The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is recruiting an Associate Data Scientist at P-2 level for the Secretariat of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) in Vienna, Austria. The role explores and prepares data sources, builds data science products using methods such as machine learning, predictive analytics and natural language processing, and designs visualizations for the Board and partners. It requires a Master's degree (or a bachelor's with qualifying experience) and at least two years of experience in data analytics or data science, and applications close on 19 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the full job opening and set out every duty, requirement and condition below.
Job Opening at a Glance
💼 Position: Associate Data Scientist, P2
🔢 Job Opening ID: 285621
🎖️ Category and level: P-2
📋 Recruitment type: Position Specific
🏛️ Department/Office: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
📍 Duty station: Vienna, Austria
📝 Initial appointment: one year, extension subject to the availability of funds
Organizational Setting and Reporting
The position is located in the Office of the Secretary (OS), Secretariat of the International Narcotics Control Board (SINCB), Division for Treaty Affairs (DTA), UNODC, in Vienna. The incumbent reports to the manager of the GRIDS Programme. The INCB Secretariat is an administrative entity of UNODC that reports directly to the Board on substantive matters. The UNODC website is listed in the Links section below.
Finding and Preparing Data Sources
🔎 Assist in the exploration, identification and acquisition of data sources to determine their suitability for decision making and for advancing the organization's goals
🧹 Enable broader use of data by applying quality methods to structure, clean, format, parse and standardize it for analytical use
🗄️ Acquire and clean data from primary or secondary sources and maintain databases/data systems
⚙️ Implement databases, data collection systems, data analytics and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality
Building Data Science Products
🧠 Contribute to the design and development of data science products that reveal insights not detectable without advanced analytical methods, such as:
🤖 Artificial intelligence and machine learning
📈 Predictive analytics
⛏️ Data and text mining
🗣️ Natural language processing
📐 Statistics, relevant algorithms and computational approaches
Trends, Visualization and Reporting
📊 Identify, analyze and interpret trends or patterns using basic machine learning techniques and statistical methods to find relevant features and variables in structured data, and develop corporate visualization solutions
📌 Track and report on progress of department-specific data initiatives
🖼️ Contribute to customized visualization and presentation products for the Board, clients, management and international partners, including briefings, reports, documentation to oversight bodies, interactive interfaces and publication-quality outputs
🧑🏫 Promote the use of data science solutions through client training (staff, internal and external partners) and products, tools and processes that extend the capabilities of client offices
📋 Perform other work-related duties as required
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Competency: Professionalism
🔄 Knowledge of the data analysis life cycle, from ingest and wrangling to analysis and visualization
🧮 Knowledge of statistical and computational methods such as clustering, classification, correlation, dimension reduction, forecasting, machine learning, outlier detection and regression
🎯 Understanding of the impact of data-driven and evidence-based decisions on the organization
🏅 Pride in work and achievements, professional competence and mastery of subject matter, meeting commitments and deadlines, persistence with difficult problems and calm in stressful situations
⚖️ Responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work
Competency: Teamwork
🤝 Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
💡 Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise, and is willing to learn from others
👥 Places team agenda before personal agenda
✅ Supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when they do not fully reflect own position
🏆 Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings
Competency: Technological Awareness
💻 Keeps abreast of available technology
🔧 Understands the applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office
🚀 Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks and shows willingness to learn new technology
Education Requirements
🎓 An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in data science, computer science, analytics, mathematics, statistics, engineering, information management or a related discipline is required.
📘 A first-level university degree with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
📝 A first-level university degree and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the YPP, NCRE or G to P examination.
Required Work Experience
🛠️ A minimum of two years of work experience in data analytics, data science, business intelligence, statistical analysis, developing machine learning algorithms (AZURE ML, Python or similar) or related areas, or the successful completion of the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).
Desirable Experience
🧭 Using data to support decision-making, strategic planning, performance monitoring, execution and reporting
📉 Self-service analytics, dashboard development and reporting applications (MS PowerBI, Qlik, Tableau or similar), including customized visualization and presentation products
🔗 Acquiring, cleaning, transforming, validating and managing data from multiple sources, and implementing databases, data collection systems or data pipelines with SQL, Python, R or similar
📌 Tracking, monitoring and reporting on data initiatives, projects and performance indicators
👮 Developing and delivering technology analytics or data science training to law and regulatory enforcement officers, including officials from developing countries
🇺🇳 Experience with the United Nations system or a similar international organization
Language Requirements
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required at UN Level II in reading, writing, listening and speaking, according to the UN Language Framework (details on the UN languages website, listed in the Links section below).
Assessment Method
📝 Evaluation of qualified candidates may include assessment exercises and a competency-based interview.
Funding, Duration and Mobility
💶 The position is funded from extra budgetary resources; filling it is subject to funding availability.
⏳ The initial appointment is for one year, and extension depends on the availability of funds.
🔀 Staff are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and are expected to move periodically to new functions in line with established rules.
🏡 Vienna is classified in the H category (family duty station).
Diversity and Gender Balance
The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities, and reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided on request. The UN Secretariat is committed to 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
United Nations Considerations
🧭 Under article 101, paragraph 3, of the UN Charter, the paramount consideration is securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to recruiting on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
🚫 Candidates who have committed violations of international human rights or humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual harassment, or crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered.
🚭 The UN Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
🔀 Professional staff up to D-2 level are normally required to move periodically between duty stations under ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility; this applies to all position specific job openings.
📑 External candidates recruited under ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed-term appointment are subject to an initial probationary period of one year.
How to Apply Through Inspira
🖥️ Follow all instructions in the online recruitment platform inspira, and refer to the Applicant Guide under "Manuals" in the "Help" tile of the inspira homepage.
🧾 Provide complete and accurate information on your personal profile and qualifications; no changes can be made to applications once submitted.
🔍 Candidates under serious consideration will be subject to reference checks.
🕚 Job openings on the Careers Portal are removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the UNODC Associate Data Scientist position based?
The post is in Vienna, Austria, in the Office of the Secretary of the INCB Secretariat, Division for Treaty Affairs, UNODC. Vienna is a family duty station (H category).
What does the Associate Data Scientist do?
The role identifies and prepares data sources, builds data science products using AI, machine learning, predictive analytics, text mining and NLP, and develops visualizations and reports for the Board and partners. It also includes client training on data science solutions.
What education is required?
A Master's degree or equivalent in data science, computer science, analytics, mathematics, statistics, engineering, information management or a related field is required. A bachelor's degree with qualifying experience may be accepted instead.
How much experience do I need?
At least two years in data analytics, data science, business intelligence, statistical analysis or machine learning development (AZURE ML, Python or similar). Passing the YPP, NCRE or G to P examination can replace this requirement.
Which tools are useful for this role?
Desirable tools include MS PowerBI, Qlik or Tableau for dashboards, and SQL, Python or R for data pipelines and databases. AZURE ML and Python are named for machine learning work.
What language is required?
English is required at UN Level II in reading, writing, listening and speaking. French is the other working language of the UN Secretariat.
How long is the appointment?
The initial appointment is for one year. Because the post is funded from extra budgetary resources, extension depends on the availability of funds.
What does the selection process include?
Evaluation may include assessment exercises and a competency-based interview. Candidates under serious consideration are subject to reference checks.
Deadline
⏳ 19 November 2026
Links
🔗 Job opening and application (UN Careers): https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/285621?language=en
🏛️ UNODC website: https://www.unodc.org
🗣️ UN Language Framework: https://languages.un.org
