UNDP Jobs - 90081- Data Science and Visualization Consultant

Data Science and Visualization Consultant

Location :

New York

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

12-Mar-2020

Application Deadline :

18-Feb-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

4 months (up to 80 working days)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

4 months (up to 80 working days)

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

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP works through 125 country offices to provide development advocacy, advice and assistance to 170 countries globally.

The Effectiveness Group of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) focuses on assisting UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working. It seeks to do so by enabling UNDP and others to be more innovative, and to make more evidence and data driven decisions by identifying, testing, sharing, learning from and institutionalizing what works. It acts as a hub on all aspects of results-based management, development performance monitoring and analysis, as well as identifying, collecting, and sharing ideas on new and better ways of working across the UNDP network, social innovators, and the development community.

The Development Results and Performance Analysis Team (Results Team) of the Effectiveness Group leads UNDP’s results and resources analytics using a range of qualitative and quantitative data sources. In 2018, UNDP has built a new data infrastructure to support the implementation of the Strategic Plan for 2018-2021, where 10,000+ development projects are linked to Country Programme Documents, Signature Solutions and SDGs. The newly introduced Project Markers (Hows, Whos, Partners, Joint Programme, South-South Cooperation and Humanitarian Markers) has added a greater depth to UNDP’s results and resources analysis. UNDP conducts annual results reporting through Results Oriented Analysis Report (ROAR) where all 125 country offices and headquarter units report their achievement and challenges in an narrative format.

Building on machine learning algorithms and live Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and qualitative results data reported through the ROAR, the Results Team developed the Power BI based Portfolio Analysis Dashboard, which visualizes UNDP’s financial, results and project data in dynamic maps and charts to support the Midterm Review (MTR) of the Strategic Plan for 2018-2021 and evidence and data-informed policy making and programming across the organisation.

The Data Science and Visualization Consultant (Consultant) will support the enhancement of the Portfolio Analysis Dashboard through developing supervised/unsupervised machine learning algorithms and effectively visualizing UNDP’s qualitative and quantitative data, including Project Marker data, performance indicator data, evaluations, etc.

In addition, the Consultant is expected to develop machine learning algorithms for critical analytics required for the Midterm Review of the Strategic Plan (MTR) and incorporate the analytics in the Dashboard as needed.

The Consultant will work closely with the Effectiveness Group, Global Policy Network (GPN) Policy Leads, Information and Technology Management (IMT) Team, Regional Bureaux and Country Offices to develop client-centred analytical tool for strategy setting, policy making and programming of UNDP

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Policy Specialist, the Consultant will perform the following tasks:

Develop machine learning algorithms required for the MTR of the Strategic Plan.
Develop algorithms for supervised and unsupervised machine learning for portfolio and project analytics.
Incorporate the machine learning analytics and other relevant data in the Portfolio Analysis Dashboard with effective data visualization and functionality.
Maintain and improve the data quality and functionality of the Portfolio Analysis Dashboard.

Key Deliverables and Indicative Timelines (estimation):

Machine learning algorithms to analyze UNDP’s key areas of work for the MTR of the Strategic Plan. – by 20 March 2020
Machine learning algorithms for supervised and unsupervised machine learning for portfolio and project analytics, including programme, project and evaluation data. – by 30 April 2020
Enhanced Portfolio Analysis Dashboard with additional analyses. – by 30 May 2020
Fully functioning Portfolio Analysis Dashboard with high data quality and user-friendly functionalities. – by 12 June 2020
Share all relevant source codes and documentation in GitHub and submit hand over note of the completed consultancy work. – by 30 June 2020

The Consultant is expected to be available full-time for the period of 4 months (with possible extension).

The Consultant will be given access to relevant information and data necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment. The consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own laptop to conduct the work.
If the Consultant will be required to work remotely, the consultant will engage with the Supervisor by email and Skype regularly.
Payments will be made upon submission of the deliverables and acceptance and confirmation by the Supervisor.

Payment:

Payments to the consultant will be made monthly based on the actual number of days worked, deliverables accepted and upon certification of satisfactory delivery of services by the supervisor.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Client-service attitude and sensitivity in communicating with clients.
Ability to explain complex and abstract concepts in simple terms and adapt language and content to different target audiences.
Demonstrated interest and motivation in the field of development.

Functional Competencies

Strong data analytics and coding skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of data with attention to detail and accuracy.
Strong understanding of databases, data collection systems, data analytics and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality.
Strong data visualization skills with Power BI and/or other business intelligence systems.
Ability to learn new technologies quickly. Demonstrated willingness to keep technical skills and knowledge up-to-date.
Ability to think logically and analytically in a problem-solving environment.
Ability to evaluate, transform and model data to derive relevant findings.
Ability to analyze problems and present clear options for solution.
Knowledge of methodologies, tools, systems and apply practical experience in planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting and ability to apply to practical situations.
Ability to multi-task.
Ability to work independently.
Responsible, responsive and enthusiastic.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

At Bachelor’s degree or above in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related filed required.

