The Position:

The Data Ingestion Consultant is expected to ensure that the geospatial and georeferenced population census and survey data requirements for the Population Data Platform (PDP) are met, and that the selected data is properly reviewed for quality and then uploaded into the agreed PDP data structures.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. 

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.  UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Data Ingestion Consultant will contribute to the development and update of various geospatial data dashboards relevant to UNFPA’s work as components to be integrated into the PDP. Her/his work will be guided primarily by the data strategy developed in UNFPA PDP, and S/he will also contribute to the improvement and evolution of that data strategy based on lessons learned during the work.  S/he also ensures that UNFPA staff testing the dashboards and the platform, as well as the dashboards or platform users (once launched) are supported in the effective use of the available data on the platform.

The incumbent is expected to support the PDB team and other UNFPA staff in conducting data analysis and the production of related analytical products, with a focus on executing such analysis interactively on the PDP as well when possible and enabled.  H/she will also support relevant geospatial data management, dissemination and continued dashboard development during the pandemic-related support provided by UNFPA.  The Data Ingestion Consultant will report to the Chief, PDB and work under the guidance of the Lead, GRID3 Secretariat as well as that of the PDP Lead once that position is filled.

You would be responsible for:

The Data Ingestion Consultant shall have the following responsibilities:

• At the direction of the Chief, PDB, and in accordance with the PDP (geospatial) data strategy as drafted, continue to plan and manage the geospatial data identification, review and ingestion into the PDP database;
• Coordinate with external data providers to ensure consistency of data attributes over time and between countries;
• Develop and report on a repeatable data ingestion and QA/QC workflow for large amounts of population and survey data;
• Ensure mapping of data attributes and other data elements to geospatial coordinates or sub-national administrative units as possible, and support other PDP data geocoding when feasible;
• Monitor PDP developments in coordination with the developer team and Esri and the online availability of and access to the geospatial and georeferenced data once uploaded;
• Monitor data processing or other failures or performance issues of the geospatial components and assist in their remediation;
• Build and maintain various data dissemination dashboards as components of the PDP in coordination with UNFPA business units and their needs, as well as with Esri and other contracted developers;
• Support the PDB staff in the broader demographic and geospatial data management and processing efforts as needed;
• Provide other operational support to the quantitative and other data managers;
• Assist UNFPA staff and the broader PDP community of practice as applicable in testing and using the data (particularly geospatial data) on the Platform;
• Perform data analysis tests or tasks, design and/or develop related apps for publication on the PDP, and provide other support to internal and external UNFPA customers in helping produce the organization’s analytic products through the PDP;
• Develop and prototype other geospatial portals and dashboards using Esri software and available templates for broader population data dissemination and in particular for the COVID-19 response.

Required Qualificaitns and Experience: 

• Master degree level in geospatial data management, data or population science, statistics, information management or a related discipline;
• At least 10 years’ experience in geospatial- or relevant IT-related project implementation, including:
  • Geospatial data management or manipulation
  • Data visualization;
  • Development and utilization of GIS services;
  • Information modeling
  • Statistical analysis
  • GIS implementation
  • Familiarity with PostgreSQL, GeoServer, Esri ArcGIS Enterprise or similar geospatial data server technology.

• Experience collecting or working with household or other survey data; 
• Experience with command-line statistical packages such as SAS, Python or R and with other scripting tools (e.g. JavaScript);
• Experience in a teaching or support-based GIS role;
• Fluency in English, working knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French or Spanish, is desirable.

Required Competencies

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity;
• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Achieving resultsBeing accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

• Generating, managing and promoting the use of knowledge and information;
• Planning, organizing and multitasking;
• External and internal relations and advocacy for strategic planning and resource mobilization;
• Advocacy/advancing a policy oriented agenda;
• Providing conceptual innovation to support programme effectiveness.

Compensation and Benefits

This position offers attractive remuneration package.  Note that the consultant will work remotely.

Note to applicant:

UNFPA is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.  All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm

 How to Apply

Please send a motivational cover letter and CV/Resume to sacco@unfpa.org with "Consultant: Population Data Platform (PDP) Geospatial Data Review and Ingestion" in the subject by 11 January 2021.  Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.