Mission and objectivesUNDP is the UNโs global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges. In Bhutan, over last 50 years, UNDP has been supporting the Royal Government to attain its national priorities. In 2024, UNDP started implementation of the Country Programme Document 2024-2028, aligning to the countryโs 13th Five Year Plan (13th FYP).
ContextUNDP is the UNโs global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges. In Bhutan, over last 50 years, UNDP has been supporting the Royal Government to attain its national priorities. In 2024, UNDP started implementation of the Country Programme Document 2024-2028, aligning to the countryโs 13th Five Year Plan (13th FYP). In 2023, Bhutan graduated from the UN list of Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Over the past decades, the country has made remarkable progress in reducing income and multidimensional poverty, aligned with its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite the impressive progress, the country is grappling with critical socio-economic challenges such as large-scale emigration of the productive and skilled labor force, youth unemployment, declining fertility rate, increasing trade deficit, and shrinking fiscal space. These challenges take place amidst a slow post-pandemic economic recovery and against the broader backdrop of structural challenges, such as limited economic diversification, a still-nascent private sector, absence of robust regulatory and institutional framework. Bhutanโs 13th FYP (2024-2029) sets out the ambitious target of doubling the size of the countryโs economy within the next five years and then doubling it again over the subsequent five year, reaching USD 10 billion by 2034, a target year that Bhutan plans to reach the high-income status. To achieve this, Bhutan must maintain a nominal GDP growth rate of approximately 11.9% annually for the next 12 years. If development plans uphold as projected, the GNI per capita would experience an annual increase of 11% over the same period, propelling Bhutan into the ranks of upper-middle-income Southeast Asian countries. Recognizing the challenges and potential opportunities in Bhutanโs 21st-century economy, the Royal Government of Bhutan aims to accelerate and foster a robust economic recovery and growth. It is in this context that the Royal Government of Bhutan requested UNDPโs policy advisory assistance to support the Prime Ministerโs Office in a high-level consultation and the subsequent development of a development roadmap for the realization for the governmentโs development vision as outlined above. At the core of UNDPโs policy support and high-level consultation is the institutionalization of a Bhutan Innovation Lab, that will execute three key functions of carrying out on-demand policy analysis and provide advisory services, undertake targeted policy analysis and experimentation through people centered and innovative design approaches and oversight of the implementation of the visioning exercise roadmap and strategies to accelerate the implementation of the 13th FYP and achieve the target of developed economy by 2034. To support this initiative, UNDP seeks to recruit a Data Scientist. The Data Scientist will be instrumental in driving the labโs mission by conducting advanced data analysis, providing data-driven insights for on-demand policy advisory services, and supporting targeted policy experimentation.
Task DescriptionUnder the overall guidance of the Director, Office of the Prime Minister, and supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative at UNDP CO (Country Office), the Data Scientist will apply data-driven approaches to inform and enhance the policy development and analytical process for the three critical areas identified within the BOLD (Bureau for Organizational and Leadership Development) roadmap. They will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including policy designers, researchers, technologists, and policymakers, to analyze and interpret complex data sets, identify trends, and provide actionable insights. The focus will be on using data analytics to create evidence-based, responsive, and adaptive policy solutions that are inclusive and aligned with national priorities. Duties and Responsibilities: Data Analysis and Insight Generation: โข Analyze large datasets (Qualitative and Quantitative data) from various sources to identify trends, patterns, and insights relevant to policy challenges. โข Develop and deploy statistical models, machine learning algorithms, and predictive analytics to forecast outcomes and assess policy impacts. โข Perform exploratory data analysis to guide to design policy and solution experimentation for deriving evidence-based policy recommendations. Data-Driven Policy Development and Analysis: โข Collaborate with stakeholders to translate data findings into actionable policy recommendations. โข Design data-driven experiments to test policy interventions and validate their effectiveness through rigorous statistical analysis. โข Develop visualizations, and reports to communicate complex data insights to policymakers, stakeholders, and the public. Ensure Effective Collaboration: โข Work closely with cross-functional teams, including policy experts, economists, and technologists, to integrate data science into the policy innovation process. โข Provide training and capacity-building sessions to enhance data literacy and analytical skills among lab members and policymakers. Manage Tool and Technology Development: โข Develop and maintain tools, algorithms, and models that support real-time data analysis and decision-making within the policy innovation lab. โข Introduce emerging data science tools, technologies, and methodologies, and assess their applicability to the labโs