The Young Professionals Programme examination in Statistics and Data Science covers a wide range of topics in the areas of descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, probability theory, statistical computing, data management, machine learning, and demographic, social, economic and environmental statistics, accounts and indicators.

Some of the key responsibilities in these positions would be (These duties are generic and may not all be carried out in every position):
• Participates in the collection, evaluation, analysis, compilation and dissemination of statistical data from Member States by selecting methods of data collection, selecting and implementing appropriate methods for validating collected data and processing data for incorporation into statistical database(s);
• Participates in the development, implementation, and management of statistical database(s) and outputs in a particular area of statistics such as economic statistics and national accounts, trade statistics, environment, energy and industrial statistics, demographic and social statistics, etc.;
• Participates in collaborative projects for the development and testing of new methods and machine learning algorithms using Big Data and non-traditional data sources;
• Assists in developing and maintaining databases on demographic indicators, population and development indicators, population policy information and indicators or information on other population-related issues;
• Contributes to the design and develops data science products to reveal insights and provides an understanding or knowledge of the data that would otherwise not be detected without the application of advanced analytical methods such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, data and text mining, natural language processing, statistics, and use of relevant algorithms and computational approaches; • Participates in the design and delivery of capacity development activities in statistics and data science, including technical assistance and training;
• Contributes to the development and application of standards for data and metadata exchange for use in different areas of statistics;
• Conducts methodological research, analyze, and present information gathered from various data sources on assigned topics;
• Contributes to the preparation of population estimates and projections and applies methodologies for demographic analysis. This task includes the application of techniques of demographic analysis to estimate demographic indicators and to evaluate population data for completeness and accuracy so as to adjust the data as needed. It also includes the application of techniques or methods of population projection, and the provision of input to the periodic revisions of assumptions underlying the population projections.
• Participates in the development and harmonization of appropriate methods and standards for measuring the performance in different areas of statistics, including development and revision of statistical concepts, definitions and classifications;
• Maintains close liaison and cooperation with relevant national and international institutions’ experts in statistics and data science;
• Organizes and participates in seminars, working groups, expert meetings and task teams as a technical resource person;
• Contributes to the preparation of draft technical documents for international, intergovernmental and expert group meetings and other relevant reports;
• Guides, trains, and supervises general service staff;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Professionalism:
•Shows pride in work and in achievements
•Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter
•Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results
•Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns
•Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges
•Remains calm in stressful situations
•Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of workTechnological 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

Planning & Organizing:
•Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
•Identifies priority activities and assignments
•Adjusts priorities as required
•Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
•Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning
•Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary
•Uses time efficiently

At least a first-level university degree (i.e., Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree of at least three years) in one of the following areas (to be selected from the “Main Course of Study” dropdown menu):

All Fields of Study within the following Main Courses of Study:
•  Mathematics and Statistics
•  Computing

Additional accepted Fields of Study:
•  Demography, Econometrics, Economics, International Economics, Sociology (found within the “Social and Behavioural Science” Main Course of Study)

Important: when preparing your application in Inspira, please choose the field of study that is closest to your degree, from the “Field of Study” and “Main Course of Study” dropdown menus; then type the exact title in original language as well as its translation in English or French in the additional comment boxes. Do not select “other” for main course of study or field of study.

The assessment process is divided into 3 stages:
1)  Screening of applications
2)  Written examination taken online
3)  Oral examination.Knowledge of UN languages may be tested at any of these stages. 

•  Applications will be screened based on the eligibility criteria in this Job Opening.

•  The written examination will be conducted via an online testing platform.  Candidates convoked for the written examination will be responsible for identifying and securing a location suitable for them to complete the examination (i.e., a computer with a reliable internet connection). Further information regarding the online testing platform and exam preparation guidance will be provided to those convoked for the examination.

The written examination is planned to be offered in two parts, with the following tentative time frame (exact dates to be announced):
•   Part I (mid-May) consists of 1) the General Paper, which assesses competencies and abilities critical to success in working in an international affairs context, and 2) first part of the Specialized Paper, multiple choice questions which assess knowledge and attributes relevant to the exam area.
•   Part II (1-2 months after part 1) consists of the second part of the Specialized Paper, constructed response items (i.e., open-ended questions) which assess knowledge and attributes relevant to the exam area. Only examinees successful in part one of the online exam will be invited to participate in the second part.

•   Only examinees who are successful in the overall written examination will be invited to the oral examination. The oral examination will be conducted via online video conference.  The oral examination will assess the key competencies for the job family, as described in the Job Opening. Part of the final assessment stage, either before, during or after the oral examination may include an element to verify the candidate’s answers given in the Specialized Paper as well as the information in the Personal History Profile submitted.  The anticipated time frame for the oral examinations is sometime in Autumn 2022.

•   The purpose of the present Job Opening is to invite applications from external candidates who wish to take the Young Professionals Programme (YPP) examination in Statistics and Data Science. Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the YPP Careers Page to learn more: careers.un.org/ypp. UN Secretariat staff members who are eligible to apply through the “G to P” or “G to N” track must not apply through this Job Opening.

•    Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
1.  Have at least a first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or at least a three-year equivalent) in the main course of study listed in the Education Section of this Job Opening;
2.  Be 32 years old or younger by the end of 2021 (born on or after 1 January 1989);
3.  Be fluent in either English or French; and
4.  Have the nationality of a participating Member State.

The participating Member States for the 2021 YPP are:

Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

If more than 60 applicants from the same country apply for the same exam area, those applicants will be further screened and ranked according to points given for the following additional qualifications: highest level of education completed, knowledge of official UN languages, and relevant work experience. The “top 60” applicants per country per exam area will be convoked to the first stage of the online exam. A maximum of 40 applicants per country per exam area will move forward from the first stage of the online exam to the second stage, based on exam performance.

•   APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT SCANNED COPIES OF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS, AS ATTACHMENTS IN THEIR APPLICATIONS, TO BE CONSIDERED.
1. Passport or a valid identification document issued by a state authority, showing your name, birth date and nationality, with a clear photograph;
2. Documentation of University degree(s) (e.g., diploma, transcript or similar official document), reflecting the main course of study selected.

•  Submitting applications for more than one YPP exam in a given year will result in automatic disqualification in all.

•  Success in the YPP exam process will result in placement on a roster of eligible candidates for selection into specific vacancies which may arise over the course of a three-year period (beginning from when the roster is established).

•  Upon selection, successful YPP candidates will be initially appointed at the P-1 or P-2 level depending on their qualifications.  Those appointed at the P-1 level shall be promoted to a position at the P-2 level following a minimum of two years of satisfactory performance and depending on the availability of posts.

•  Applicants should monitor the UN Careers YPP Page (careers.un.org/ypp) frequently. Important notifications and updates will be posted there.

•  Click “apply” to activate the Virtual Assistant or Chatbot, Alba, in Inspira. Alba will answer questions about YPP.

According to 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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.  The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship.  Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.  By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c).  In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.