Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located centrally in the Communications and External Relations, Office of the Secretary-General, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The incumbent reports to Chief of Section, Information Systems Officer or a more senior Information Systems Assistant.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Data Visualization Information Systems Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

Develops data visualizations, advance interactive digital products and narrative experiences (scroll-telling) that communicate complex trade, economic and statistical information to diverse audiences.
Develops, tests and implements web application systems, interactive data visualizations and digital products using UN established standards for IT technologies, programming languages and tools facilitating the communication of analytical, statistical and research-based content through engaging digital formats.
Conducts web analytics and social media audience engagement analysis, prepares performance reports and provides evidence-based recommendations to improve content strategy, user experience and digital outreach on the web and intranet.
Serves as team member in the planning, specification, design, development, implementation and support of web application systems ,digital products and data visualization solutions; independently liaises with users and substantive experts to define, and specify requirements, translate analytical and statistical information into effective digital formats and support the presentation of research findings and flagship report content.
Supports the implementation and enhancement of web application systems and digital products according to specifications; monitors web applications using appropriate frameworks, tools and produces performance monitoring reports and recommends improvements to functionality, enhanced user experience and content presentation for innovative web formats, intranet and interactive publications. Optimizes the user experience making the website and intranet easier to navigate and more intuitive.
Prepares training materials and conducts data visualization presentations.
Maintains functional specifications for web application systems, programs and procedures developed and/or modified.
Participates in the development of web sites, tailored content sites and intranet pages and performs ongoing maintenance for optimal delivery. including version management; performs ongoing reviews with users and developers and responds to users requests.
Collaborates in creating, maintaining and enhancing Drupal content management system (CMS) using authoring tools.
Drafts communications, including work plan revisions and other related issues, as well as prepares contributions on data visualization and web related matters.
Serves as focal point for data visualization coordination and technical monitoring of application systems, development of web projects, involving extensive liaison across divisions to initiate requests.
Keeps abreast of developments in the field; performs benchmarking and proposes new acquisitions.
Provides guidance to new/junior staff.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of organizational information infrastructure, including hardware, software and application systems. Knowledge of relevant web programming language(s), web technologies and content management systems and ability to apply technical skills to develop web information systems and digital products. Knowledge of system development workflow and document flow processes, ability to conduct research and gather information from a wide variety of standard and non-standard sources. Ability to analyze user requirements and translate analytical, statistical and research based information into accessible and visually effective digital formats, including data visualization and interactive web products. Ability to respond to changing requirements and assignments, and to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. Ability to design, develop and enhance websites and digital products focusing on trade, development and macroeconomic issues with due consideration for user experience, accessibility and audience engagement. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

Planning & 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.
Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent. A diploma or equivalent in computer science, IT, engineering or related area is an advantage. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five (5) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher.

Work Experience

Seven years of experience in information systems analysis and programming, systems administration and maintenance, data visualization, software development, technical writing or related area is required. Experience in drupal building web sites using built-in and contributed modules including production development of website is desirable. Experience in modern web development (HTML5, CSS, Javascript) is required. Experience using tools such as Datawrapper is required. Experience using advance data visualization tools such as D3.js and highcharts is desirable. Experience in an international organization is desirable. Experience developing websites that focus on transforming trade and macroeconomics data into information that is visually appealing and easy to understand is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The initial duration of this temporary job opening is for three (3) months with possibility of extension, starting as soon as possible. The extension of the appointment is subject to the satisfactory performance and availability of post and funds. Candidates should have no expectation of any fixed-term appointment possibility after the end of this temporary assignment. If the selected candidate is an internal staff member of the UN Secretariat, the selection will be recorded as a temporary assignment. Subsequent to the initial temporary appointment, new and successive temporary appointments may be granted for service in the same office or in a different office any number of times, for any duration, provided that the length of service does not exceed the period of 364 calendar days. Upon separation from service, including, but not limited to, expiration or termination of, or resignation from, a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment on the basis of a temporary appointment for a period of 31 days following the separation. In the case of separation from service on retirement, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment for a period of three months following the separation. This equally applies, mutatis mutandis, with respect to a former or current staff member who has held or holds an appointment in another entity applying the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and who applies for a temporary position with the Secretariat. A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments. In its resolution 66/234, the General Assembly further “stressed that the Secretary-General should not recur to the practice of temporarily filling posts in the Professional and higher categories with General Service staff members who have not passed the General Service to Professional category examination other than on an exceptional basis, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that temporary occupation of such posts by the General Service staff shall not exceed a period of one year, effective 1 January 2013…” Consequently, eligible candidates in the General Service or related categories for temporary job openings in the Professional category that have not passed the competitive examination may be selected only on an exceptional basis endorsed by the Office of Human Resources Management where no other suitable candidate could be identified. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. A staff member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and above categories on a temporary appointment and placed on a position authorized for one year or longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the end of his/her current service. This provision does not apply to staff members holding temporary appointments and placed on positions authorized for one year or more in duty stations authorized for peacekeeping operations or special political missions. The expression “Internal candidates” shall mean staff members who have been recruited after a competitive examination under staff rule 4.16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule 4.15. For more details on the administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English. Please note that candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

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.

INFORMATION SYSTEMS ASSISTANT/DATA VISUALIZATION (Temporary Job Opening)