Use Case Consultants at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

• The consultants will generate a series of output components that will be delivered in installments and then consolidated into a comprehensive report. An indicative list of deliverables and table of contents for the final report is as follows. This is subject to further revision and refinement based on the consultation process itself:

Objective:

• To outline the approach for identifying relevant stakeholders across sectors and geographies that should be interviewed, included in regional workshops or surveyed if necessary.

Scope:

• Organize a kick-off meeting with the Digital Transformation Programme team members.
• Design stakeholder engagement process.
• Agree to overall project approach.

Deliverables:

• Output 1: A report documenting the outcomes of these meetings including approach for stakeholder engagement.

Objective:
User Needs Assessment:

• To gain insights into the specific needs and requirements of various stakeholder groups.

Scope:

• Conduct surveys, interviews, or focus group discussions with representative stakeholders.
• Analyze the feedback to determine common themes and unique requirements.

Deliverables:

• Output 2: A summarized list of identified and prioritized user needs and requirements categorized per stakeholder group. This will include visual aids, such as charts or graphs, to provide clarity on the priorities and commonalities among stakeholders.

Objective:
Identification of WESR Priority Use Cases:

• To identify and detail 3-5 primary use cases for the WESR platform for each stakeholder group.

Scope:

• Engage with stakeholders to determine how they would primarily utilize the WESR platform.
• Establish user personas to better understand the context in which the platform would be employed.

Deliverables:

• Output 3: A report and presentation enumerating 3-5 priority use cases per stakeholder group. For each use case, provide a clear specification of the user (personas) context, data requirements, analysis needs, broad functionalities, and the expected level of user engagement with the platform. The report will also demonstrate how different use cases could potentially support a range of stakeholder groups.

Objective:
Recommendations for Next Steps in Developing WESR:

• Based on the user needs assessment, value proposition for WESR and identified use cases, this report will provide a high-level recommended approach for building out the initial phase of WESR in alignment with the previously developed WESR Strategy and Roadmap.

Scope:

• Determine the optimal order of implementation for the prioritized use cases including requirements for the WESR platform.
• Include a recommended approach to continuously gather and integrate user feedback into the platform's evolution.
• Propose a governance model that ensures transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness.

Deliverables:

• Output 4: A report and presentation that provides a high-level plan for sequencing and outlining requirements for initial use cases to form the foundation of WESR. This report includes an assessment of the value proposition that WESR can deliver including what stakeholder groups should be prioritized and what this means for the broader architecture of WESR. The report also includes a user-feedback process outline that ensures consistent engagement with stakeholders and the refinement of the platform based on their input as well as a proposed governance model, with clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and oversight mechanisms.

Work Location
Remote
Expected duration
6 months
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.
• The World Environment Situation Room (WESR) seeks to become a user-centric environmental data platform, grounded in the specific requirements and desires of its diverse stakeholders. A detailed co-design methodology has been established and needs to be expertly implemented to achieve the project's goals.
• Preliminary Research & Analysis: An analysis of environmental data platforms has been conducted by UNEP that provides context on current market offerings. This not only aids in understanding potential requirements but also reveals gaps in the environmental data platform ecosystem. This should be used as an input into this research to identify key gaps and evaluate where robust platforms already exist and where UNEP can add the most value. UNEP should also identify why previous iterations of a global environmental data platform have not met with success including Infoterra, UNEP.net, UNEP Live, and WESR Proof of Concept.
• Stakeholder Engagement Design: The user needs assessment will identify stakeholder representatives, using a combination of targeted and stratified sampling, to ensure a balanced cross-section of views. Stratified sampling will divide a heterogeneous population of stakeholders into distinct subgroups or "strata" based on a key characteristic(s) such as job function, tenure, or location. Within each stratum, stakeholders are randomly selected to ensure fair representation. This method ensures each subgroup is adequately represented in the overall sample, capturing more accurate and diverse feedback. Each engagement tool (surveys, interviews, focus groups) will be tailored to different stakeholder groups in order to capture their specific needs and user requirements. The consultants will try to understand which data and analytics are most needed for specific use cases. This process, in particular, should be a collaborative effort with the UNEP Digital Transformation Programme. Having a clear understanding of the number of interviews across geographies and sectors, and how the regional workshops can be organized and conducted will be essential for the success of this project. A kick-off meeting bringing the essential team members together is highly suggested.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Lead regional workshops in four regions (Latin America, Africa, Asia-Pacific, West Asia) in collaboration with UNEP regional offices. Support regional workshops in two regions (Europe, North America) in collaboration with UNEP regional coordinator for Digital Transformation. Using a mix of methods, data will be aggregated, ensuring anonymity where required. Quantitative and qualitative analysis methods will be employed, ensuring data integrity and accuracy.
• Synthesis, Use-case Development & Defining Value Proposition: This stage involves combining insights, distinguishing unique requirements for each group, and determine where the maximum number of needs overlap. Ideally, WESR use cases will be identified where they support the maximum number of user groups. Specific personas will also be identified.
• Feedback and Iteration: A feedback loop is essential. Proposed use-cases and the value proposition will be shared, refined, and validated with selected stakeholders.
• Final definition of end user requirements: Based on this process, a final report will be prepared which outlines the priority use cases and the related user requirements. This includes:
• an analysis on the regional and global ecosystem of environmental data and related platforms with options for establishing the high-level WESR value proposition;
• a user needs assessment that identifies and prioritizes user needs and requirements per stakeholder group;
• identification of 3-5 WESR priority use cases per stakeholder group, including specification of the user (personas) context and user requirements (data, analysis, broad functionalities, level of user engagement with the platform)
• recommendations for a phased implementation plan for UNEP, user-feedback process and governance model.

This post is remotely located with minimal travel and reports to the Data Specialist.
Qualifications/special Skills

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Computer Sciences, Environmental Management, Biological Sciences, Business Administration, Political Science or equivalent field.
• At least 15 years of relevant professional experience working on data platforms and related standards and digital infrastructure (including costing and opportunities) in public or private sectors.
• Experience in geographic information systems and data cubes is considered a strong advantage.
• Experience in public policy relating to digital cooperation and environmental issues is considered an advantage, especially EU and UN policy frameworks.
• Experience with the United Nations, European Commission, or national governments is considered a strong asset
• Demonstrated ability to work with governments/stakeholders on digital transformation, more specifically data and data infrastructure integration
• Demonstrated ability in researching and implementing latest trends in digital transformation/innovation
• Proven ability to engage, partner and develop partnerships in a government/intergovernmental/Public Private Partnership setting on digital cooperation and digital platform initiatives.
• Ability to build strong and sustainable relationships and capability to interact at all levels within the organization, challenging, convincing and managing stakeholders
• Projects a positive image and is ready to take on consultations with a wide range of stakeholders within UNEP
• Ability to effectively drive business, culture, and technology change in a dynamic and complex operating environment
• Strong conceptual thinking to develop new strategies and innovate projects

Languages

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

Closing Date:13 November 2023