Big Data Research Scientist

Background Information - Job-specific

Global Pulse is an innovation initiative of the Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General, exploring how digital data and real-time analytics can be used to understand and respond to changes in human well-being. To this end, Global Pulse is working to promote awareness of the opportunities Big Data presents for relief and development, forge public-private data sharing partnerships, generate high-impact analytical tools and approaches, and drive broad adoption of useful innovations across the UN System.

Global Pulse is seeking a Big Data Research Scientist to perform research that will advance ongoing projects and provide impacts and guidance for future big data innovation projects.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Data Scientist, the incumbent will execute the following duties: 

• Undertake scientific research on harnessing Big Data to improve both the understanding of population behavior, needs, and vulnerabilities, as well as capacity to monitor and evaluate the impacts of public sector polices and programmes;       
• Document advances in big data and artificial intelligence including sectoral deep dives in fields like health;
• Perform data discovery studies and software prototypes;
• Assist in developing new approaches to detecting events and trends within real-time data sources such as online media, social networks, imagery, geospatial data, communications logs, transaction records, etc.;
• Write code and scripts to perform data cleaning, analysis and modeling;
• Design and implement statistical data quality procedures around new data sources in the context of their application to development and humanitarian issues;      
• Coordinate with multiple partners including UN agencies, government entities, the private sector and academia when required;     
• Implement any software required for accessing and handling data appropriately;
• Produce high quality written technical reports and visualize data findings creatively in a variety of formats;
• Draft and review project proposals, concept notes and scientific articles;
• Prepare presentations and communication materials as required;
• Support and advise Global Pulse policy activities as required;

Education

• Advanced degree in computer science, statistics, applied mathematics, physics, computational epidemiology, economics, engineering or other related technical disciplines.
• A first degree and an additional two years relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the higher university degree.

Experience

• At least five years of experience in data analysis and visualization, preferably in the big data for development space, is required;
• Familiarity with analytical techniques from machine learning, artificial intelligence, and modeling of complex systems is required;  
• Experience coding algorithms (Python, R or an equivalent programming environment), data access, analysis and data visualization methodologies for call detail records, social media data or any other big data source is required;
• Demonstrated experience documenting processes and/or writing scientific research articles required; 
• Demonstrated experience working in multidisciplinary projects between data/science/technology and health informatics or development or humanitarian response is an asset;
• Willingness to evaluate and adopt the latest advances in AI, machine learning, predictive analysis and visualization. Demonstrated ability to translate between data/science/technology and international development and humanitarian experts is an asset;
• Proven ability to manage relationships with partners, including government, universities, UN organizations, NGOs and the private sector is an asset;

• Fluency in English and a working knowledge of another UN language is an asset

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

 ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development.
• Position UNOPS in the Balkan sub-region, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Strengthen the implementation of ECR global and regional programmes, with revitalized partnerships in infrastructure, procurement and project management.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.

Based in the New York, the UNOPS Development Group Cluster supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. For example, within the United Nations Development Programme, the Cluster works with the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support and the Office of South-South Cooperation.

The cluster also supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations in the delivery of project management and implementation services

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types. 
   

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.