UNCDF Jobs - 58991- Data Management Specialist (Analytics)

Data Management Specialist (Analytics)

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Bangkok, THAILAND

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

04-Sep-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UNCDF provides investment capital and technical support to both the public and the private sector. It provides capital financing -- in the form of grants, soft loans and credit enhancement – and the technical expertise to unleash sustainable financing at the local level.

UNCDF’s work on inclusive finance seeks to develop inclusive financial systems and ensure that a range of financial products are available to all segments of society, including low income men and women, at a reasonable cost, and on a sustainable basis. UNCDF supports a wide range of providers (e.g. microfinance institutions, banks, cooperatives, money transfer companies) and a variety of financial products and services (e.g. savings, credit, insurance, payments, and remittances). UNCDF also supports newer delivery channels (e.g. mobile phone networks) that offer tremendous potential for scale.

The Data and Analytics Specialist’s work will contribute to two UNCDF programmes:

Shaping Inclusive Finance Transformations (SHIFT) which aims to transition at least 6 million individuals, micro-entrepreneurs, and small and medium businesses, including women and young people from using informal financial mechanisms, to more formalized financial services by the year 2020; and
CleanStart which aims to dramatically expand consumer financing for low-income consumers who want to transition to cleaner and more efficient energy. More information on the programmes can be found at: http://www.uncdf.org/en/shift and http://www.uncdf.org/en/cleanstart.

SHIFT seeks to change the behavior of financial institutions and the broader ecosystem of financial services providers, in order to respond to excluded groups, especially women and SMEs led by or primarily employing or serving women. However, behavior change can be challenging, due to socioeconomic and cultural norms. Data and analysis is an important component to understanding the constraints that prevent the delivery and use of financial services, and can be used to inform the transformation of the financial market to allow larger numbers of people and businesses to benefit from and contribute to the delivery and use of financial services.

Furthermore, when packaged well and communicated, data can work to engage senior level representatives, stakeholders and officials in dialogue on change. However, it is often seen that there is too much data available which is not well analyzed, targeted or reliable. Similarly, engagements need constant follow-up with multiple channels of communication used to maintain engagement. Under the SHIFT programme, the Data and Analytics Specialist’s work will specifically support the SHIFT Programme Output 3 – Data and Analysis Hub. The Data and Analysis Hub will support the undertaking of country based data gathering through UNCDF’s Making Access Possible (MAP) diagnostic programme and data surveys, which aim to support the development of national financial inclusion roadmaps. The hub will also produce, consolidate and communicate data and information on supply, demand and regulation in financial markets to strengthen the evidence base and investment decisions, all data will be gender disaggregated in order to further draw out specific investment initiatives which will benefit both women and men. SHIFT will utilize the Data and Analysis Hub as a cross-cutting tool which produces well-researched and targeted communications and knowledge products to influence policy makers, practitioners and other stakeholder.

Overall, the Data and Analytics Specialist will work on demand, supply and policy related data collection, research and analysis for both the CleanStart and SHIFT programmes. UNCDF believes that it is possible to develop a data market that can transform how financial market actors behave and make decisions. However, the current problem is that the data market (which is complementary to the financial market) is under-developed and fragmented. The long term aim of the development of the Data Hub is to support the development of the data market not only to support SHIFT and CleanStart, but others in financial markets beyond those institutions supported by our programmes, and well beyond 2020.

The Data and Analytics Specialist will be based at UNCDF’s Bangkok Regional office, and will report both to the SHIFT Programme Manager and CleanStart Programme Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Data and Analytics Specialist will provide support in terms of organising scoping country missions, oversee work undertaken at the country level on financial inclusion demand surveys and market diagnostics (i.e. MAP), conduct in-depth country and regional research, generate financial market data and analytics among ASEAN member countries, share data/research results with key stakeholders and identify cross-regional issues related to inclusive finance.

