User Experience Researcher (Retainer)

The Centre for Humanitarian Data is focused on increasing the use and impact of data in humanitarian response. It is managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and is based in The Hague, the Netherlands. The Centre’s vision is to create a future where everyone involved in a humanitarian emergency has access to the data they need, when and how they need it, to make responsible and informed decisions.

The Centre focuses on four areas: data services, data responsibility, data literacy, and predictive analytics. The data services workstream focuses on the management of the Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX) platform, the development and use of the Humanitarian Exchange Language (HXL) data standard, and support to the International Aid Transparency Initiative. The data responsibility workstream focuses on the development and adoption of data responsibility guidelines and different techniques for the secure management and ethical use of data, both within OCHA and the broader humanitarian system. The data literacy workstream focuses on improving the data skills of technical and non-technical humanitarians through the delivery of training programmes and development of capacity-building material. The predictive analytics workstream focuses on model development, including threshold and trigger design, and quality  assurance of partner models through validation and a peer review process.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Centre requires the support of a User Experience Researcher to ensure that our products and services are responding to current and emerging needs. The researcher will primarily work to further develop the processes and features associated with managing and using the HDX platform. The researcher will also support the material developed by the Centre’s other workstreams, including through survey design, workshop facilitation and end-user consultation.

We are looking for a researcher who is self-motivated and can thrive in a remote, international, multidisciplinary team. The right candidate has a passion for creating products and services that resonate emotionally with people; thinks about human-centered design every day; likes to work on social impact projects; wants to help increase the impact of data in the humanitarian sector; and enjoys connecting with people in person and online. 

The incumbent will be responsible for the following functions:

• Undertake remote and in-person interviews with key stakeholders to understand user needs and technical requirements for the Centre’s products and services. This may include getting feedback on aspects of the HDX platform, data responsibility guidance, or predictive analytics training material, among other things. 
• Undertake foundational and generative user research across the Centre’s workstreams through surveys, focus groups and usability testing to define the needs of current and future users.
• Support continual user testing of the HDX platform; track feedback, bugs, defects and enhancements and share findings for review by the HDX product manager.
• Lead the design and deployment of surveys in collaboration with key HDX data contributors so that they can get feedback on the use of their data; analyze and synthesize survey results, drawing out relevant insights and recommendations for improvement.
• Undertake in-depth research on new HDX features (e.g., data quality grading, geodata services, enhanced notifications); consult priority partners and make recommendations for visual designs and interaction models.
• Analyze user statistics of HDX and other Centre products and offer insights to increase use and impact.
• Support preparation and facilitation of thematic workshops with OCHA staff and partners on aspects of the Centre’s work in locations around the world (e.g., Nairobi, Dakar, Geneva, The Hague).
• Assess the Centre’s website and make recommendations for improvements.
• Represent the Centre at meetings and events; participate in team meetings as required.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in interaction design, behavioral sciences, business, social sciences or other relevant discipline is required. OR

• A first University Degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience in a relevant discipline, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

Required:

• Five years of experience in user experience, design research or interaction design is required.

Desirable: (The following experience are optional. Candidates who do not have them are welcomed to apply)

• Experience leading as researcher/facilitator, both in-person and with remote participants.

• Ability to synthesize research findings and to articulate insights that will inform and inspire design.

• Experience in developing and improving products and services for a variety of organizations, businesses, brands, and systems.

• Experience analyzing user behavior data from Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or other similar systems.

• Knowledge of humanitarian and development ecosystems is a plus.

• Proficiency with design programs.

Language

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required.

• 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.
• 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.

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.


Working with us

We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).


At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.


Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.



Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.