About This Role
This role involves providing technical leadership, coordination, and applied expertise in communications, data visualization, and knowledge dissemination for the Strategy, Analysis and Research Team (SART) within the Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA). The position requires a solid professional understanding of communications and data storytelling, with the ability to work independently, apply conceptual knowledge to practice, innovate approaches, and anchor communications work across multiple initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Lead the conceptualization, design, and delivery of data-driven knowledge products, including infographics, statistical and comparative charts, interactive and static data visualizations, animations, videos, presentations, and digital content
- Translate complex quantitative and qualitative analysis into clear, policy-relevant visual narratives, ensuring data accuracy, analytical rigor, and visual coherence for policymakers, senior management, partners, and public audiences
- Apply advanced data visualization and storytelling techniques and tools, such as trend and temporal analysis, comparative frameworks, geographic mapping, and simplified dashboards, using a range of data visualization, analytics, and design tools, including Power BI, Flourish, and Adobe Creative Suite to enhance accessibility, engagement, and impact across flagship reports and digital platforms
- Develop country profiles, fact sheets, data stories, and multimedia products, integrating concise narratives with high-quality visuals to support dissemination, outreach, and decision-making
- Provide end-to-end communications and visualization support for flagship analytical reports, coordinating inputs across the full production cycle—from research and data preparation to drafting, visual design, publishing, and dissemination
- Serve as the focal point for coordination with publishing, design, and data-visualization vendors, providing technical guidance on visual standards, ensuring data consistency and quality control, and maintaining compliance with UN editorial and branding guidelines
- Manage and regularly update programme websites and microsites, ensuring timely publication of data-driven content, including updates to datasets, indicators, and ratings, and maintaining consistency across digital platforms
- Coordinate communications and data-visualization work across internal teams, regional bureaux, the executive office, and external partners, ensuring alignment of messaging, analytical integrity, and technical standards, applying data visualization and storytelling expertise to support broader organizational priorities
- Support senior-level meetings, consultations, policy dialogues, and high-level events by developing strategic presentations and visual briefing materials that synthesize complex data for informed decision-making
- Provide technical advisory support and guidance to colleagues, consultants, and service providers, contributing to capacity strengthening in data visualization and communications
- Perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation
Requirements
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications, Graphic Design, Data Science, or a related field, or a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience
- Minimum 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level in communications, data visualization, knowledge management, or related fields
- Demonstrated experience supporting analytical and research-based reports and working with multidisciplinary technical teams
- Fluency in English
Nice to have:
- Demonstrated experience and solid professional understanding of communications and data storytelling principles, with the ability to apply knowledge independently
- Strong experience in analytical, drafting, and visual communication
- Demonstrated ability to innovate communication approaches and guide applied conceptual work
- Experience in strong coordination, organizational, and stakeholder management
- Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and meet tight deadlines
- Knowledge of French or another UN language
Important Details
- Tiered Approach: Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants. Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026. Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments. Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers.
About the Company
The Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) leads the work of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting the implementation of the organization’s Strategic Plan with the objective of eradicating poverty and significantly reducing inequalities and exclusion. UNDP provides proactive strategic oversight and support to 46 country offices across the region, responding to demand for operational, policy, and programme advisory services in close partnership with Central Bureaus. Within RBA, the Strategy, Analysis and Research Team (SART) provides strategic analysis and upstream policy advice to senior management and programme countries through intellectual leadership on key development challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa. SART’s core areas of work include data analysis and measurement, strategic policy development, and knowledge production on critical development and economic issues. The team produces flagship reports, data-driven analysis, and strategic initiatives that inform decision-making at national, regional, and global levels.
