UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to tackle the injustices of poverty, inequality, and climate change on a global scale. Working with our broad network of experts, host governments and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law. 

Following the power shift in August 2021, the situation for the country remains largely uncertain and fragile, with approximately seventy percent of the population facing multifaceted vulnerabilities affecting their well-being, human security and long-term development while nearly a third of the population are estimated to be acutely food insecure. Over the recent years, international assistance has played a vital role in averting a socioeconomic collapse by providing lifesaving, resilience-building and livelihoods-sustaining assistance to millions of people, hundreds of critical healthcare and educational centres, and tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises, often owned and managed by women. Nevertheless, the humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan is one of the biggest in the world, and basic human needs and priorities remain extremely high. In 2024, 95 percent of households experienced at least one shock of an economic or natural disaster nature such as floods, droughts and others. 

To help tackle the pressing challenges for enduring livelihoods and climate resilience, UNDP is designing fit-for-purpose portfolios of programs to create new livelihoods, income opportunities, basic services and to build resilience against climate-induced natural calamities that continue to haunt millions of households in the country. 

Afghanistan remains one of the most gender-unequal countries in the world, with women facing systemic challenges hindering their access to education and employment opportunities in the public sector and restricting their participation in public life. UNDP remains committed to women's empowerment through capacity-building initiatives, livelihoods and self-employment/employment support, enhancing gender-responsive decision-making at community level, and supporting local communities to include women, in line with UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security).

The Policy, Innovation and Knowledge Unit undertakes research and policy analysis to inform the strategic direction of the country office and its programmes. The unit tracks socioeconomic trends and undertakes thematic and policy-related research and analysis in the country, in order to produce a range of Knowledge Products (KPs). These include annual socioeconomic review reports, policy briefs, thematic research reports and innovative analytical tools and resources. The unit also supports the production of KPs from other units, works closely with the Regional Bureau and headquarters on strategic policy issues, and leads economic policy dialogue with UN and development partners through co-chairing the Economic Stabilization Strategic Thematic Working Group (ES STWG), under the Afghanistan Coordination Group (ACG). The unit closely supports the Resident Representative and senior management in their policy engagement with UNAMA and UN partners on key UN priorities. The work of the unit lies at the heart of policy and programme innovation and development in the country office and is closely aligned with other UN agencies and development partners to link, learn, adapt and innovate, to make best use of the combined resources available.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure effective support for all data analysis work and the Unit’s reporting requirements.

• Support all aspects of the Unit’s technical, administrative and data analysis work and undertake all data related tasks as instructed by the Data Analyst, under their day-to-day supervision.
• Under the direction of the PIKU Unit Head, assume responsibility for the Unit’s routine reporting to the Country Office, to include (but not limited to) Quarterly and Annual progress reporting.

Provide support for data analysis, validation and data maintenance related to ongoing Unit initiatives.

• Enhance the Unit’s data analysis capabilities, through using Excel to manage, analyze, and visualize datasets.
• Utilize Excel formulas to perform calculations and data manipulations.
• Design and execute pivot tables for summarizing large datasets.
• Generate reports and insights based on the data analyzed.
• Maintain accuracy and consistency in data handling.
• Ensure data integrity by validating data ranges and comparing datasets across multiple years.
• Implement data validation techniques to check for permissible data ranges.
• Compare datasets from different years to identify trends and discrepancies.
• Develop automated checks to streamline the validation process.
• Document and report the findings of data comparisons.
• Clean data to ensure high-quality, accurate reporting and analysis.
• Identify and remove duplicate entries from datasets.
• Maintain a log of corrections made for auditing purposes.
• Validate and corroborate data using multiple authoritative sources to ensure reliability.
• Gather data from recognized sources such as UN, government agencies, and the World Bank.
• Cross-reference data across different reports for consistency.
• Summarize findings and discrepancies in comparative analysis reports.
• Keep updated with new publications and revisions from available sources.
• Cross check the datasets against reports for accuracy.

Support the design, integration, and data storage activities for the Knowledge Management Hub.

• Assist in integrating data from various files and formats into a consolidated database or format.
• Merge data from different files ensuring data integrity and alignment.
• Validate combined data for completeness and accuracy.
• Document the data sources and integration methods used.
• Stay informed with the latest research and reports to ensure data relevancy.
• Regularly search for and review new research papers, studies, and reports.
• Summarize key findings relevant to ongoing projects.
• Incorporate latest insights into current data analysis frameworks.
• Maintain an organized repository of sourced documents.
• Ensure data collected complies with ethical standards and privacy regulations.
• Prepare and format data so it could be inserted into an online portal.
• Format data to meet the technical requirements of the portal.
• Conduct tests to ensure data displays correctly across different platforms.
• Document the process and specifications for data preparation and integration.

Ensures Knowledge Management and Knowledge Sharing activities of the Unit.

• Provide sound contributions and support to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
• Provide regular research support to the production of knowledge products.
• Disseminate information from publications, products, activities, etc., to UN agencies, donors, development partners, NGOs, etc.
• Compile, organize, and file information and documents, including correspondence and minutes, for reference and use by team members.
• Document lessons learned and recommendations to improve activities.
• Coordinate/ liaise with printers on editing and layout work of publications, reports, booklets, and awareness materials before publishing.
• Coordinate post-production work for publications and dissemination.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

4.      Institutional Arrangement

Under the guidance of the Specialist and Unit Head, Policy Innovation and Knowledge Unit and the day-to-day supervision of the Data Analyst, the Data and Reporting Associate will support the operation and maintenance of the Unit’s Data Management tools and databases and the Unit’s data analysis and reporting activities as required. 

Competencies

Core Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident 

Engage and Partner:LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Business Management Customer Satisfaction/Client Management

• Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. 
• Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.
• Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. 
• Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Business Management Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Business Management Risk Management

• Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks

Business Management Results-based Management

• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.

Business Development Knowledge Generation

• Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.

Finance Budget Management

• Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

Education:

• Secondary education is required.

OR

• A university degree (bachelor degree) in Computer Science, Computer Applications, Information Technology, Statistics, Economics, Law or Political Science or relevant related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

• A minimum of 6 years (with secondary education ) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively relevant experience, in data analysis, data management and reporting at the national and/or international level is required.

Required Skills:

• Experience in the use of Office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Power Point) and in data analysis and management software is required.
• Experience in the use of advanced Excel formulas and data visualization is required.
• Experience completing narrative reports to a high level of English language is required.
• Experience in reviewing and editing documents, ability to produce meeting reports and identify key actions is required.

Desired Skills: 

• Experience in the thematic areas such as poverty alleviation, economic growth, public policy is desired. 
• Experience in data visualization tools (Power BI) and infographics tools (Adoble illustrator) is desired.
• Experience in use of T-Sql Commands is desired.
• Prior UN/ UNDP experience and familiarity with its policies and procedures, particularly in the applicable job area, is an added advantage.
• Experience in reviewing and editing documents, writing reports is an asset. 

Languages:

Fluency in English and national languages Dari/and or Pashto is required.

Interested applicants can apply by clicking the link below or by copying and pasting the link into their browsers to access the application for the post.

Data and Reporting Associate - UNDP Careers

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders) 

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP 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 at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

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