Data Science Analyst - national position

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD) has a mandate to leverage the role of the private sector in development. The ICPSD was established in Istanbul, Türkiye on the basis of the Partnership Framework Agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of Türkiye and the United Nations Development Program in March 2011. The Center is one of the six global thematic centers of UNDP, advocating and facilitating the contribution of the private sector to human development and inclusive growth. 

The ICPSD SDG AI Lab is a joint initiative of UNDP BPPS (Bureau for Policy and Programme Support) team, and it is hosted under UNDP ICPSD. The SDG AI Lab provides research, development, and advisory support through innovative digital solutions in harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for sustainable development. The Lab aims to strengthen the UNDP’s internal and its partners’ capacities for the increasing demand for digital transformation.

UNDP ICPSD’s SDG AI Lab, UN Technology Bank jointly implement the ‘Frontier Tech Leaders’ Program (FTL) for the LDCs (Least Developed Countries) to bridge the digital divide and contribute to the 2030 Agenda of sustainable development. The ‘Frontier Tech Leaders’ Program aims to train the next generation of tech specialists in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to address the challenges facing their communities by developing digital solutions. In this sense, it will inspire youth and provide them with the means for action. With a focus on encouraging young women to pursue education and careers in the field of technology, the Program will contribute to the promotion of gender equality. 

The initiative is planned to be implemented in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), engaging young tech specialists. The first cohort commenced in August 2023. Participants will benefit from the Machine Learning Bootcamp, involvement in local chapter activities, and participation in the Virtual Digital Business Incubation Program, while also becoming integral members of the global tech leader community. This programme enables young talents to collaboratively devise solutions for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and focuses on developing their technical and soft skills, preparing them to emerge as Frontier Tech Leaders.

The Data Science Analyst will be responsible for the Frontier Tech Leaders Programme Training component and support overall programme implementation. Also, the Analyst will contribute to the development of digital solutions for SDGs. 
 

• Develop content for FTL Training Component.
• Prepare and continuously improve FTL trainings curriculum.
• Support country implementation course guides and volunteer trainers.
• Teach and assist students with Machine Learning, Python and other technical sessions.
• Arrange learning sessions and office hours schedule. 
• Cultivate a positive, organized learning atmosphere.

Development and implementation of digital solutions for SDGs:

• Develop ML and DL models applying supervised and unsupervised techniques on structured and unstructured Big Data.
• Build and deploy AI/ML/DL models using the relevant techniques.
• Design and implement data quality procedures to support data quality management activities for data pipelines.
• Research and experiment with customized software using the relevant techniques for the data such as Machine Learning.
• Development and technical review of knowledge products.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building and knowledge sharing. 

• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.
• Promote advocacy on development trends and opportunities to collaborate in coordination with the programme partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Institutional Arrangement

The Data Science Analyst will be working under the guidance of and reporting directly to the UNDP ICPSD Technical Specialist.
 

• Data collection: Being skilled in Data Sorting, Data Cleaning, Survey Administration, Presentation and Reporting including collection of Real-Time Data (e.g. mobile data, satellite data, sensor data).
• Data engineering: Ability in programming languages such as SQL, Python, and R, be adept at finding warehousing solutions, and using ETL (Extract, Transfer, Load) tools, and understanding basic machine learning and algorithms.
• Data analysis: Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making.
• Machine learning: Skilled in computer algorithms that improve automatically through experience and by the use of data.
• Data governance: Knowledge of data science, skills to develop data management tools, organize and maintain databases and operate data visualization technologies.
• Data storytelling and communications: Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion.
• Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed.

Required Skills and Experience

• Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in the fields of data science, data analysis, data engineering, machine learning or other related areas.