Background

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Global Pulse is an innovation initiative in the Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General, harnessing today's new world of digital data and real-time analytics to gain a better understanding of changes in human well-being. Global Pulse hopes to contribute a future in which access to better information sooner makes it possible to keep international development on track, protect the world's most vulnerable populations, and strengthen resilience to global shocks. Global Pulse is being implemented as a global network of Pulse Labs, bringing together expertise from UN agencies, governments, academia, and the private sector to research, develop, test and share tools and approaches for harnessing real-time data for more effective and efficient policy action.

Pulse Lab Jakarta
Global Pulse is establishing a Pulse Lab in Jakarta in 2012 in partnership with the Government of Indonesia. Pulse Lab Jakarta will function as an open innovation space where policy experts together with UN development practitioners and other partners can experiment with new types of data and emerging technologies and evaluate their potential to enhance both public policy decision-making and community resilience.  Following the development of useful approaches, Pulse Lab Jakarta will support institutional adoption of these innovations into policy and practice.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Under the supervision of the Data Scientist , and the incumbent will be working closely with the Research team, data analyst and geospatial analyst in Pulse Lab Jakarta accessing and deriving insights from large data sets to solve problems. He or she must be able to work with a variety of data types, programming languages and platforms, must be comfortable with both hands-on development and research support, and must be adept at both understanding the information content of data and transforming and preparing it for analytical and reporting purposes.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Ensures effective functioning of the data management and development of new tools for high impact results focusing on the achievement of the  following results:
• Comprehensive design harnessing Big Data to address global challenges
• Development and effective implementation of software tools to extract, process and analyze data sets from a variety of sources
• Development of  algorithms that can scale to very large data sets
• Development of  systems for classifying content
• Production of  interactive data visualizations and user interaction environments
• Development of  working prototypes and applications for the Pulse Library that will be used by UN agencies and partners

2. Ensures implementation of  global pulse strategies and introduction/implementation of new technologies focusing on achievement of the following results:
• Compliance with corporate information management and technology standards, guidelines and   procedures for the UNDP technology environment.
• Provision of inputs to elaboration of internal policies and procedures on the use of data management.

3. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in focusing   on achievement of the following results:
• Identification and promotion of different systems and applications for optimal data management, knowledge management and sharing, information provision.
• Organization of trainings for the projects staff on data management issues.
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices and sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice

Competencies

Functional Competencies:    

Building Strategic Partnerships
Level 1.1: Maintaining information and databases
- Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
Level 1.1: Basic research and analysis
- Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things
- Documents innovative strategies and new approaches

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
Level 1.1: Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures
- Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position
- Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
- Identifies new and better approaches to work processes and incorporates same in own work
- Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
- Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments

Promoting Organizational Change and Development

Level 1.1: Presentation of information on best practices in organizational change
- Demonstrates ability to identify problems and proposes solutions

Design and Implementation of Management Systems
Level 1.1: Data gathering and implementation of management systems
- Uses information/databases/other management systems

Client Orientation

Level 1.1:  Maintains effective client relationships
- Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion
- Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
- Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients
- Responds to client needs promptly

Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management
Level 1.1:  Gathering and disseminating information
- Gathers and disseminates information on best practice in accountability and results-based management systems

Core Competencies:
- Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity 
- Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
- Self-development, initiative-taking
- Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
- Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
- Creating synergies through self-control
- Managing conflict
- Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
- Informed and transparent decision making

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 
Master Degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Mathematics, Statistics, or related field technical disciplines with 3 years of working experience  or a combination of a first degree with 7 years of relevant experience may be accepted.

Experience: 
- Experience working with diverse programming languages, design patterns, frameworks, libraries and platforms.
- Experience working on machine learning algorithms or other aspects of Artificial Intelligent (AI)
- Experience with stream computing and data warehousing;
- Experience with rapid application development (agile, extreme, scrum, lean...).
- Experience working with open source data processing frameworks is a plus.
- Experience working with Amazon EC2 or Hadoop is a plus.
- Passion for Big Data, computers, software engineering, architecture design, and application development.
- Independent and driven, and able to manage and lead without close supervision.
- Flexible, adaptable, and comfortable working in a start-up environment.
- Ability to work directly with internal and external clients to define requirements for analysis and reporting.
- Familiarity with statistical programming and discrete mathematics.

Language Requirements:  Fluent in English and Bahasa (both oral and written)

APPLICANT MUST COMPLETE P11 FORM AND SUBMIT AS PART OF THEIR APPLICATION . Click here to down load the form P11 Female candidates are encouraged to apply

UNDP Indonesia 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 Indonesia at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and education requirements