work. Ensure Data Ethics and Social Impact: โข Ensure that all data analysis and algorithms are developed with a strong ethical foundation, addressing issues of bias, fairness, and transparency. โข Evaluate the social impact of data-driven policies, ensuring that they promote equity and do not disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Lead Innovation and Research: โข Lead or contribute to research projects that explore innovative uses of data in public policy, including the application of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and machine learning. Facilitate Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: โข Engage with government agencies, NGOs, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to understand their data needs and challenges. โข Engage in conferences, workshops, and public forums, sharing insights on data-driven policy innovation and the labโs work. โข The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization Results/expected outputs: As an active UNDP team member and core technical contributor to the Bhutan Innovation Lab, the Data Scientist is expected to provide timely, data-driven, and high-quality support to the Lab, the Prime Ministerโs Office, and UNDP Bhutan, including: 1. Advanced Data Analytics and Insight Generation Delivery of predictive analytics, trend identification, and exploratory data insights using statistical and machine learning techniques to inform Lab-led policy experimentation and the 13th FYP implementation roadmap. 2. Design of Data-Driven Policy Prototypes Contribution to the design and testing of experimental policy interventions by embedding data science in problem diagnostics, solution testing, and impact evaluation. 3. Evidence-Based Policy Advisory and Visualization Development of policy briefs and visual storytelling products that translate complex data findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers and national stakeholders. 4. Innovation Toolkits and Model Deployment Development and deployment of analytical tools, algorithms, and dashboard systems to support real-time monitoring and decision-making across Lab priority areas. 5. Capacity Building and Data Literacy Delivery of hands-on training and mentoring sessions for public sector counterparts to improve institutional data literacy, data governance, and use of innovation methods in policymaking. 6. Ethical and Inclusive Data Use Ensure all models and algorithms adhere to ethical standards, reduce bias, and promote equityโparticularly ensuring sensitivity to gender, geography, and socio-economic disparities.
Competencies and valuesโข Accountability โข Adaptability and flexibility โข Commitment and Motivation โข Communication โข Creativity โข Knowledge Sharing โข Ethics and Values โข Integrity โข Planning and Organizing โข Professionalism โข Respect for Diversity โข Self-management โข Technological Awareness โข Working in Teams
Living conditions and remarksBhutan is a lower middle-income country, landlocked between China and India, with an estimated population of 770,0002. Its Human Development Index of 0.666 (2021) places it in the medium human development category, ranked 127 out of 189 countries. Rapid economic growth averaging 7.5 per cent per annum was experienced since the 1980s. Between 2010 and 2021, the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita increased by 22.3 per cent to USD 11,3005. Poverty rates reduced sharply from 23 per cent in 2007 to 8 per cent in 20176, with 12.4 per cent recorded in 2022.7 Significant gains in human development, poverty reduction and living standards have been guided by Bhutanโs gross national happiness philosophy of balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability, inclusive social progress and cultural vibrancy, underpinned by good governance. Despite the positive momentum, socio-economic vulnerability remains, primarily due to difficult geographical conditions, narrow economic base, dependency on limited international market for trade, and increased emigration of productive population in recent years. Bhutan is a relatively stable and peaceful country. The capital, Thimphu, is located at an elevation of 2,334 meters where the summers are warm, and winters are chilly. The Bhutanese currency Ngultrum is pegged with the Indian Rupees and one USD is equivalent to 82 Ngultrums approximately. In the capital, rented flats range from Nu.7000-17,000 (96 to 250 USD) while furnished apartments cost around 300 to 700 USD. Public transportation including taxis are cheap starting from 0.3 USD to 5 USD. Groceries and other food items would amount to around 300 dollars a month. Bhutan provides free basic health and education and as per Article 9 of the Constitution of Bhutan, access to universal basic health services is free to all individuals living in the country. The countryโs national language is Dzongkha but the local populace is comfortable using English which makes day to day conversations easy. Entitlements of International UN Volunteer include Entry Lump Sum Allowance (USD4,000); Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) (USD2,734.93*), Entitlement Travel for UN Volunteer and eligible dependents (Authorized in writing by UNV HQ): Flight tickets (entry on duty & repatriation); Insurance Coverage (Comprehensive health, life, and malicious acts insurance); Annual Leave of 2.5 days per month; Access to UNVโs learning and career development resources; and Exit Lump Sum Allowance (USD225 per month served) payable upon successful completion of the assignment. For further information on the full entitlements, please refer to the Unified Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers (COS) at app.unv.org/explore *VLA will be specified when the Offer of UN Volunteer assignment is issued.