Data Specialist [Open to all applicants], Yaounde, Cameroon

Job Title

Data Specialist

Job Description and Responsibilities

Building on and complementing these key tools, CAFI Secretariat is seeking a Data Specialist to serve at regional scope supporting its work on data-driven and performance-based programme management, results monitoring, strategic decision-making and data protection across the CAFI portfolio.

SCOPE OF WORK

This assignment aims to strengthen CAFI's data architecture and governance, ensuring robust analytical systems, data quality and traceability, and transforming programme data into strategic insights to support portfolio performance, risk management, and donor accountability.

1. Ensure Portfolio Data Management and Analytics

• Manage, strengthen and where needed, develop analytical systems supporting monitoring of CAFI's multi-country portfolio, building on and complementing CAFI-PES, CAFI-Connect and the CAFI Metrics Hub.
• Structure and ensure the quality assurance of CAFI programme datasets covering project pipelines, delivery chains, results frameworks, and financial performance.
• Develop automated workflows for portfolio monitoring and reporting.
• Produce analytical insights on programme performance, delivery trends, and implementation bottlenecks.
• Track CAFI programmes against National Investment Frameworks and CAFI Letters of Intent.
• Contribute to portfolio level analysis of indicators at impact, outcome, and output levels.
• Support data consolidation and preparation of datasets for CAFI portfolio reporting, including inputs to the CAFI Annual Report and other institutional reporting processes.

2. Ensure Results Monitoring and Performance Analysis

• Strengthen results-based management and evidence-based decision-making within CAFI.
• Ensure alignment between portfolio analytics and the CAFI Results Framework and monitoring architecture.
• Monitor of programme implementation against annual work plans.
• Develop performance indicators and analytical tools to track programme results.
• Produce analytical briefs and visualizations on programme performance.
• Facilitate the synthesis of results across CAFI outcomes and thematic areas.
• Support the integration of gender markers and other cross-cutting indicators.
• Contribute to CAFI's integration of artificial intelligence into CAFI-PES and CAFI-Connect.

3. Ensure Data Visualization and Digital Monitoring Tools

• Manage, strengthen and where needed develop interactive dashboards and data visualization tools to support portfolio management, building on and complementing CAFI-PES, CAFI-Connect and the CAFI Metrics Hub.
• Develop and maintain PowerBI dashboards and other analytical tools.
• Visualize programme results, financial performance, and delivery chains.
• Collaborate on the development of digital monitoring systems for CAFI programmes.
• Support integration of spatial datasets relevant to land-use change, deforestation monitoring, and ecosystem protection.
• Liaise with CAFI-funded projects, and in particular PES projects, to identify and integrate their needs in data analytics and related dashboards in CAFI-PES and the Metrics-Hub
• Ensure consistency between dashboard indicators and CAFI monitoring and reporting frameworks.

4. Ensure risk monitoring, portfolio integrity and data protection

• Support the implementation of CAFI's risk management and data protection strategy.
• Support the development and maintenance of CAFI's Risk Dashboard in CAFI-Connect
• Produce analytical summaries on risk trends and mitigation measures
• Contribute to the identification of programme implementation risks and bottlenecks.
• Develop automated triggers and alerts to anticipate risks of non-performance
• Flag risks of - or actual non-performance across CAFI PES projects as well as other projects, and liaise with CAFI programming officers and partners to address them
• Support integration of risk monitoring into portfolio management processes
• Ensure the implementation of CAFI's data protection strategy across CAFI portfolio
• Analyze and flag suspicious behaviour using data from the CAFI-PES database

5. Ensure Data Quality Assurance and Audit Readiness

• Ensure the reliability and traceability of CAFI programme data.
• Establish data quality assurance and data validation procedures ensuring reliability and traceability.
• Develop documentation and data management protocols.
• Prepare datasets and documentation required for evaluations, audits, and donor reporting.
• Facilitate verification of programme results and data consistency across reporting sources.
• Support data validation processes related to project reporting and portfolio monitoring.

6. Facilitate Knowledge Management and Strategic Reporting

• Support production of knowledge products and strategic reporting materials.
• Prepare analytical briefs and background notes for the CAFI Secretariat and Executive Board.
• Support the preparation of CAFI results reports and analytical summaries.
• Contribute to the synthesis of lessons learned from programme evaluations.
• Support the scientific monitoring and analysis of PES programming.
• Contribute to knowledge management and dissemination of analytical insights.
• Generate analytical inputs for CAFI institutional reporting and strategic portfolio reviews

COMPETENCIES

Core competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

• Business Management - Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.
• Digital - Digital product management: Ability to design and lead digital product development including testing, ongoing product iteration, product strategy and delivery.
• Business Direction & Strategy - System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
• Business Management - Monitoring and Evaluation: Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies,systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OF THE SUCCESSFUL IPSA

Min. Academic Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Data Science, Environmental Science, Economics or Development Economics, Natural Resource Management or related area is required. Or A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant Work experience

Minimum 5 years (with Master's degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor's degree) of professional experience in Monitoring & Evaluation, performance-based payment mechanisms, participatory natural resource management, environmental protection, or related fields.

Required skills and competencies

• Demonstrated ability to use current software (ArcGIS, QGIS, Google earth engine, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint,).
• Demonstrated proficiency in using PowerBI.
• Experience working with monitoring systems, portfolio dashboards, or digital monitoring tools.
• Proven experience in data management and analysis for portfolio monitoring, performance-based financing, or results-based management.

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Previous experience working with the UN and/or in a developing country is desirable.
• Experience with the environmental conservation, forest management and/or sustainable agriculture programs is an advantage.
• Experience in handling Payments for Environmental Services (PES) and related PES planning and management tools
• Advanced analytical training or coursework in data analytics and artificial intelligence is an advantage.

Required Language(s) (at working level)

Fluency in French is required. Working knowledge of English is desired.