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. Ukraine represents one of the United Nations’ largest and most complex country operations. The UN Country Team (UNCT) comprises of 23 UN entities, including 19 with an in-country presence, and approximately 2,300 personnel. The UN operates in a highly dynamic environment in which humanitarian response, recovery and reconstruction, development and reform are unfolding simultaneously. The United Nations Cooperation Framework 2025–2029 provides the overarching framework for the UN’s development cooperation with Ukraine. With a planned resource envelope of more than US$4 billion, it brings together the work of UN entities across four strategic priorities covering human capital and social protection; inclusive economic growth; environment and green recovery; and peace, justice and strong institutions. Implementation is supported through UNCT Results Groups and other thematic and issue-based coordination mechanisms. Reflecting the scale and complexity of the operation, the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Ukraine is considerably larger than a typical RCO and includes several senior advisers and specialized capacities supporting the Resident Coordinator and UNCT across recovery, economics, partnerships, Humanitarian, Development and other areas. The RCO plays a central role in helping the UNCT translate the Cooperation Framework into coherent collective action, while connecting development efforts with the broader humanitarian, recovery and reform context. The government of Ukraine and its partners, including the UN and international organizations generate a substantial volume of data, assessments and analysis. These information streams are drawn from multiple sources and systems and vary in methodology, geographic coverage and purpose. While considerable data and analytical capacity exists across the UN system in Ukraine, a continuing challenge is to bring this information together systematically and use it more strategically to understand changes in the operating environment, assess collective results, identify gaps and emerging priorities, and inform programme and management decisions. The scale and diversity of UN programming also place significant demands on results-based management, monitoring, evaluation, planning and reporting. This includes ensuring that joint workplans, indicators and reporting provide a credible picture of the UN’s contribution to Cooperation Framework outcomes; strengthening the use of evidence in programme design and adaptation; and supporting greater consistency in approaches across Results Groups and participating UN entities. Against this background, the Data Specialist will provide strategic and technical leadership to strengthen the UNCT’s use of data, evidence and results-based management. The Officer will help turn dispersed data and information into analysis that can inform UNCT priorities and programming; support Results Groups in results-based planning, monitoring and reporting; and chair the UNCT Data and Monitoring and Evaluation Group, bringing together relevant capacities across UN entities. The function will also support stronger linkages between UN data and analytical work and national statistical systems and processes, helping ensure that collective UN planning and reporting are evidence-based, coherent and aligned with national priorities and the Cooperation Framework. Key areas of responsibility, would therefore focus on: Cooperation Framework monitoring, evaluation and learning, data management, analytics and quality assurance, formulating data products and visualization and strengthening national statistical system and SDG Data, capacity development and knowledge management and coordination. The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Kyiv, Ukraine, 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.
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, ensuring interoperability between the national gateway, and other official platforms (using SDMX standard where appropriate)
Develop reports, dashboards or other tools to effectively summarize findings and convey information to management.
Document requirements, background information and methodology and establish documentation practices and standards for other staff to follow.
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.
Provide support to integrate monitoring milestones, indicators and evidence streams into common data pipelines, ensuring alignment with the Cooperation Framework and Funding Compact
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
Collaborate with data engineers and data scientists to improve data flows, data quality, etc.
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.
Conduct outcome-level analysis and contribution/attribution studies using mixed-methods to inform UN reporting and UN-commissioned evaluations
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 the assessment of model evaluation using appropriate validation metrics to ensure the model is comprehensive and supports the organizational objectives.
Conduct activities aimed at building capacity of staff on data analytics, including trainings for staff members and other personnel.
Deliver training on results-based management, evaluation techniques and use of monitoring, evaluation and learning for staff members and government partners
Contribute to the provision of ‘data clinics’ on relevant topics, including gender-responsive statistics, new census methodologies, drawing on UN expertise and global curricula from the statistical community
Deliver trainings and workshops on data analytics tailored to different audiences as appropriate.
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.
Collaborate on the end-to-end monitoring, evaluation and learning cycle by working with 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.
Utilize acquired resources to build analysis, reporting and quality control.
Support the development of materials for external and internal audits through data preparation, compliance tracking, and report generation.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Strategic thinking, Analytical thinking. Coordination skills. Working collaboratively. 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. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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.
CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

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 in database management to extract, transform, and load data from various sources is required. The ability to perform quality assurance of data analysis outputs is required Skill to communicate complex and technical matters to diverse audiences is required. Skills in data storytelling and data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, Qlik, and R is desirable. Skills in programme/project management is desired.

Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
English	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III
Ukrainian	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment, such as a written test, which will be followed by a competency-based interview by phone/teleconference (MS Teams) or in-person where possible.

Special Notice

This is a Fixed Term position. Appointment against this position is available for a duration of one (1) year and does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal. The appointment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. THIS RECRUITMENT REMAINS SUBJECT TO BUDGETARY, CLASSIFICATION, AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. National Professional Officers are nationals of the country in which they are serving, and their functions must have a national context, i.e. functions that require national experience or knowledge of the national language, culture, institutions, and systems. THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF UKRAINE ONLY. National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, UKRAINIAN nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to UKRAINE in the event of an employment offer. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Note to current staff members at the General Service level: Locally recruited General Service staff members applying for this post must meet the minimum requirements, including academic qualifications and years of relevant experience. Relevant experience in the General Service category at G-6 and G-7 levels may count towards experience requirements. Internal Applicants: When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

DATA SPECIALIST