Evaluation Specialist (Data Science), P-3, # 129388, Temporary Appointment, 364 days, Evaluation Office, NYHQ

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Evaluate

The mission of the UNICEF evaluation function is to help drive results for children by fostering evidence- informed decision-making. Evaluation in UNICEF supports both learning and decision-making, which in turn support better results for children. The evaluation function conducts a diverse set of independent, credible, and impartial corporate thematic, institutional effectiveness, humanitarian, country-led, impact and joint evaluations to ensure UNICEF uses evaluation evidence to improve outcomes for children.

Evaluation at UNICEF is a largely decentralized function with senior-level regional evaluation advisers and multi-country evaluation specialists based in the seven UNICEF regional offices, as well as dedicated country evaluation specialists and evaluation focal points in the UNICEF country offices around the world. The UNICEF Evaluation Office serves as the steward of the UNICEF evaluation function and is located at the New York headquarters. The director of evaluation provides strategic leadership to the global evaluation function at all three levels of the organization.

In the recent years the Evaluation Office (EO) has accelerated its efforts to strengthen the rigor of evaluative evidence and cost-efficiency of its processes. It aims to diversify methods and boost the technical capacity of its staff. Data and AI plays a key role in this forward-looking agenda. Effective use of various types of data and advancement of data science applications in UNICEF evaluations not only can help to plan, track and report results for children more cost-efficiently, but also shape those results with better insights about what is working, what is not, which children are thriving, and which are being left behind.

To this end, the EO is seeking an evaluation specialist (data science) to work on AI and machine learning applications in evaluation. The Evaluation Office values highly motivated candidates who strive to excel and stay abreast of the latest evaluative knowledge and methodological innovations.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the supervision of the senior evaluation specialist (head of impact evaluation and methods) the Evaluation specialist (data science) will provide support to organizational efforts in better utilization of AI/machine learning applications in evaluations to improve cost-efficiency of evaluation process and methods. Working collaboratively with the evaluation team in Evaluation office (NYHQ), the incumbent will support evidence generation and use in planned and ongoing global evaluations and impact evaluations, lead replication of tested and effective AI approaches across regions and country office teams.

In accordance with the UNICEF mission, guiding principles, standards, commitments, and accountability framework, and under the revised United Nations Evaluation Group norms and standards, the evaluation specialist (data science) will ensure that all products and applications conducted under her/his technical support and supervision are of the highest possible technical quality, relevance, timeliness, credibility, and utility.

Key functional responsibilities:

 1. AI/Machine learning powered project development.

• Lead the experimentation, development and replication of AI/machine learning applications for a wide-range of evaluation purposes. Leverage these means for supporting and enhancing cost-effectiveness, rigorour, and credibility of UNICEF evaluations particularly those conducted in complex environments.
• Identify through consultation with global thematic evaluation teams, evaluation and academic partners other opportunities to create AI platforms with application of big data methods and emerging AI functionalities including but not limited to data mining, predictive analytics, deep machine learning for evaluative purposes such as scoping, evidence synthesis, counterfactual analysis among others.
• Use of Natural Language Processing (NLP) to analyze textual data from the Evaluation Information System Integration (EISI) database – internal database of UNICEF evaluation reports.
• Supervise and mentor consultants and EO interns in all aspects of data science and testing machine learning approaches. Collaborate with the regional and country office teams in joint data/innovation initiatives and pilots.

2. Data Analytics.

• Contribute to a wide range of advanced data analysis for complex rigorous evaluations and collaborate with global evaluation teams to scope, assess and identify relevant data sets to be used for evaluations.  
• Advise and guide the EO evaluation staff on using multifaced analytical approaches, including traditional statistical models, machine learning, etc., for the analysis and interpretation of data from different data sources, including surveys, big data, secondary data, etc.
• Lead data innovation in quantitative analysis protocols, including data gathering tools and methodologies collaborating with EO staff across thematic areas and topics.   
• Initiate and coordinate pilot studies and applications for using real-time data sources such as mobile technology as well as online media, social networks, remote imagery, geospatial data, administrative and institutional databases. 
• Contribute to data management, overseeing medium to large structured and unstructured datasets while maintaining data quality, security, and compliance.

3. Data Visualization and Learning

• Lead and promote creative data visualization on digital and non-digital platforms in a variety of formats.
• Produce concise and high-quality methodological briefs, guidance and learning materials related to AI applications and other technical materials.

4. Capacity development and partnership.

• Support the development and roll-out of capacity-building activities that raise awareness and promote the use of AI/machine learning and rigorous data analytics in UNICEF evaluation.
• Initiate and leverage internal and external partnerships, including with other UNICEF divisions, multilateral and bilateral organizations, other United Nations agencies and academic institutions to advance an effective use of AI/machine learning application across all levels of the UNICEF evaluation function.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: 

• An advanced university degree (master or PhD) in sciences (e.g., mathematics, statistics, data science, economics, public policy, or a related field).

Work Experience:

• At least five years of experience in data science, data analysis and innovation preferably in development field and in areas relevant for UNICEF mandate (e.g. health, nutrition, education, child protection, water and sanitation and social protection).
• Proven record of applying AI/Machine learning in research and evaluation, preferably for development agencies.
• Experience using statistical computer languages to manipulate data and draw insights from large data sets (Scala/R/Python), Stata, SPSS and Databricks. Experience with data visualization libraries such as Matplotlib, Pyplot, or PowerBI is considered an asset.
• Ability to work cross functionally to define problem statements, examine collected data, build analytical models, and communicate final recommendations that drive decision making.
• Demonstrated ability to keep up to date with the latest skills and advancements in AI field finding creative ways to apply these advancements to research and evaluation.
• Proven record to work with internal and external stakeholders at multiple levels, including providing technical support and capacity building and establishing/managing external partnerships.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English; knowledge of another United Nations language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per 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.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.