3 minute read

Exploring the World of Business Data Analytics with Helen Schlueter

By Katja Kuivanen, Communications Officer, RSCE

In today’s fast-paced world, data reigns supreme, guiding decisions and shaping strategies. Those who can harness its power hold the key to unlocking insights that drive meaningful change. Helen Schlueter, a passionate advocate for data analytics, sat down with us to share her journey, insights, and experiences working at the Quality Assurance and Business Intelligence Unit.

With a background spanning international politics, economics, and digital transformation, Helen Schlueter embodies curiosity and a passion for learning. Her multidisciplinary expertise allows for a unique perspective on driving change, something she gets to apply in her work at the Quality Assurance and Business Intelligence Unit (QABI) at the RSCE:

We act as an ‘in-house data hub publishing key performance indicator reports that reveal the service quality provided by RSCE to its client missions. Furthermore, we look at processes end-toend, understanding where the main bottlenecks are which we have to resolve to improve RSCE’s overall service delivery. With the help of the dashboards built by QABI, senior management and the different service lines can assess their monthly and quarterly performance and make data-driven decisions to enhance service delivery.

While navigating the world of data analytics, Helen acknowledges the challenges of overcoming misconceptions and resistance to data-based performance management:

When I joined, I quickly understood that mentioning that you work on KPIs does not make you many friends [laughter]. Unfortunately, there is a perception that data-based performance management uncovers weaknesses, disturbs running routines, and looks to discredit someone’s work. I wish that with our work in QABI we can showcase that we actually aim for the opposite. We want everyone to understand and be supported in his or her challenges at work. With the help of data, we can bring transparency to complexity, and eventually support everyone in resolving the biggest challenges.

Reflecting on the most rewarding moments of her work, Helen muses:

“Being a business analyst, my main goal is to enable decisionmakers to gain a better understanding of the business and make more informed decisions by providing them with supporting data. So whenever I see someone gaining valuable insights or awareness from the data we present, I feel very satisfied.”

Helen especially encourages women interested in pursuing a career in data analytics to recognize the importance of their contributions in shaping inclusive and accessible data-driven decision-making:

“Start off with reading ‘Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men’ by Caroline Criado Perez and you will no longer question whether you are desperately needed in the field of data analytics. As data increasingly shapes our political and economic decisions, we as women cannot allow for us not to be represented in the data nor in interpreting and analyzing the data. If we want the world to be inclusive and accessible, we have to make sure we account for diversity when working with data.”

Before joining the UN, Helen launched an AI-based coaching platform, delved into political spheres, and advised government entities on digital transformation. Her expertise in driving digital evolution across different sectors paved the way for her current role in business data analytics at RSCE.

As we navigate the complexities of an increasingly data-driven world, individuals like Helen play a pivotal role in shaping a future where data is not just a tool, but a force for good.

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