Project Officer - Education Statistics (Africa)

Job Title: Project Officer - Education Statistics (Africa)

Organization: UNESCO

Post Number : 6SNUIS0007PA

Grade : P-3

Parent Sector : UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

Duty Station: Dakar

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Project Appointment

Duration of contract : 2 years

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 15-JUL-2023 

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism 

Duration of contract: initially 2 years, with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST 

Established in 1999, the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) serves as UNESCO’s statistical agency for its 193 member states (MS) and 12 associated members. The UIS agenda is focused on the delivery of cross- national comparable data for Global, regional and development agendas, covering the fields of education, science, culture, and communication and information. The UIS delivers the technical support for MS to produce transformative data based on the 3 pillars (Standards and methodologies; Data production; Brokering and outreach). The UIS’ vision, described in its 2022-2029 Medium Term strategy, is to ensure that countries’ policies and decision-making are informed by sound statistical information; that they can benchmark progress towards national and international goals and learn from the experience of others. The UIS is seeking to build a management team that will lead the successful implementation of that vision.  

The UIS is instrumental in shaping global education by providing essential data, technical expertise, and leadership in learning outcomes. It actively addresses challenges related to AI and machine learning and establishes a strong foundation for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through collaborations with UNICEF, the World Bank, OECD, and the GEMR, the UIS fulfills emerging data requirements. Its joint efforts in conducting the Joint Survey on national education responses to COVID-19 demonstrate its commitment to addressing immediate priorities. The data generated through these initiatives informs global, regional, and funding mechanisms for education, including important platforms like the UN Transforming Education Summit, the Global Education Cooperation Mechanism (GCM), G7, G20, and the GPE results framework. Furthermore, in partnership with the GEMR, the UIS has successfully adopted an SDG 4 benchmarking process, becoming a leading authority in data and monitoring within the Global Education Cooperation Mechanism (GCM). This process serves as a vital tool for countries to set and monitor targets, positioning the UIS and the GEMR at the forefront of supporting countries in achieving improved education outcomes. Recognizing the significant influence of AI and machine learning, the UIS actively engages in this domain by providing critical data and technical inputs. This proactive involvement ensures that education systems are well-equipped to leverage the potential of AI and address associated challenges through informed decision-making and policy development.

Purpose

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), the direct supervision of the Senior Regional Advisor- Africa and in collaboration with UNESCO Dakar, the incumbent’s key role is focused on improving the coverage for the UIS core set of indicators through working with member states in the region on responses to the UIS data collections and strengthening their capacity to monitor SDGs including securing national commitments to SDG4 benchmarks. 

Specifically, the incumbent shall be responsible for the following: 

1. Data Collection

• Develop and implement a workplan to improve the quality, timeliness and completeness of data and indicators collected against the UIS Core System of Education Indicators.
• Monitor the response rates and the quality of data reported by countries to the UIS and coordinate the needed actions to increase these.
• Obtain country validation of indicators to be reported by the UIS. Support the development of UIS regional activities for effective implementation of UIS regional programmes, supporting the follow up and review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Education 2030 Agenda, advocating for alignment of monitoring frameworks and promoting data driven policymaking.
• Conduct activities required for the implementation of UIS programmes in the fields of education, literacy skills measurement, and assessment of learning outcomes, science, technology & innovation, culture, and communication & information statistics.

2. Capacity Development

• In collaboration with UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Dakar.
• Develop medium term plans outlining the priorities to strengthen the reporting and monitoring of the SDG4 Agenda by Member States;
• Conduct mapping of key stakeholders in the region and enhance the UIS's network of partnerships involved in data quality at national and regional levels; 
• Articulate and implement a regional resource mobilization plan for capacity building.
• Within the framework of UIS medium term strategy and agreed allocation of resources, support the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Dakar to:
• Develop policy briefs and prepare regional and national studies and reports on SDG4
• Contribute to building the capacity of Member States in the region to collect and disseminate education data

3. Contribution to UIS Core work

• Contribute to UIS reporting, including technical documents, documents for UIS and UNESCO governing bodies as well as for other internal and external stakeholder including donors and development partners.
• Liaise with the UNESCO Field Offices in Africa for the effective implementation of UIS activities in the region.
• Perform any additional activities that may be required in support of the mandate of the UIS and to ensure the success of the work.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

Communication (C)

Accountability (C)

Innovation (C)

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)

Planning and organizing (C)

Results focus (C)

Teamwork (C)

Professionalism (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

Education 

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, economics, demography, education or social sciences with a substantial applied statistics / data sciences component.

Work Experience

• Minimum 4 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience as a statistician working with administrative, finance, survey, and/or assessment data relating to education of which preferably at least 2 years acquired at regional / international level strengthening education data capacity. 
• Experience working in developing countries with National Statistical Offices or Planning Units.
• Experience using relevant coding languages (e.g., Python, R), data visualisation tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) and database management (e.g. SQL).
• Experience in partnership development and resource mobilisation.

Skills and competencies 

• Ability to explore innovative options to deliver education data, including understanding how to leverage on emerging methodological and technology opportunities. 
• Ability to provide advice to national statisticians on statistical and methodological issues related to data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Ability to develop and analyse project proposals and monitor project implementation.
• Technical competence in the use of standard office and data processing/analysis software (i.e., MS Excel, MS Word, SPSS, Stata or SAS).
• Knowledge of the Africa region.
  Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English or French and a working knowledge of the other.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS 

Education 

• Advanced university degree (PhD degree or equivalent) in statistics, economics, demography, mathematics, education, social sciences or related areas.
• An advanced degree in applied statistics / data science. 

Work Experience

• Experience in applied research, education data analysis and statistical modelling. 
• Experience with modernization of official statistics.
• Experience of working with learning assessments
• Experience in the UN system or a similar agency. 

Languages

• Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, French, and Russian).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is USD 71,245.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

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