Associate Data Scientist, DMD/TMI (Temporary)

The International Trade Centre (ITC) mandate is: "Transforming trade. Changing lives." By enabling trade-led economic development, especially in the Global South, ITC enables small businesses to reach their potential and strengthens ecosystems for long-term impact. The Trade and Market Intelligence (TMI) section is part of ITC’s Division of Market Development (DMD). TMI develops, maintains and continuously improves a set of web-based market analysis tools to make trade and market information more accessible. These tools help users, particularly MSMEs in developing countries, identify market opportunities and make evidence-based business decisions. Trade Map is one of TMI’s core market analysis tools. It provides comprehensive and up-to-date trade data in a user-friendly and highly flexible way. The tool relies on high-quality, timely and well-structured trade data, including trade in goods, trade in services and company-level information. The goal of this job function is to enhance the quality and reliability of Trade Map data by improving the efficiency and robustness of data production processes. The role supports the application of advanced data science methods to improve the collection, processing, validation and integration of trade data into Trade Map.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Market Analyst and the general guidance of the Section Chief, and in close collaboration with an Associate Market Analyst and a Statistician, the Associate Data Scientist will be responsible for the following duties:

• Assists in the exploration, identification, and acquisition of data sources to determine their suitability for use in decision making and advancing the goals of the organization. Enables broader use of data sources by applying quality methods to structure, clean, format, parse, and standardize data for analytical use.
• Contributes to the design and develops data science products to improve data collection, processing and integration 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.
• Assists in promoting the use of data science solutions through guidance, documentation and the development of products, tools and processes to strengthen internal capabilities.
• Guides, trains and supervises junior consultants involved in the function.

• Professionalism: Knowledge of SAS (Statistical Analysis System) is mandatory. Knowledge of other Science tools packages such as Python and R is desirable. Knowledge of data collection and web acquisition techniques such as APIs querying and Web scraping. Knowledge of agentic systems such as prompt engineering, schema extraction or document intelligence. Knowledge of customs trade statistics. Knowledge of trade in services statistics. Knowledge of the data analysis life cycle from ingest and wrangling to analysis and visualization to present findings. Knowledge of statistical and computational methods, such as clustering, classification, correlation, dimension reduction, forecasting, machine learning, detecting outliers, and regression. Takes pride in the work for the organization and understands the impact that can be brought into the organization by allowing data-driven and evidence-based decisions. 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 work.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

A first-level university degree in data science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, or any related field that includes intensified data analysis in the curriculum. An advanced degree in the above subjects may be accepted in lieu of the work experience requirement.

A minimum of two years of relevant experience (An advanced degree in the above subjects may be accepted in lieu of the work experience requirement) in data science, data analytics, applied mathematics, information management or related area is required. Experience in customs trade statistics, trade in services statistics is desirable. Experience in data science tools and packages such as Python, R or SAS is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Spanish is required.

Assessment will be undertaken through a comparative analysis of the applications. The assessment may also include a competency-based interview and/or other appropriate evaluation mechanisms.