The key result expected is the successful generation and use of data for enhancing financial inclusion and energy financing through improved decision making.

Summary of key functions:

The Data and Analytics Specialist will pursue the following functions under the SHIFT and CleanStart programmes:

Data and Analytics Hub oversight, partnership and stakeholder management;
Data analysis to support policy decisions and programming;
Knowledge management;
Backstopping Programme Managers.

Data and Analytics Hub oversight, partnership and stakeholder management.

Directly Responsible:

Develop a strategy, mid-term operational plan and budgets for the Data and Analytics hub, including how the hub will establish and maintain partnerships, and alliances with organisations whose core business is data and analytics, who can integrate gender concerns throughout their business processes, and who can contribute to more effective decision-making by financial market actors beyond the SHIFT and CleanStart programmes;
Develop and manage partnerships and strategic alliances for the undertaking of MAP, primary thematic research and secondary research based on multiple data sources including big data for sourcing and sharing of data and analysis; partnership development should focus on engaging partners to directly undertake activities and agreements with innovators and other market actors who can build a sustainable path for the Data Hub beyond SHIFT and CleanStart;
Prepare and monitor grant and technical assistance agreements with National Statistic Bureaus and other SHIFT and CleanStart programme partners involved in data collection and analysis, integrating gender equality principles in assistance agreements;
Develop data collection and reporting mechanisms on the achievement of financial inclusion, energy financing targets by respective countries, and thematic priority areas such as gender, youth and SMEs; including gender disaggregated access and impacts;
Coordination of data collection, through MAP and/or additional surveys and market research where necessary, ensuring gender disaggregated data collection, to support financial inclusion and energy financing priorities at the country and regional level;
Oversee the work of the MAP National Coordinators to ensure successful implementation of MAP diagnostic and data surveys, arranging trainings when necessary on gender sensitivity;
Manage relationship with the UNCDF Global MAP programme to ensure that the MAP technical infrastructure offers quality control and overall management of the research process undertaken by national counterparts, conducts data analysis, co-publish research results with national counter-parts;
Undertake scoping missions to select and prioritize the undertaking of surveys and research in target countries and have discussions with government, private sector, donors and other stakeholders for development and implementation of Financial Inclusion Roadmaps;
Organize and participate in stakeholder meetings at the country and regional levels to support data collection, analysis and identification of trends.

Coordination and Collaboration:

Prepare material needed to support the Programme Manager to mobilise resources for the implementation of MAP, surveys and other research in selected countries.

Data analysis to support policy decisions and programming:

Directly Responsible:

Regularly produce and analyze data on energy financing and financial inclusion, including gender disaggregation and analysis, and direct the work of programme partners in undertaking such tasks;
Use demand, supply and policy level data for countries, collected through surveys and big data, to develop regional level financial inclusion priorities and energy financing priorities, ensuring gender inclusion in such priorities;
Periodically map available data sources on financial inclusion and energy financing;
Undertake the analysis of data to identify various financial product requirements, specific regional trends and market segment requirements, disaggregated along gender and age, and disseminate data and research to ensure policy decisions are based on up-to-date data and analysis. Also utilize analysis to contribute to thematic cross-broader research, policy studies and longitudinal research on financial behavior.

Coordination and Collaboration:

Produce data analysis and research to facilitate regional policy dialogue and decision-making at the level of ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Forums, as well as for the facilitation of investment decisions by financial institutions, investors and donors for cross-border funding;
Make recommendations on areas for further data discovery using a range of data sources.

Knowledge management:

Directly Responsible

Identify areas where communications data can improve efficiency, encourage collaboration and create incentives to innovate across ASEAN countries on Financial Inclusion and energy financing;
Oversee and develop methodologies for data management, research dissemination and data communications on financial inclusion and energy financing through the development of ICT tools;
Ensure that activities, research and workshops/seminars are gender equitable, and highlight the specific priorities or experiences of women;
Communicate relevant lessons and feedback on the Data and Analysis Hub within SHIFT to support the development and strategic approach of UNCDF’s Inclusive Finance programmes/projects.

