ICT Intern (Data Science)

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. The 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 the 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, UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), and the Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio.  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.  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 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. Our support is provided to OCHA staff and partners, with a priority focus on locations with humanitarian operations. 

The Centre has four workstreams: data services, data science, data responsibility, and learning and practice. Data Science in Humanitarian Action is focused on the use of advanced analytics to support humanitarian responses. The Centre’s data science work helps humanitarians anticipate and respond to needs arising from various shocks by providing insights through climate and epidemic modelling, risk assessment, and crisis evolution analysis. It also aims to bridge the gap between complex scientific models and humanitarian action, making technical insights accessible and actionable in the field.

Over recent years, the Centre has led the development of several analytical frameworks and models, most notably the OCHA Anticipatory Action Triggers, which are used to release pre-arranged funding for proactive response. These triggers, established in 2019 and refined annually, operate within anticipatory action frameworks that enable humanitarian actors to act before shocks like floods or droughts occur. The Centre has also contributed to creating guidance documents to aid humanitarians in understanding and applying models related to weather, climate, and epidemic trends.

The Centre offers a range of support services to encourage the adoption of data science methodologies, including training, missions, and model adaptation to fit specific country contexts. It works closely with OCHA teams to integrate predictive analysis into cross-cutting areas such as anticipatory action, transparency in data analytics and risk-informed decision-making.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment 

UNOPS is seeking to recruit a Data Science intern to support the Data Science team in advancing HDX Signals, a product released by the Centre in June 2024. The right candidate has the technical skills and abilities to provide support on developing the code and the analysis pipelines to consolidate and expand the offering in Signals. 

The intern 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.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties but not limited to:

• Review and contribute to the HDX Signals codebase, including development and maintenance of data pipelines and analysis routines.
• Engage with data providers to increase the number of datasets included in HDX Signals.
• Support internal and external communications to raise awareness and share outcomes on the work of the data science team.

• The selected candidate will be exposed to a very dynamic area in the humanitarian space, where she/he will have an opportunity to learn about humanitarian data, coordination, stakeholder management and reporting. Data Science is at the forefront of evidence-based operational decision making, which is particularly suited for young graduates in computer science or data science. 

Education 

• Applicants should be enrolled in a university programme such as Bachelors, Masters or Ph.D. (or the equivalent or graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the application date of the internship.
• Area of study should preferably relate to Computer Science, Data Science or related fields.

Work Experience 

• Applicants are not required to have professional work experience.
• Coding skills in R with academic or applied experience is an added advantage.
• Familiarity with collaborative code development is desirable (Git).
• Experience in data analysis or data science is desirable.

Language

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required.
• Knowledge of any of the other UN official languages is an advantage.

• 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.