Data Scientist

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

Global Portfolios Office (GPO), New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.

The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement defined activities in support of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has a Centre for  Humanitarian Data in The Hague, the Netherlands which is focused on increasing the use and impact of  data in the humanitarian sector. The vision is to create a future where all people involved in a humanitarian  emergency have access to the data they need, when and how they need it, to make responsible and  informed decisions. The Centre has four workstreams: data services (managing the Humanitarian Data  Exchange platform), data responsibility, data literacy and data science.  

An area of emerging interest in the humanitarian sector is data science and anticipatory action: asking what will happen in a particular humanitarian context and using available data and models to arrive at an answer. The Centre’s data science team has supported OCHA’s anticipatory action frameworks in a dozen countries, enabling humanitarian organisations to get ahead of shocks and mitigate their impact. After a successful pilot phase, OCHA is now looking at the modalities for scaling and mainstreaming anticipatory action.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

UNOPS is seeking to recruit a Data Scientist who has the skills and experience to assess available models, develop new models and generate recommendations for their use in anticipatory action. We are looking for a candidate who is familiar with the analytical methods used in the humanitarian sector, and can think strategically about how to use data to create value for crisis response. The right candidate has the skills and abilities to develop analytical models designed to turn data into action. They should also be self-motivated and able to thrive in an international, multidisciplinary team. 

The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

The Data Scientist will report to the Data Science Team Lead under the overall direction of the Lead for the Centre for Humanitarian Data. The incumbent will be expected to work closely with the rest of the Centre team.

1. Researching partner models to understand their design and potential application in humanitarian operations.
2. Designing new tools and analyses to be used for humanitarian action.
3. Supporting the UN Central Emergency Response Fund in the development of anticipatory action frameworks.
4. Providing technical support to OCHA Country Offices for risk analysis and other technical tasks in support of the humanitarian response plans.
5. Contributing to development of the Centre’s work aimed at ensuring data analytics are used responsibly in the sector.

Additional Considerations**

• Even though the duty is indicated as Bangkok, Thailand, consideration will be given to allow the position to be home-based depending on the incumbent's personal situation. For home-based positions, a location-specific fee scale is applied in determining the contractor's fee.
• The candidate will be required to be available during Bangkok business hours for stakeholder collaboration and a few weekly meetings.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.