualization, Quality Assurance, Data Validation.