Org. Setting and Reporting

The Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is responsible for leadership, operational support and oversight of the United Nations security management system (UNSMS) globally. As a global leader in security risk management principles, UNDSS enables the safe and effective delivery of United Nations programmes and activities in the most complex and challenging environments, while maximizing precious resources. To this end, the work of the Department is aligned under a clear mission, to enable United Nations system programme activities through trusted security leadership and solutions. The Department has embarked on a series of reforms to reconceptualize security as an enabler of UN programmes within acceptable risk. New strategic initiatives focus on improving the quality of evidence-based planning and foresight scenarios required to strengthen UNDSS response in the field and ensure continued programmatic delivery and support to UN organizations in complex emergencies and deteriorating security situations. An over-encompassing digital transformation program is also being implemented to enhance data-driven decision-making, streamline operations, and foster innovation, ensuring the Department remains agile and responsive to evolving global security challenges.

This position is located in the Information Management Unit of the Division of Partnerships and Specialized Services (DPSS), based in New York. The Information Management Unit (IMU) is established to serve as a strategic entity supporting the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in information and data management, analytics, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). The unit aims to enhance operational efficiency, support, and implement the digital transformation objectives, and help promote the global safety and security of UN personnel. It develops and implements comprehensive information management strategies, leads business intelligence and analytics efforts, and integrates advanced technologies to improve decision-making. The IMU also oversees digital transformation projects, ensures data quality and governance, and provides training and resources on information management and AI, all while facilitating interagency collaboration and enhancing crisis response capabilities. The Data Engineer will support effective data management including building, managing and optimizing data pipelines and architectures to support the production of analytics, in compliance with data governance, protection, privacy and security requirements in DSS HQ thus fostering stability, security, and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Sustained Peace agendas.

This position will report to the Chief of the Information Management Unit (IMU). This is a unique opportunity to join a diverse, dynamic and exciting organization gaining unique and valuable experience where security provides great value. Besides the opportunity to gain new skills and further advance security expertise, this position offers a fulfilling environment that gives you satisfaction by contributing directly or indirectly to peace and security, human rights, and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. For more information on the Department, and how we make an impact on the world in enabling the achievement of SDGs, visit: https://www.un.org/undss/

Within delegated authority, the Data Engineer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Manage individual projects regarding the optimal extraction, transformation, and loading of DSS data from a wide variety of sources into data pipelines and create and maintain security data catalogues.

• Design and develop solutions for data-related technical problems and data infrastructure needs to support the DSS strategic initiatives within the digital transformation program, including, but not limited to UNDSS data platform UNSMIN and related applications and databases.

• Manage the identification, design, and implementation of internal process improvements in DSS: automating manual processes, optimizing data delivery, re-designing architecture for greater scalability.

• Deploy resources to extract data features from complex datasets for data scientists and data analysts including from SRMs and security plans, and other security datasets to inform strategic management decisions at DSS HQ on global personnel management and resource allocation.

• Manage the implementation of changes to data systems to ensure compliance with data governance, protection, privacy, and security requirements.

• Performs other duties as required.

• Professionalism: Knowledge of data analysis life cycle from ingest and wrangling to analysis and visualization to present findings. Knowledge of best practices and IT operations in an always-up, always-available service. Knowledge of Agile Software Development methodologies. Strong analytic skills related to working with unstructured datasets. Ability in managing and communicating data warehouse plans to internal clients. Excellent problem solving and troubleshooting skills. Working knowledge of message queuing, stream processing, and highly scalable ‘big data’ data stores. Process oriented with great documentation skills. Ability to convey complex / difficult data science topics to clients in a relatable manner.

Takes pride in the work for the organization and understands the impact that can be brought into the organization by allowing data-driven and evidence-based decisions. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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. Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; places confidence in and builds trust with colleagues, staff members and stakeholders.

• 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.

• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, statistics, applied mathematics, data management, information systems, information science or a related quantitative field. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in data management, integration, modeling, optimization and other relevant areas is required. Experience supporting cross-functional teams and collaborating with stakeholders in support of analytics initiatives is required. Experience in programming languages such as Python, R, and C# is required. Experience with database programming languages (SQL, etc.) is required.

Experience in designing data integration and pipeline architectures which must include ingesting data through different methods such as message queues, database connections, flat files, REST, or specific API’s, is required. Experience in DevOps tool chains consisting of tools like Git, Jenkins, Bamboo, .NET (C#), or equivalent tools, and experience with the deployment of data pipelines is required. Experience with and understanding of various Microsoft technologies and platforms, including Azure Data Factory, Synapse Analytics, Azure SQL Database and Managed Instance, Azure Data Lake Storage is required. Experience in delivering big data use cases is desirable, including projects using technology such as Apache Spark, Hadoop or others. Experience in Artificial Intelligence, particularly Machine Learning techniques for data mining and extraction of large amounts of data is desirable. Experience working with self-service analytics applications like Microsoft PowerBI, Tableau, Qlik and others for data discovery is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations 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.

• Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

• For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 August 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

• 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. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is taking efforts to improve gender parity, including full implementation of the UN-wide, and Departmental Gender Strategies. We are committed to providing an inclusive culture and exciting opportunities for women in the security and operations field.

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

• Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected. 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.

• Those candidates who apply and are subsequently recommended and endorsed for the job opening, but are not selected for the current vacant position, will be placed on the roster for similar functions at the level and category of the job opening for possible future selection. Roster membership does not guarantee selection.

• 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.

• The selection process for this job opening will be conducted pursuant to ST/AI/2010/3 on the “Staff Selection System” and include the compliance review process by a review body described in staff rule 4.15. The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuance governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English.

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.