Coordination and Collaboration:

Collaborate with the Communications Specialist where relevant, to generate data to be used in infographics, videos and other communication tools to facilitate the use of data for advocacy purposes;
Coordinate with the Communications Specialist to ensure that knowledge products generated are widely shared;
Ensure the Data Hub supports the work of SHIFT team members, acting as a cross-cutting communications and information tool for improved decision making and programme implementation, by providing informed research and data.

Act as a backstop to the Programme Managers:

Undertake duties while backstopping the Programme Managers of SHIFT and CleanStart as needed and as directed by the Programme Manager and/or UNCDF FIPA;
Undertake other duties and tasks as assigned.

Impact of Results

The key result expected is the successful implementation and attainment of targets of the SHIFT programme, specifically activities undertaken through the Data and Analytics Hub. The results have a major impact on the overall effectiveness of the SHIFT and CleanStart programmes, UNCDF’s FIPA practice area, and on UNCDF's reputation as a preferred partner in Inclusive Finance.

The Data and Analytics Specialist will pursue the following key results of the programme:

An in-depth, comprehensive and evidence-based understanding of demand, supply, infrastructure and regulatory issues related to financial inclusion on a national and regional level has been achieved and made available to Government and all relevant stakeholders;
Donor programs and funding are aligned to deal with key triggers and priorities for financial inclusion in ASEAN;
Planned programme outputs and outcomes are fully achieved in a timely manner, consistent with the expectations of the Government, funders, donors, private sector actors and other stakeholders involved in furthering financial inclusion in ASEAN, and optimal output quality assured, through sound and efficient internal business, quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation and reporting processes;
Programme strategic priorities and targets groups, such as women and SMEs, are effectively reached and incorporated in programme activities in a participatory manner;
Profile of UNCDF and its development partners as leaders in financial inclusion strengthened.

In addition, the result for CleanStart is to enhance understanding and awareness globally of the potential for finance to scale-up access to clean energy for Base-of-Pyramid clients and small enterprises, provide comparative analysis across different CleanStart countries and partners, and make available the tools and knowledge needed to scale-up access to clean energy beyond the project through evidence-based research.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly and without favoritism;
Shows strong corporate commitment;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNCDF and UNDP.

Functional Competencies:

Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork:

Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of the Programme;
Plans, prioritizes and deliver tasks on time;
Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others;
Responds flexibly and positively to change through active involvement;
Establishes clear performance goals, standards and responsibilities, and manages them accordingly;
Promotes a learning environment, and facilitates the development of individual and team competencies.
Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals.

Partnering and Networking:

Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside the programme;
Strong networking capabilities and ability to associate him/herself with a range of actors with a view to building relations and facilitating links;
Experience in organizing and coordination of a wide variety of meetings, conferences, events and other activities in professional contexts.

Technological Awareness:

Keeps abreast of available technology;
Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the Office;
Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks;
Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Communication:

Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills;
Sound interpersonal communication skills and teamwork.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in economics, public/business administration, social sciences, or related fields.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level;
Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation tools and methodologies and data analysis;
Ability to develop data analysis approaches, methodologies and databases;
Strong quantitative and qualitative data analysis capacities. Experience with statistical analysis tools, communication methods for representing data;
Working knowledge of current developments in microfinance and MSME development is an advantage;
Experience in project management, coordinating projects and supporting stakeholder engagement related to financial inclusion and financial sector development;
Strong networking capabilities and ability to associate him/herself with a range of actors (including policy makers, FSPs and TSPs and donors) with a view to building relations and facilitating links;
Experiences with similar assignments in developing countries, including LDCs in Asia will be an advantage;
Excellent computer literacy, including research skills, including the ability to work regularly with MS Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

Language.

Excellent command of the English language, with outstanding written and oral communication skills.