Overview
The Data Specialist will strengthen CAFI’s data architecture and governance to ensure robust analytical systems, data quality, and traceability, transforming programme data into strategic insights for portfolio performance, risk management, and donor accountability.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage, strengthen, and develop analytical systems for monitoring CAFI’s multi-country portfolio.
- Structure and ensure quality assurance of CAFI programme datasets.
- 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.
- Support data consolidation and preparation of datasets for CAFI portfolio reporting.
- Strengthen results-based management and evidence-based decision-making.
- Monitor 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.
- Manage, strengthen, and develop interactive dashboards and data visualization tools.
- 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 to integrate their needs in data analytics and related dashboards.
- Ensure consistency between dashboard indicators and CAFI monitoring and reporting frameworks.
- 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 and other projects.
- 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.
- Ensure the reliability and traceability of CAFI programme data.
- Establish data quality assurance and data validation procedures.
- 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.
- 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.
Required 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Qualifications
- 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.
