Data Innovation Specialist (Forecasting)

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 Service Cluster (NYSC) 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 the project activities for UN Global Pulse (UNGP). 

UNGP is an initiative of the Executive Office of Secretary-General (EOSG) founded in 2009. UNGP works in support of the Secretary-General’s priorities, in the advancement of the UN Charter. UNGP serves as a cross-pillar lead and hub for experimentation and digital innovation. UNGP has a globally distributed team in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. The teams work with digital innovation, strategic foresight, real-time data and artificial intelligence to further sustainable development, humanitarian and peace outcomes. Our vision is ‘A world in which responsible and inclusive digital innovation serves to empower people and protect the planet’.  Our mission is to work at the intersection of digital innovation and science to inform, inspire and support the entire UN and those it serves, to anticipate and respond to the challenges of today and tomorrow.  The goals of the UNGP Network are: i) to generate knowledge, capabilities and approaches that support the transformation of the United Nations into a more agile and resilient ‘next-generation’ institution; ii) to create and accelerate the development of globally accessible approaches that help communities and partners anticipate and address emerging global challenges; and iii) to advocate for the global transformation of policies, practices and culture required to maximize the impact of digital innovation, minimize its risk of harm, and ensure pathways to scale and sustainability.

The incumbent of this position will be embedded in the United Nations Operations and Crisis Center (UNOCC).

The United Nations Operations and Crisis Center reports to the Under Secretary-General for Policy, with additional reporting lines to the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) for services supporting the peace and security pillar. UNOCC is an integrated information and crisis hub providing cross-pillar analytics, situational awareness, and support to risk and crisis management. Its products are used to support UN senior-level decision-making. Global Pulse and UNOCC collaborate in various domains in support of this decision-making, including by enhancing leadership situational awareness.

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

UNOPS is hiring for UNGP a Data Innovation Specialist (Forecasting) to work closely together with UNOCC to strengthen anticipatory decision-making and planning processes at various levels within the UN with a focus on data and quantitative approaches - by planning and coordinating Strategic Foresight activities and developing foresight capable data systems. 

This may include: building horizon scanning capacity to monitor emerging issues to guide agenda formulation at the UN executives level; analyzing signals to identify risk tipping points against probable threat scenarios connecting peace and security, humanitarian, development and human rights. To ensure the foresight application is business oriented and impactful, the candidate will perform a baseline assessment of existing analytical processes and frameworks, business needs, data feasibility requirements, data systems, concepts and proposals, working in close collaboration with relevant data teams and other stakeholders.

The incumbent will work under the Innovation Scaling Lead of UNGP and coordinating with UNOCC for day-to-day tasking and execute the following duties:

1. Strategic Development, Research and Analysis

2. Knowledge creation, capacity building and reporting

3. Communication and partnerships

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in computer science, computational social sciences, social sciences, statistics, engineering, economics, monitoring & evaluation or another relevant discipline.

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and an additional two (2) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a higher university degree.

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful
implementation of 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

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging
environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused
professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

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 labour force — a
strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We
continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that
encourage the recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

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

Background Information - Sustainable Development Cluster 

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.

The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies.

The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of 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.