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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to Innovation

How can you make a difference?

The Innovation Manager Data Science (or “Data Science Lead”) is a member of the Solutions team with responsibility for providing strategy, vision and technical expertise for data science activities and initiatives. Activities and initiatives may include strategic and knowledge leadership to the Venture Fund’s investment strategy, technical leadership and support for early stage, open-source technology solutions or providing overall technical oversight, guidance and support to Country Office focused investments.

The Data Science Lead works with consultants and in close collaboration with other sections and teams within the Office of Innovation to act as a primary technical focal point for data science with partners and other internal units and divisions, particularly for UNICEF Program Country contexts.

Under the supervision of the Solutions Team Innovation Manager (Emerging Tech), the Data Science Lead’s key functions will be to:

1. Lead the Solutions team’s strategy and vision for data science activities.
2. Provide strategic and knowledge leadership to the Venture Fund’s investment strategy with respect to technical trends and opportunities to guide investments in startups and Country Offices.
3. Proactively engage selected Venture Fund seed and growth Investees with technical leadership and support for early stage, open-source technology solutions, for UNICEF Program Country contexts
4. Lead technical guidance and support to prioritised initiatives within the wider Office of Innovation
5. Coordinate with relevant UNICEF Divisions, Offices and other internal teams, including the Frontier Data Network, towards cohesive engagement and practice on data science across the organization.
6. Engage in relevant internal and external fora, including with open source and data science practitioner communities, to advocate, share standards and best practices

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  JD for TA post-DSLead-P4 1.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Minimum requirements

• • 1. 1. Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Computer Science,Economics,Engineering,Statistics,Mathematics,Physics,Actuarial,Science, Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Economics, Actuarial Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics and any other related fields.
       2. Work Experience: At least 8 years of relevant work experience in in leading data science initiatives, including developing, training, and validating machine learning and predictive analytics models. Demonstrated track record applying advanced analytical methods to guide innovation strategies and support early-stage, open-source technology solutions. Proven experience providing technical leadership to diverse teams, startups, and country offices, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities. Extensive background engaging with internal and external partners, coordinating cross-functional data science work, and contributing to Digital Public Goods and open-source ecosystems.
       3. Skills: Experience in one or more dynamic scripted language (Python, R, etc) is mandatory. Expertise in machine learning and advanced analytical model development; strong data analysis and interpretation capabilities; proven experience in predictive analytics for strategic decision-making; effective leadership in guiding technical teams; ability to build and manage partnerships across diverse stakeholders; excellent communication skills for conveying complex concepts clearly. 
       4. Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables

1. 1. Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language
   2. Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

UNICEF staff members holding fixed-term, continuing, or permanent appointments who are considered to be on abolished post status may apply for this temporary position and, if selected with a start date before 31 December 2025, may take it up as a temporary assignment, in line with UNICEF guidance on separation due to the abolition of posts or staff reduction. They will retain their fixed-term entitlements but will not hold a lien to their abolished post. For other scenarios where a Temporary Assignment may be possible, please refer to Additional guidance on IP to IP temporary assignments after completion of the full TOD.pdf (accessible to UNICEF personnel only).

The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member's original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.