Consultancy: Data Visualization Expert: Design & User Experience - D&A, DRP - NYHQ, Requisition# 506511

As an integral part of the data hub, the consultant will create and oversee the creation of effective visualizations to drive insights, to make our stories more compelling, to drive change and ultimately create value for children. The consultant will use applied visualization and visualization architecture to help build systems that grow the section’s capabilities beyond the standard charting techniques.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Background & Rationale

UNICEF’s Division of Data, Research and Policy (DRP) was created in 2014 in order to more effectively link and lead the organization’s data, research, policy and strategy functions, so that UNICEF can better track a rapidly changing world and strengthen policies and advocacy in an integrated way.  As the organization’s leader in data, the Data and Analytics section works closely with other divisions and units across the organization to leverage the potential of the data to deliver results for children, especially the most vulnerable and hardest to reach. To further this objective and to increase the accessibility of data for children, the section is spearheading the creation of a data visualization hub which facilitates the use of data for advocacy, actionable insights and evidence. The data visualization consultant will work across the organization to understand how data visualization can be best leveraged to increase the impact of UNICEF’s work and to coordinate the creation of data visualizations.

Purpose

As an integral part of the data hub, the consultant will create and oversee the creation of effective visualizations to drive insights, to make our stories more compelling, to drive change and ultimately create value for children.  The consultant will use applied visualization and visualization architecture to help build systems that grow the section’s capabilities beyond the standard charting techniques.

This position will range from project support to owning projects and seeing them through to completion. The consultant will have a passion for data visualization with a specialization in visual storytelling and a portfolio which demonstrates strong UI and UX skills and design aesthetics. The perfect candidate has a technical and design background working with news agencies, academia or the private sector to develop web front-end visualizations (graphs and dashboards). This is a multi-faceted effort involving an array of visualization tools such as D3.js, Three.js, Tableau and more. Travel will not be required.

Expected results: (measurable results)

Deliverables include (but are not limited to):

• Working with the various teams within UNICEF to understand key objectives of the pipeline items in various thematic areas, and how data visualization can be leveraged to make outputs as compelling as possible.
• Researching and prototyping innovative visualizations, recommend tools for key projects in areas such as Violence against Children, Child Marriage, FGM/C and others.
• Producing visualizations using your programming and design skills (infographics, charts, diagrams, mock-ups and wireframes for microsites, and dashboards for different projects, as necessary )
• Overseeing and managing vendors for complex data visualization projects, coordinate review and feedback process between vendor and project owners.
• Helping instill a culture of data creativity within UNICEF by documenting and publishing past, current, and future dataviz projects.
• Providing recommendations on templates, documentation and presentation methods.

Duty Station

New York Headquarters. The consultant is expected to work on site.

Timeframe

Start date:   10 September 2017                        

End date: 10 September 2018      

Deliverables

(See the last page for guidance on formulating deliverables)

Duration

(Estimated # of Days)

Deadline

Work with the various teams within UNICEF to understand key objectives of the pipeline items in various thematic areas, and how data visualization can be leveraged to make outputs as compelling as possible.

• For Child Protection: 10 days
• For all other thematic areas: 30 days

40

 TBD

Research and prototype innovative visualizations, detail various options within the restraints of the publishing environment,  recommend tools for key projects:

• For Child Protection: 0 days
• For all other thematic areas: 30 days

30

 TBD

Produce visualizations using your programming and design skills (infographics, charts, diagrams, mock-ups and wireframes for microsites, and dashboards )

• For Child Protection: 60 days (30 of which on child marriage, 20 on FGM/C and 10 on Violence against Children)

• For all other thematic areas: 80 days

140

TBD 

Oversee and manage vendors for complex data visualization projects

• For Child Protection: 0 days
• For all other thematic areas: 30 days

30

TBD 

Document and publish past, current, and future data visualization projects.

5

TBD 

Provide recommendations on templates, documentation and presentation methods.

5

 TBD

total

250

Key competences, technical background, and experience required

• BA/BS in Computer Science, Art, Design, Data Journalism, Graphic Design, or other technical or visual-related fields.
• 5-7+ years working in data visual design, data journalism or related fields with news agencies, academia or in a related industry
• Technical data visualization experience utilizing D3 (and similar libraries) for interactive web graphics and dashboards
• Experience working with various data APIs and tools for data transformation
• Extensive knowledge of design platforms like Adobe Creative Suite
• Development experience, e.g. Python, Node.js, React, JavaScript
• Strong analytical skills; ability to analyze raw data, draw conclusions, and understand how best to visualize.
• Experience with data journalism including writing and analysis.
• Visual portfolio required
• Project management skills including task prioritization, budget monitoring, and results driven strategies
• Fluency in English
• Ability to work with a diverse team in a rapidly-changing work environment.

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.