User Experience Research Consultant

The Centre is launching a Data Fellows programme and will host the first class of Fellows in The Hague in June and July 2018. Through this programme, Fellows will come together to design and deliver targeted projects that contribute to overall goals of the Centre. The 2018 Fellows will focus on four areas where the Centre is seeking new perspectives, insights and partnerships including Data Science, Predictive Analytics, User Research, and Data Storytelling. The Fellowship program will be residential, with Fellows living and working in The Hague under the direction of the Data Fellows Programme Coordinator. https://centre.humdata.org/data-fellows

User Experience Research

One domain of increasing interest across the Centre’s four areas is user experience research. Effective user experience research helps ensure that products and services are responding to clear needs from within the Centre’s global network.

To explore and initiate new applications of user experience research in the humanitarian data ecosystem, the Centre requires a User Experience Research Consultant. The Consultant will work to further develop the user experience strategies and related requirements for select initiatives within the Centre’s portfolio and in relation to the Centre’s Data Fellows Programme. He or she will also facilitate workshops related to the Centre’s work areas and ensure that the outcomes are summarized in accessible products with clear next steps and timelines. 

We are looking for a candidate who is self-motivated and can thrive in a remote, international, multidisciplinary team. The right candidate has a passion for creating products and models 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

Reporting Relationships
The User Experience Research Consultantwill report to the Coordinator for the Data Fellows Programme under the overall direction of the Lead for the Centre for Humanitarian Data. She or he will be expected to work closely with the rest of the Centre team.

Accountabilities

• Conduct desk and user research to form a clear problem statement that will form the basis of a project that advances the goals of the Centre.
• Design and execute a project related to user experience research based on the problem statement including the development of at least one product or service prototype.
• Design and deliver two sessions (in person or online) for the Centre community on an aspect of data science.
•  Participate in a joint project with other consultants that advances the goals of the Centre and supports the work of humanitarian partners.
•  Communicate publicly about the project focus and key outcomes (in the form of a blog and potentially other related channels).
• Produce a final report outlining the key insights from the projects and, as relevant, providing recommendations for further work in the area of focus.
•  In liaison with relevant Centre staff, support ongoing data activities to develop an understanding of HDX, HXL and related processes and tools.
•  Utilize available project management and office communication tools to effectively track and deliver expected outputs.

•  A briefing note on the initial desk and user research including a concrete problem statement that will form the basis of a project that advances the goals of the Centre.
• A 2-3 page briefing note on the projects potential relevance to the work of the Centre or a humanitarian partner.
• At least one working prototype of a product or service based on the demands discovered in the user research.
• A 2-3 page briefing note on outcomes of user feedback and testing exercises, yielding a SWOT analysis of the prototype model(s) and recommendations for further development by the Centre and its partners.
• Detailed technical documentation (method, requirements, development roadmap) for the prototype model(s).
• At least one blog post on the outcome of the project.
• A final report outlining the key achievements of the project and, as relevant, providing recommendations for further work in the area of focus.

• An undergraduate degree in interaction design, behavioral sciences, business, social sciences or other relevant discipline is required. 
• Master’s degree with 2 years of experience or Bachelor’s degree with five years of experience is required.

Four years (depending on Degree qualification) of progressively responsible experience in the following areas:

•  User experience, design research or interaction design required.
•  Leading as researcher/moderator, both in-person and with remote participants.
•  Synthesizing research findings and to articulate insights that will inform and inspire design.
•  Developing new products and entities for a variety of organizations, businesses, brands, and systems.
•  Knowledge of humanitarian and development ecosystems is a plus.
•  Proficiency with design programs of your choice.

• Fluency in English is required (both oral and written). Knowledge of another language is an advantage.  

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.  

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.