Regional Disaster Data Expert, UNV, Nairobi

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General

Description of assignment title

Regional Disaster Data Expert

Assignment country

Kenya

Duty stations

Nairobi

Work location

UN Premises

Expected start date

06/04/2026

Duration

12 months

(with possibility of extension)

Sustainable Development Goal

13. Climate action

Host entity

UNDRR Kenya

Modality

Onsite

Type

International

Volunteer category

Expert UCoS from Apr2026

Work arrangement

Full-time

Number of Assignments

1

Details

Mission and objectives

UNDRR (formerly UNISDR) is the United Nations focal point for disaster risk reduction. UNDRR oversees the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supporting countries in its implementation, monitoring and sharing what works in reducing existing risk and preventing the creation of new risk.

Context

UNDRR supports countries in establishing institutional mechanisms, data systems, and capacities to assess climate and disaster risks and their impacts, and to apply this knowledge to inform decision-making and action, in line with the UNDRR Strategic Framework 2026 2030 and its focus on risk knowledge as a catalytic area of work. 

The position is based in Nairobi as part of the UNDRR Regional Office for Africa. The volunteer will be part of the Regional Office team responsible in providing technical assistance to governments and stakeholders to strengthen disaster data collection, analysis, and use, including for monitoring and reporting on progress in implementing the Sendai Framework. 

A recent evaluation of the Sendai Framework Monitoring system highlights limitations in data availability and capacity to collect data. This also assumes significance in the light of recent historic decisions on loss and damage taken at the last three UNFCCC COPs, reinforced the need for more comprehensive data on human, environmental and economic impacts to inform programmes, policies and technical assistance. 

Within this context, UNDRR is implementing its SFM acceleration strategy and rolling-out DELTA Resilience as a core country-owned solution for data on hazardous events and disaster losses and damages. The UNV will contribute directly to the rollout of DELTA Resilience in his/her region of assignment, and to strengthening national disaster-related data systems and risk knowledge generation and use.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Regional Risk Knowledge/Data officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Disaster Data Expert will: 

• Support countries in data ecosystem maturity and data readiness and quality self-assessment to understand context-specific needs and best suited approaches and solutions to strengthen data governance and disaster-related data applications. 
• Identify technical assistance needs of governments in the region to understand benefits, opportunities and needs to establish, enhance or upgrade national disaster tracking systems enabled by DELTA Resilience. 
• Support countries through regional and/or national capacity development efforts (as required) to collect and analyze data through DELTA Resilience and accelerate reporting on the Sendai Framework Monitor (SFM), including relevant SDG indicators. 
• Provide technical assistance to countries for strengthening and connecting existing data systems, legacy data migration and integration, and/or enhancement of interoperability with DELTA Resilience. 
• Liaise with National Statistical Offices (NSOs) for integration and streaming disaster-related statistics with the national statistics ecosystem, including supporting reporting roles. 
• Assist Sendai Framework monitoring focal points to identify, clean and maintain appropriate primary and secondary data sources for reporting on the Sendai Framework Monitor. 
• Assist data users in understanding the multiple applications of data and the specific requirements, in terms of format, type of data, disaggregation per variables, latency and quality need to enable different use-cases/applications. 
• Support data producers and users to identify, analyze, and interpret trends or patterns through simple data visualizations, using basic statistical methods and/or machine learning techniques, to identify relevant features and variables in structured and unstructured sources of information and data. 
• Support government counterparts and UN country teams in producing analytical reports, enhancing dashboards, producing infographics and translating data into meaningful insights.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: 

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); 
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. 
• Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. 
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. 
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

7 years

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

7 years

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Desirable 

French, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Master's degree in Data science, computer science, data analytics, economics, statistics, information management, GIS-analysis, public administration, management or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Competencies and values

• Professionalism 
• Integrity 
• Teamwork 
• Commitment to continuous learning 
• Planning and organizing 
• Communication 
• Flexibility 
• Commitment towards principles of voluntary engagement

Skills and experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in data analysis, applied analytics and statistics, information management, project management, stakeholder management, capacity development, or related area is required. 
• Experience with self-service analytics and data visualization applications is desirable. 
• Experience in coordinating and facilitating capacity development efforts is desirable. 
• Experience in tools for geospatial data management is highly desirable. 
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development. 
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. 
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) and e-mail/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment is required. 
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. 
• Have affinity with or interest in disaster risk reduction, climate action and/or resilience building volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Area(s) of expertise

Crisis and emergency response, Information technology, Economics and finance

Driving license

-

Other information

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

Kenya is a unique country, and Kenya is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness and more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential. Link to the entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator Access to UNV E-Campus for training and learning, including access to LinkedIn learning. Further entitlements and information available at: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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