Organization: UNHABITAT – United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Location: Nairobi
Grade: Mid level – P-3, International Professional – Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
Statistics
Scientist and Researcher
Closing Date: 2024-09-12
Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. The position is in the Data and Analytics Section of the Knowledge & Innovation Branch of UN-Habitat in the External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation Division of UN-Habitat (ERSKI). ERSKI is responsible for strategic planning, programmatic direction and operationalization of UN-Habitat’s focal point role for the New Urban Agenda, and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the UN system and for coordination of Emergency Programmes. The Knowledge and Innovation Branch is responsible to lead the development of policies and procedures on results-based management and coordinates the preparation of the strategic plan, programme and budget plans and monitors and reports on global agendas and policy implementation; it leads and facilitates an enabling environment for use and deployment of innovation and data. The Data and Analytics Section is responsible to lead and coordinate the data pillar for the development and monitoring of a United Nations system-wide strategy on urbanization; leading mainstreaming of data and monitoring support to countries and cities to develop the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), Voluntary Local Reviews (VLR) in line with the NUA and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; coordinate UN-Habitat’s participation and representation in UN Statistical Commission, Interagency Expert Group on SDGs Indicators (IAEG-SDGs), UN geospatial network-UNGGIM, Regional SDGs review forums and other global and regional Inter-agency Expert standing committees on statistics and data related issues. The position reports to the Chief of Section/Statistician in the Data and Analytics Section. The Incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
Responsibilities
• Organizes, designs, plans and carries out the collection, evaluation, analysis, compilation and dissemination of statistical data by selecting methods of data collection, selecting and implementing methods for checking collected data, and selecting and implementing appropriate methods for data processing for incorporation into databases. • Support the collection, processing, evaluation and dissemination of various forms of data from Member states, UN-Habitat branches and regional or field offices, civil society, NGOs and partner databases including those from other UN agencies, UN Statistical Division, UN population Division, etc. • Participates in the development, implementation and management of statistical database(s). Compile a database comprising of SDG 11 and other Human Settlement Indicators at the city level using different data sources such as national censuses; Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS); Multiple Indicators Cluster Surveys (MICS); Urban Inequities Surveys (UIS); various national household surveys; and other administrative sources. • Contribute to the data analysis and updates of the Urban Indicators Database including follow up with National Statistical systems on urban SDGs and City Prosperity Index (CPI) related data and reporting mechanisms. • Contribute to piloting data gathering using tools developed by DAU as part of monitoring and reporting of the NUA • Provides training and technical support on data collection programmes, country practices and other related information. • Participates in the development or revision of standards on statistical concepts, definitions and classifications by performing methodological research. • Prepares draft technical documents for international, intergovernmental and expert group meetings and assists in drafting relevant reports. • Organizes and participates in seminars, working groups and expert meetings as a technical resource person. • Guides trains and supervises general service staff. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies
• Professionalism: Knowledge of statistical principles and practices. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis. Ability to identify issues, formulate options and make conclusions and recommendations. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, mathematics, economics, sociology, GIS or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination of statistical data or related area is required. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the official languages of the Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. Note: Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and “knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas. .
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This position is open for recruitment for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/ Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. When completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.