Experience

Minimum 3 years of work experience in IT, Artificial Intelligence, data analytics and/or related field, required.
Minimum 1 year of experience in creating/maintaining dashboard and report using corporate BI tools, such as Power BI (preferred), Tableau, Qlik sense or similar tools, required.
Demonstrated experience in handling large datasets and quality assurance, required.

Experience (work or project) of machine learning algorithms is required.
Knowledge of programming language (Python, R, SQL, JavaScript, etc.) and/or any other analytical tools is required.

Working experience with Microsoft Azure is an asset.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English language required (Oral and written).

RECOMMENDED PRESENTATION OFFER:

Application is a two-step process:

STEP 1

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain the TWO following documents, ALL IN ONE FILE:

DOCUMENT 1: Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
DOCUMENT 2: Brief description of why the individual considers her/himself suitable for the assignment. Please submit this information in the same file as Document 1.
All the information requested above must be submitted in the same file. Candidates who fail to submit all the information requested above will be disqualified.
Do not include your financial proposal at this stage. Only shortlisted candidates (technically qualified) will be invited to submit a financial proposal.

STEP 2

Financial Proposal

After review of applications, technically qualified candidates will be contacted by UNDP and requested to submit a Financial Proposal.

The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily fee.
The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee; cost of travel from the home base to the duty station and vice versa, where required; living allowances at the duty station; communications, utilities and consumables; life, health and any other insurance; risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable; and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract.
In the case of unforeseeable travel requested by UNDP, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit a financial proposal. UNDP will provide candidates with the financial proposal template.
If the Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.
The Financial Proposal is to be emailed as per the instruction in the separate email that will be sent to responsive and qualified candidates.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

Financial proposals must be all inclusive and must be expressed on the basis of “a daily fee” in USD.
Payment will be made upon submission of a certificate of payment request, at a schedule agreed based on deliverables, indicating outputs achieved and days worked to be verified and cleared for payment by the supervisor.
Any official mission travel expenses will be duly paid for directly by UNDP and should not be included in the price proposal.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.
Qualified women are encouraged to apply.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF THE BEST OFFER:

The selection of the best offer from the shortlisted candidates will be based on a Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and experience will be weighted a maximum of 700 points and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 300 points out of 1000 points.

Method: Cumulative analysis method will be used to evaluate proposals.

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
Responsive, compliant, acceptable; and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria weight: 70%

Financial Criteria weight: 30%

Technical Evaluation (700 points, Weight 70%)

All applicants will be initially screened against the minimum qualification requirements as specified above.

Responsive candidates will then be further evaluated against the following criteria:

DESK REVIEW OF TECHNICAL CRITERIA AS EVIDENT IN THE SUBMITTED APPLICATION:

Criterion 1. Knowledge on programming language (Python, R, SQL, JavaScript, etc.) and/or any other analytical tools (100 points – 70 points for solid knowledge on Python and/or R and 30 points for solid knowledge on SQL, JavaScript and/or any other analytical tools).
Criterion 2. Relevance of the experience in developing machine learning algorithms (100 points).
Criterion 3. Proven track record of working with data visualization tools such as Power BI Tableau, Qlik sense or similar tools (100 points – Maximum of 100 points for proven track record in creating Power BI reports/dashboards (depending on the relevance of the Power Bi expertise). If the applicant does not havePower BI experience, the maximum of points obtainable for track record with data visualization tool(s), other than Power BI is 50 pts.
Criterion 4. Relevance of the experience in dealing with large datasets and quality assurance (100 points).
Criterion 5. Interview (300 points).

The maximum points that can be achieved in the desk review is 400 points.

Only those applicants obtaining a minimum of 280 points (70% of points obtainable in the desk review: Criterion 1-4) will be considered for an interview (Criterion 5).

The total obtainable score on the interview is 300 points bringing the total points for the technical evaluation to a maximum of 700 points.

Candidates obtaining less than 210 points during the interview (70 % of points obtainable during the interview) will be directly disqualified.

Only those candidates who obtain a total technical score of 490 points and above on the technical evaluation will be considered for financial evaluation and will be asked to submit a financial proposal.

Financial evaluation (300 points, Weight 30%)

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

For the General Conditions of contracts for the Services of Individual Contractors, see http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf.

Note:

Please visit http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=22291 to view the Individual Contract (IC) General Terms and Conditions (for Individuals/Free Lancers who will sign the UNDP contract on behalf of themselves).
For Individuals who will be represented on behalf of a company, a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) will be signed between UNDP and the company. To view the RLA's terms & conditions, please see http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=22292 Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA): A legal instrument between UNDP and a Company/institution, according to which, the latter makes available the services of an individual delivering time-bound and quantifiable outputs that are directly linked to payments
UNDP Personal History form (P11) required of all applicants

http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc