Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The UNDP Ethiopia Country Office is establishing a Development Innovation Hub as a flagship initiative to accelerate digital transformation, institutionalize innovation, and promote data-driven and evidence-based analytics towards strong thought leadership. The Development Innovation Hub  will drive digital projects, foster cross-functional collaboration, and build institutional capacity to ensure measurable and sustainable development impact across all programme pillars.

The Hub is designed as a strategic driver for the Ethiopia Country Office, embedding digital transformation, innovation, and data-driven analytics at the center of its operations. Its primary focus is to advance the UNDP Strategic Plan 2026–2030 as well as the country program document (2026-2030) by accelerating technology adoption, strengthening evidence-based programming, and fostering cross-functional collaboration across program pillars. The Hub aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and monitoring by leveraging advanced analytics and digital platforms, while also building institutional capacity and promoting digital literacy. By engaging new partners and mobilizing diverse resources, the Hub seeks to ensure the Country Office remains agile, innovative, and well-positioned to deliver impact.

Building on the rich experience accumulated over the past six years while operating as accelerator lab, the hub will continue to play key roles in advancing the Country Office’s mission in testing, experimenting and adopting solutions relevant to accelerating development and solving complex problems. It will continue to play a catalytic role in advancing nationwide ecosystem development for innovation, technology transformation including AI and data driven development planning, monitoring and evaluation. 

The hub and in particular the position holder is expected to generate data and actionable evidence to catalyze and measure performance. The position is expected to 1) capture new data to enhance program impact; 2) identify new data source to guide decision making and shape solutions and 3) develop data products for informed thought leadership and 4) advocate for geographic referencing of interventions. 

Position Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the DRR – Programme and in close collaboration with DPRH (Development Policy and Research Hub) as well as other thematic portfolio leads and Hubs, the Data Analytics & Visualization Analyst will drive data-driven insights and evidence generation to inform policy, programming, knowledge capture and reporting as well as data innovation across UNDP Ethiopia’s portfolio and by working in collaboration with the DPRH. The incumbent will harness multidimensional data (socioeconomic, environmental, spatial, governance, behavioral, etc.) to strengthen UNDP’s capacity for integrated programming, portfolio learning, and adaptive management. The incumbent along with other team members of the hub and in collaboration with program units will promote open data ecosystems, collaborative development insights, analytics, and partnerships to position UNDP as a thought-leader in using data, analytics and evidence for development impact. In addition, the Analyst will establish robust mechanisms for measuring and tracking data usage, analysis and visualization in the CPD (Country Programme Document) and ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and results frameworks. They will enhance the use of data for decision-making by developing actionable analytics, dashboards, and knowledge products that enable timely, evidence-based choices across programming and policy interventions.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Data Systems and Evidence for Programming:

  • Harness and integrate multidisciplinary datasets (socioeconomic, environmental, spatial, governance, and behavioral) to inform programme planning, design, implementation, and evaluation.
  • Build the capacity of internal teams and government partners in data-driven project management, enabling evidence-based planning, monitoring, reporting and adaptive decision-making.
  • Contribute to the development of impact measurement systems in the CPD and thematic and project or program specific data dashboards that enhance evidence-based decision-making in collaboration with respective programs, the PDRM and DPRH Hub.
  • Apply advanced analytical methods (data modelling, and spatial analysis) to generate actionable insights for addressing key development challenges, including job creation, climate resilience, and socioeconomic inclusion.
  • Embed resilience- and impact-oriented data analytics across projects and portfolio management, ensuring interventions are systematically linked to measurable development results.
  • Promote data use for strategic decision-making by developing user-friendly analytics tools, dashboards, and knowledge products that translate complex data into practical insights for policy formulation and program adjustments.
  • Strengthen data governance and interoperability to ensure quality, accessibility, and ethical use of data across UNDP and partner systems.
  • Design and oversee data-driven internal consultancy support, including quality assurance, data integrity, and accountability mechanisms that strengthen programme evidence for resource mobilization and decision-making. 

Development solutions mapping and Experimentation:

  • Produce thought leadership, analytical products, and contribute to Progress Report, translating data into insights that inform policy dialogue, organizational learning, and external engagement.
  • Lead data-informed innovation challenges and solution labs that apply evidence, systems mapping, and rapid experimentation to co-create and validate solutions for resilient livelihoods, peace building and conflict transformation, local innovation, and climate–socioeconomic adaptations
  • Lead climate risk resilience and vulnerability analysis across climate-risk-prone geographies (drought, flood, landslide, urban heat, and related socioeconomic risks) to analyze and map vulnerabilities, inform adaptation strategies, and support solution design and scaling.
  • Employ human-centered design, user research, and systems thinking approaches to translate insights into implementable prototypes and policy recommendations.
  • Facilitate cross-sectoral collaboration with academia, research institutions, civil society, and private sector partners to leverage national data innovation capacity.

Data Partnerships and Open Data Ecosystem:

  • Lead data partnerships with government agencies, UN agencies, academia, private sector, and development partners to improve data access, quality, and exchange
  • Strengthen data capacity across partners through tools, guidance, and applied learning, enabling consistent data capture, analysis, and evidence use across programs.
  • Support the partnerships with initiatives around municipalities, universities, and the private sector to support smart city initiatives such as decarbonized buildings, climate-smart mobility, and nature-based solutions by integrating urban, environmental, and infrastructure data for evidence-based planning
  • Strengthen the UNDP’s use of open data ecosystems, citizen-generated data, and integration of remotely sensed data for programmatic insights, analytics and visualization.
  • Contribute to regional and global UNDP initiatives on data innovation, providing technical backstopping and knowledge exchange across country and regional offices.

Knowledge Management, M&E and Learning:

  • Design and operationalize systems for data-driven knowledge capture, synthesis, visualization and dissemination of lessons and results from programme implementation.
  • Support portfolio, M&E and learning cycles through evidence generation, foresight methods, and analytical reporting that inform strategic decisions and adaptive management.
  • Support programmes to produce high-quality analytical briefs (policy, issues, working papers), and data visualizations to communicate UNDP’s insights effectively to internal and external audiences.

Strategic Integration and Advisory Support:

  • Provide data-informed analysis and advisory inputs for portfolio integration, ensuring alignment of thematic areas (e.g., livelihoods, governance, environment, digitalization).
  • Support UNDP leadership in aligning country-level analytics with regional and global UNDP frameworks, including SDG Integration, Data Futures Platform, and the Global Policy Network.
  • Strengthen interagency coordination and cross-portfolio collaboration by using evidence, data insights, and systems mapping to identify synergies, reduce duplication, and align programmes and partners around shared outcomes.

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: N/A

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results - LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively - LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
Learn Continuously - LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
Act with Determination - LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner - LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Business Development - Knowledge Generation :  Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge 
Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. 
Business management - Working with Evidence and Data :  Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making 
Data - Data Analysis : Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making 
Digital - 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). 
Digital    Visualization & mapping : Ability to visualize and clarify ideas, processes or (complex) situations by making quick sketches, drawings or using diagrams, illustrations, photos, videos, animations, to support group dialogues, reflection, ideation, problem solving or decision making. Using abstraction, analogical and metaphorical thinking to create compelling visuals, maps, models or embodied thinking that provide new perspectives and help a group of disparate actors to find a common language and develop a shared mental model. Ability to quickly grasp the dynamics of a complex system, identify key elements, entities and their relations, create maps or models that help people inside the system, or outsiders, understand 
its dynamics: being able to swiftly make sense of an undifferentiated mass of information, extract its very essence, and turn that into key messages and visualizations. 
Information Management & Technology - Data Management & Analytics :  Strong knowledge of data management and data science, including the ability to generate, structure, clean, and integrate datasets : Apply data mining and analytical techniques to uncover patterns and trends; and develop clear dashboards and visualizations to support decision-making. 
Familiarity with AI to solve development problems Power BI or related visualization certification desirable. 
Business Management - Partnerships Management :  Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced degree (Master’s) in Data Science, Statistics, Economics, Development Studies, Environmental Science, or a related field. 
  • A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Experience:

  • Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in applied research, data analytics, or innovation for development.
  • Proven track record of using data to inform programme or policy decisions within development or government institutions is required.
  • Experience in managing or contributing to multi-stakeholder initiatives involving academia, government, and private sector.
  • Experience and knowledge in large data management system is desirable 
  • Familiarity with UNDP’s programming, SDG integration, or data innovation frameworks is an asset.
  • Experience in UN and UNDP on similar interventions is desired
  • Experience in promoting inter-and intra-agency collaboration and data sharing system is desirable 

Language:

  • Fluency in English required; working knowledge of Amharic or another local language is an advantage 

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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