Data Architect at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Result of Service

• The primary objective of this role is to translate UNEP's organizational requirements into a comprehensive and forward-looking reference data architecture tailored specifically for the backend of the World Environment Situation Room (WESR). The data architect will craft a blueprint that outlines the architectural layers, data, interfaces, and pipelines necessary to enhance the functionality and efficiency of WESR's backend data architecture.
• The Data Architect’s role is pivotal in shaping WESR's backend reference data architecture to accommodate the unique demands of the federated data platform. This entails understanding the intricacies of WESR's operations and anticipating its future needs. The ultimate aim is to establish a robust foundation that supports the seamless integration of environmental data, facilitates data-driven decision-making, and aligns with UNEP's overarching data management strategy.
• Building on existing assessments, the consultant will work on developing a blueprint for the new World Environment Situation Room (WESR) data platform, including data interfaces, stores, pipelines, and knowledge graph/base.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), established in 1972, is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP's Medium-Term Strategy 2022-2025 sets an ambitious course to harness data and digital technologies and innovations to better serve Member States and partners in their efforts to tackle the triple planetary crises of climate change, nature loss, and pollution. Through a process of scanning, testing, and scaling relevant digital technologies, UNEP aims to become an increasingly data-driven, agile, transparent, and effective organization.
• Digital technologies are a key enabler for UNEP that provide unprecedented opportunities to: (i) support organizational change processes towards enhanced agility, results-orientation and collaborations; (ii) to identify new and innovative solutions to the most pressing climate, nature, and pollution challenges; (iii) to strengthen our capacities to effectively engage and collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders from government, the private sector and civil society: (iv) enhance accountability, results-orientation, and inclusiveness of development programs, empowering citizens by establishing by direct feedback loops. UNEP's digital transformation vision focuses on developing the organization's capability to leverage existing, emerging, and future data and digital technologies and the opportunities they offer to profoundly improve the way UNEP creates and delivers value and benefits for those we serve. The vision is based on an open innovation approach enabling the effective co-design of innovative solutions with strategic partners, civil society and citizens.
• This post is remotely located with minimal travel to Nairobi and reports to the Head, World Environment Situation Room (WESR).
• Building on existing assessments, the consultant will work on developing a blueprint for the new World Environment Situation Room (WESR) data platform, including data interfaces, stores, pipelines, and knowledge graph/base.

The selected consultant shall carry out the following activities:

• WESR-specific Architectural Specifications: Drawing insights from the existing assessment, the data architect will develop precise specifications needed for the redesign of WESR platform's backend data architecture. These specifications will reflect WESR's distinct characteristics and ensure that the architecture seamlessly integrates with the platform's objectives.
• Identification of Relevant Environmental Data: In line with WESR's mandate, the data architect will identify diverse environmental data sources that align with the platform's focus. This involves assessing existing and potential data sources that contribute to WESR's data ecosystem.
• Data Storage, Transport, and Ingestion Blueprint: The architect will design an effective data repository for WESR's backend that optimizes data storage, transport, and ingestion. This blueprint will ensure that WESR can effectively manage and utilize environmental data. This will include exploring data fabric and mesh architectures to determine best-fit.
• Federated Data Query Module Design: The architect will conceptualize and design a federated data query module tailored for WESR's backend. This module will empower WESR users to efficiently access and retrieve relevant environmental data.
• Holistic Data Management Solutions for WESR: Within the context of WESR, the architect will formulate solutions for metadata management, data security, permissions control, and governance management. These solutions will align with WESR's specific requirements and data-driven goals. The data architect will conceptualize and design a federated data management system tailored for WESR's backend. This will include data lineage and provenance module, data quality assurance module and auditing and history module.
• Creation of a Semantic Layer: The data architect will design an effective semantic layer as an independent layer between the raw environmental data and various WESR use cases, including tools enabling data visualization, BI or AI/ML. The semantic layer will contain ontologies, terminologies and other harmonization technologies to ensure that every piece of data used in downstream applications has a consistent meaning. This may also include creating knowledge graphs that will support data exploration in large, federated, and complex data systems.
• Designing of Data Pipeline: To enable flow of data from data sources to data applications within the context of WESR, the data architect will formulate solutions for data pipelines. These solutions will align with WESR's specific requirements and data-driven goals as well as the defined use-cases.
• Architectural Patterns for WESR Use-Cases: Based on three initial use cases relevant to WESR's operations, the data architect will develop architectural patterns. These patterns will provide WESR with standardized approaches to handling data and processes, optimizing efficiency and supporting diverse use cases.
• Coordination with WESR and UNEP's Data Management Strategies: The architect will collaborate closely with the WESR team and UNEP's Digital Transformation teams to ensure that the backend reference data architecture aligns seamlessly with the platform's operational strategies and the broader UNEP data ecosystem.

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Computer Sciences, Information Technology or equivalent field is required
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in managing end-to-end data platform architecture, from designing the blueprint architecture, developing the application and/or selecting the platform, to testing and implementing the proposed solution is required
• Proven advanced experience in data systems development, including data system development life cycle, project management approaches and requirements, design, and testing techniques are required.
• Experience in designing an architecture that involves multiple diverse data sources in a federated environment e.g. data mesh is an advantage.
• Experience in designing knowledge graphs or semantic knowledge bases and preparing data pipelines for AI/ML applications is an advantage.
• Experience in geographic information systems and working with environmental data systems is considered a strong advantage.
• Experience with the United Nations, European Commission, or national governments is considered a strong asset.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this assignment, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.