UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Hope.

UNICEF Somalia | UNICEF Somalia

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the post

The Data and Analytics Specialist reports to the Chief of Planning Monitoring & Evaluation for supervision. The PM&E team needs to be able to dynamically ensure that required and robust data, statistics, and information are readily available for effective programme management to teams and partners and that data is well packaged for effective communication. This involves ensuring that Government and civil society partners, the media, UNICEF staff as well as donor partners can easily and efficiently find and access this information, for any requisite purpose. The Specialist will support the Office to ensure that data-driven insights that allow managers and stakeholders to make more informed and targeted decisions and advocacy are readily available. The Specialist will consider their work in a larger UNICEF development and humanitarian context, within the Office and in consideration of various external factors, help interpret data from different sources and turn it into useful and well-triangulated information which can offer ways to improve program focus and decisions. The Specialist will also underscore patterns and trends, and periodically generate reports based on demand as well as in a structured manner.

Summary of key duties and responsibilities

1. UNICEF Somalia Data Strategy development and operationalization

• Develop and implement a comprehensive data strategy aligned with the specific needs of UNICEF Somalia.
• Conduct a thorough assessment of data requirements and identify relevant data sources.
• Establish data collection protocols, including methodologies, tools, and procedures.
• Ensure data is systematically collected, organized, and stored in a secure and accessible manner.
• Establish a centralized data repository and implement data governance and quality control measures.

2. Data Collection and Analysis Capacity Building

• Ensure that the data collection and analysis capacities of Country Office staff and national partners – government and civil society – are strengthened enabling them to increasingly engage in and lead in survey and analysis of data for programming.
• Provide training and guidance on data collection methodologies, data quality assurance, and analysis techniques.
• Develop training materials and organize workshops and seminars to enhance staff and partner capacity.
• Collaborate with external organizations to leverage their expertise and resources for improved data collection and analysis.
• Strengthen the skills and knowledge of staff and partners to ensure reliable and actionable data for decision-making.

3. Data and Analysis for Situation Monitoring and Assessment

• Ensure that the Country Office and national partners have timely, accurate and gender-specific measurement of change in conditions in the country or region, including monitoring of socio-economic trends and the country’s wider policy, economic or institutional context, to facilitate planning and to draw conclusions about the impact of programmes or policies.
• Work closely with stakeholders to identify key indicators and design data collection tools and methodologies.
• Support the collection of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and other social development indicators.
• Develop and implement a monitoring mechanism to track and report on statistical data related to children and women in Somalia.
• Ensure timely and accurate measurement of conditions to support situation monitoring and assessment efforts.

4. Data visualization and dissemination

• Analyze data sets using statistical tools and techniques to identify trends and patterns.
• Transform data into visual representations such as charts, graphs, and maps.
• Create reports, visualizations, and outreach materials to effectively communicate data insights.
• Prepare periodic reports for program managers and stakeholders.
• Develop interactive data visualizations, including dashboards, to facilitate understanding and decision-making.

5. Networking and partnership building

• Establish and maintain relationships with government counterparts, UN agencies, civil society organizations, academia, and professional associations.
• Actively participate in networking activities, meetings, and events to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange.
• Collaborate with partners to share information, knowledge, and data.
• Facilitate data-sharing partnerships to expand data sources and enhance data analysis capabilities.

6. Innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building

• Share lessons learned from data analysis and research.
• Identify and promote best practices in data analytics.
• Conduct research on emerging trends and methodologies in data analytics.
• Contribute to knowledge management initiatives within UNICEF Somalia.
• Participate in capacity-building activities to enhance data analysis skills and promote evidence-based decision-making.

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

• Education:
  • Advanced university degree in computer science, data science, analytics, statistics, information management, or relevant field.
    *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

  Experience:

  • Possess Five (5) practical analytical work experience in data and statistics including in humanitarian settings.
  • Exposure to emergency programming, including preparedness planning will be an asset.
  • Active involvement in a humanitarian crisis response programme will be an asset.

  Language Requirements

  • Fluent in English is required.
  • Knowledge of other official UN languages or local languages relevant to the Somalia context is considered 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

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.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

All selected candidates will 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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF only considers Higher education qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net.