Building a more robust data toolkit: A spotlight interview with Nicolas Hinojosa

Nicolas Hinojosa currently works in internal audit at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), helping assess what is working well and where processes and systems can be strengthened.

Seeking to further strengthen his data skills, Nicolas recently completed the UN Data Analytics Professional Certificate programme. In this interview with UNSSC's Yiyi Hu, Nicolas reflects on his learning journey and shares how the programme broadened his data analytics toolkit, strengthened his confidence in tackling data-intensive tasks, and helped him explore new ways of analysing, visualizing, and presenting data in a compelling way.

Yiyi. What motivated you to join the UN Data Analytics Professional Certificate at this stage of your career, and what did you hope to gain from this learning journey with us?

Nicolas: Joining the UN Data Analytics Professional Certificate was mainly driven by how data-intensive organizations around the world have become. In today's world, every organization, regardless of its industry, produces a huge amount of data that we should be able to make sense of and use for different purposes. For me, this was relevant not only from a professional perspective but also as an area of personal development that I was keen to strengthen.

When I looked at the different modules outlined in the programme, they really resonated with what I wanted to achieve: developing a stronger understanding of data and learning how to use it for different purposes. When I joined the programme I already had a foundation in data processing and analysis, but I also wanted to strengthen my ability to put these skills and new knowledge into practical use, particularly when it comes to presenting data in a compelling way. In my daily work, I felt there was an opportunity to explore new options and possibilities for presenting the data that we produce, gather, and analyse.

Yiyi: Considering the three components of this course (self-paced lessons, live sessions, and Case Study/On-the-Job assignment with mentoring), could you share your feedback on each?

Nicolas: I felt that the three components of the programme were very well curated and complemented each other effectively.

The self-paced modules were dynamically designed. Rather than simply presenting plain text to read, they incorporated different elements and formats that made the learning experience engaging and visually appealing.

The live sessions were very insightful, and the facilitators clearly had strong expertise in their respective fields. They provided a valuable opportunity to complement the self-paced learning with direct interaction and exchanges with experts.

The case study assignment was challenging, but I believe that working through complex tasks like this is what helps develop and strengthen your skills over time.

The mentoring sessions were particularly enriching. In my case, I had the opportunity to speak with an expert in data visualization, which was an area I really wanted to explore more deeply. Being able to discuss and contrast my own ideas with someone who had been practicing in the field for a long time was extremely valuable.

Yiyi: Looking back on the course, what part of the learning journey stood out to you most? How did those moments change the way you approach data?

Nicolas: The most challenging and rewarding component was undoubtedly the final assignment. While the task provided a clear objective, it also allowed for a significant degree of flexibility in determining the approach.

The main challenge was interpreting the data, aligning it with the assignment requirements, and developing a coherent line of analysis. Identifying meaningful patterns, connecting the data to the instructions, and ultimately building a well-supported argument to convey the point we wanted to make required considerable critical thinking and problem-solving.

The course also introduced us to a wide range of resources, platforms, and software. These have now become part of the toolbox I can draw on when analysing and working with data. I have started experimenting with some of these tools in my day-to-day tasks and have found them very useful.

The experience has also given me greater confidence when approaching data-intensive tasks. Of course, I do not have all the answers, as this is a constantly evolving field. However, I feel that the certification provides a strong foundation and helps develop the skills needed to approach problems with confidence. That is extremely valuable in today's work environment

Yiyi: During your data visualization and storytelling case study, what was the biggest analytical challenge you faced, and what did you learn from overcoming it?

Nicolas: The most complex aspect of the final assignment was the degree of freedom we were given. The instructions provided clear guidance, but at the same time allowed us to find our own way through the assignment. It can be challenging to find yourself out in the open ocean, so to speak. Which direction do you take? Interpreting the initial data, identifying meaningful insights, and defining a clear direction for the assignment were particularly demanding.

Having a high degree of autonomy also meant that we had to carefully scope and curate our work. It was important to choose a topic that was both achievable and sufficiently challenging to allow for meaningful learning and development. However, the assignment was introduced at the beginning of the programme, which was very helpful because it gave us ample time to reflect on it. We could continue thinking about it outside of the course, gradually refining our ideas and deciding which direction to pursue.

I chose the data visualization and storytelling pathway because it was particularly relevant to my day-to-day work. I felt I already had a foundation in gathering and analysing data, but I wanted to become better at presenting that data in a compelling way. For me, focusing on data visualization was therefore a very practical choice.

Yiyi: Since completing the course, have you applied the skills you gained in your work or within your team? Has the way you do things changed?

Nicolas: I feel that the course provided a solid overview of the fundamental concepts of data analysis, which was valuable to revisit. It helped build a broader understanding of data and how it is used within organizations to support decision-making and drive results

During that process, I showed some of my preliminary work to colleagues I am close to and received valuable feedback. One of the most common comments was how impressed they were by the platform and the visualization tools we were using. This applies not only to Flourish, which I used for my case study, but also to several of the other tools introduced throughout the programme.

I think one of the strengths of the certification is how current and relevant the tools are. We are not only working with more traditional software such as Microsoft Excel or PowerPoint but are also exposed to more advanced data visualization and storytelling platforms like Flourish. I particularly enjoyed working with it. The course gave me a solid foundation and sparked my curiosity to explore the tool further.

Going forward, I would like to continue building my skills in the other tools introduced during the programme, and find more opportunities to use them to enhance my work and communicate insights more effectively.

Overall, I would say that the programme provides all the necessary tools and guidance while also giving participants significant freedom in how they approach the task. Ultimately, the direction you take depends on your own way of thinking, problem-solving approach, and ability to translate data into a meaningful story.

Yiyi: Over the past three months, you have gone through several important steps-from submitting your proposal and participating in mentoring sessions to completing the final report. Looking back, how would you describe this journey?

Nicolas: I think it really was a journey. That's probably the best way to describe it, because we went through very different ways of looking at data throughout the programme. We started with the foundations and then moved into more complex areas, including predictive analytics and different data visualization tools and approaches. The programme took us from more basic concepts towards increasingly complex topics in a very educational and dynamic way.

Yiyi: If someone was considering joining the course, what would you tell them based on your experience?

Nicolas: My experience was very positive, and I would recommend the programme to colleagues who are interested in strengthening their understanding of data and developing their data literacy.

I felt that the programme was very well curated. It provides a strong foundation while also exposing participants to different approaches, resources, and tools that they can continue exploring beyond the programme. You will finish the course with a stronger foundation and a broader toolbox to help you navigate data-related challenges and continue your own learning journey.