Data Visualization Intern , Multiple positions

Global Pulse is a flagship innovation initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General on big data. Its vision is a future in which big data and AI are harnessed and used responsibly as a public good. Its mission is to accelerate discovery, development and scaled adoption of data innovation for sustainable development and humanitarian action. To this end, Global Pulse will work to promote awareness of the opportunities Big Data presents for sustainable development and humanitarian action, forge public-private data sharing partnerships, generate high-impact analytical tools and approaches through its network of Pulse Labs, and drive broad adoption of useful innovations across the UN System.

Global Pulse implements data innovation programs through its Pulse Labs to provide UN and development partners with access to the data, tools and expertise required to discover new uses of big data and AI for development. Global Pulse develops policies, toolkits, applications and platforms to improve data-driven decision-making and support the evaluation of promising solutions.

Global Pulse is recruiting a Data Visualization Intern to work in the New York office to support its research agenda. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team and benefit from rich interactions with experts in different fields, including international development, humanitarian aid, data science, data visualisation, technology and communications.

The Data Visualisation Intern will work under the supervision of the Data Visualization and Design Specialist and the Data and Security Engineer to assist with the design and development of a system management interface, that will help track user activity on one of Global Pulse’s main products: Qatalog—a tool that helps analysts extract, analyze, and visualize data from social media feeds and public radio broadcasts. It uses speech recognition technology developed by Global Pulse that 1) ‘listens’ to public radio broadcasts, and 2) automates the detection of words spoken during talk shows. It also pulls public Facebook posts, as well as Twitter streams, building on private sector partnerships established by UN Global Pulse. The Intern will mainly focus on creating interactive data visualizations that will be integrated to a main dashboard, and may be asked to produce other infographics in collaboration with partners from the UN system, the private sector and academia. The Data Visualization Intern will also interact with the data science teams across the Pulse Lab Network—including the labs in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Kampala, Uganda.

The intern(s) will execute the following duties:

• Assist in the design and implementation of information visualizations for the management dashboard;
• Support the communications team in producing relevant communication materials including infographics;
• Provide support in software development including analysis of Big Data and contribution to other data processing pipelines;
• Assist in reviewing and vetting various data sets and real-time information resources that could be relevant to Qatalog.

Education: 

Applicants must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD program (or equivalent) or have graduated from with a degree within three months prior to the application date of the internship. The candidate will preferably be enrolled in a degree programme in Data Visualization, Visual Analytics, Information Science, Computer Science, Interaction Design, Information Design, Engineering, or a related subject.

Experience

• Knowledge of Interactive data visualization development and information design such as working knowledge of D3.js, Vega-Lite, C3.js, Crossfilter/dc.js, Leaflet.js, Processing.js, CartoDB or a similar package is an asset;
• Knowledge of research design and investigation methods (from developing a hypothesis, gathering necessary resources and conducting background research, testing and documentation of findings) is an asset;
• Data analysis skills, particularly text processing and sentiment analysis and/or clustering and classification techniques (k-means, k-nearest neighbors, SVM, SVD, etc.) are desirable;
• Knowledge of SQL, Python and/or R languages is highly desirable;
• Multidisciplinary experience in projects that integrate ICTs and social sciences is an asset.

Language

Intermediate knowledge in English (written and oral) is required

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC)

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.

The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies.

The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.