DOTS Service Manager, CST II
Rome
- Organization: WFP - World Food Programme
- Location: Rome
- Grade:
-
Occupational Groups:
- Managerial positions
- Closing Date: 2026-01-05
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
5 January 2026-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome)WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.
ABOUT WFP
The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.
To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.
WHY JOIN WFP?
WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. The Technology Division (TEC) of the World Food Programme (WFP) is leading the enterprise-wide deployment of a data and analytics platform called DOTS which is powered by the Palantir Foundry solution. DOTS is at the center of TEC’s data ecosystem integrating data from multiple data sources, transforming data to create a dynamic ontology, and providing business insights to support decision-making.
The DOTS Product Manager is accountable and responsible for the day-to-day operations of the DOTS Platform ensuring Engineering Services, Platform Governance Services and Data Services teams are proactively delivering value and providing access to trusted data and information for end-users across WFP. The incumbent is also expected to cultivate key stakeholder relationships to communicate the key outcomes and performance benefits that can be facilitated by a modern data platform. Finally, the DOTS Product Manager must build relationships within TEC to create the handshakes necessary for delivering as one TEC team.
The DOTS Service Manager applies data expertise, product and budget management, agile methods, team coaching, and stakeholder management, and is adept at both technical discussions with engineers and delivering DOTS presentations to business stakeholders. Reporting to the Chief Data Officer in the TEC Division, this role will help build and maintain a team culture which relishes curiosity, learning, trust, and a devotion to provision of quality services.
ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead the development of the DOTS service roadmap and ensure alignment of activities and deliverables towards operational goals.
Establish relationships with key business stakeholders to ensure DOTS product roadmap and activities supports business needs.
Enable partnership collaboration with the Palantir focal point to develop a plan for activities with the Palantir Engineering team which will strengthen the DOTS platform roadmap and provide technical advisory support for projects.
Ensure cost efficiency and ROI calculations are provided for each project which utilizes the DOTS platform and provide annual data on overall cost efficiencies achieved by the DOTS product.
Create seamless alignment with other TECX teams to ensure adoption of data architecture, data analysis and data engineering best practices.
Collaborate with the Regional TEC teams to ensure field needs are also supported by the DOTS platform and project activities
Manage the review and prioritization of projects that require use of the DOTS platform
Establish annual workplans for the DOTS team including specific breakouts for DOTS Platform Governance, Technical Team, Maintenance Team and Training. Conduct regular reviews to ensure achievement of goals.
Provide subject matter expertise and advice to data teams across WFP on data modelling, data integration, and advanced data analytics.
Understand the data domains, metadata definitions, outputs of data mapping activities to ensure better data quality and alignment of data lifecycles
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
Create and implement a DOTS Service Roadmap with key initiatives. For each key initiative, create a project plan for delivery and allocate team members and track progress.
Establish a Service Catalogue and End-user support for the DOTS product.
Lead the development of the team annual workplan and empower DOTS team members to achieve workplan goals through coaching and mentoring.
Adopt and implement standard data engineering, data modelling, data security and data science practices and processes.
Improve product quality by aligning with data architecture, and implementation of platform improvements aimed at end-users
Establish portfolio and project management methodology to ensure project scope, timelines, budget, and prioritization are realized.
Ensure implementation teams are fully utilizing SCRUM methodology and Azure DevOps to track and deliver Minimum Viable Products for projects.
Define and analyse metrics that inform the success of the DOTS product. Identify and track key performance metrics.
Manage the Maintenance Team (LTA vendors) and ensure tickets are closed in a timely manner.
Build DOTS community through training, communication, and advocacy events.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
University degree in data science or computer science/engineering or data analytics/management.
Experience:
5+ years of hands-on data modelling or analytics experience.
In combination with:
2+ years of product management experience (analytical products or software products).
1+ year direct experience working on a project with data science, AI/ML deliverables.
1 + year experience working on projects delivering data visualizations (Tableau, MS BI, Looker etc.)
Highly Desirable: Experience working with Palantir Foundry.
Desirable: Experience working in WFP RB or CO offices and understanding of WFP data domains.
Knowledge & Skills:
Proficiency in SQL, languages such as Python and PySpark and or Scala
Proven experience working on cloud analytics platforms (e.g. Foundry, Databricks, Snowflake, Azure, AWS, Google etc.)
Knowledge of data governance principles and data lifecycle management.
Established knowledge: product development, requirements and risk analysis, user story writing, pricing, planning, financial planning and strategy.
Experience working with data analysis, or otherwise proven record of high technical aptitude and ability to work in highly technical and analytical environments.
Rich experience and proven skills in working towards a common goal in a team consisting of diverse experiences, and cultural backgrounds, with heavy emphasis towards business and non-technical team members and stakeholders outside the team.
High problem-solving skills and willingness to develop any technical skills needed, if any.
Proven ability to analyse business processes, uncovering, shaping, and documenting business needs and requirements that are aligned with business strategies.
Proven communication skills.
Languages:
Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or WFP’s working language, Portuguese.
WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK
WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.
Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: global.inclusion@wfp.org
NO FEE DISCLAIMER
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs or spontaneous applications by email.
If you experience challenges while submitting your online application, please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org for technical support only.
Please note that applications sent to this email address cannot be considered.
We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified
All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.