Senior Statistical Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) serves as the official source of internationally comparable data in education, science, culture, and communication. Established to support the global community in tracking progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on quality education, UIS collaborates with Member States and partners worldwide to produce, validate, and report data. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that reliable evidence is available for shaping policies and advancing educational outcomes. UIS operates with a mission to enhance the quality and accessibility of education data, and it plays a crucial role in global SDG monitoring. The organization is characterized by its commitment to integrity, respect for diversity, and professionalism, and it employs a diverse workforce across various countries, contributing to its mission of fostering educational development globally.

Job Overview:
The Senior Statistical Assistant position is integral to the operational backbone of the UIS Foresight, Research and Innovation Section. This role is designed to support the increasing complexity and demands of the Section's work on SDG 4 coordination, foresight, and methodological development. The incumbent will be responsible for organizing data, documentation, and daily processes, which allows analysts and managers to concentrate on substantive analytical work. The position focuses on three primary areas: data and documentation management, research and coordination, and program and administrative support. The Senior Statistical Assistant will compile, clean, and version-control datasets related to SDG 4 indicators, conduct background research, and provide logistical support for meetings and workshops. This role is essential for maintaining data integrity and ensuring that the Section's outputs are delivered on time and meet high standards of quality.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Programme & Workstream Support: Implement the Section's work programme, including SDG 4 coordination and methodological development. Track workplans, timelines, and deliverables across multiple workstreams. Maintain structured tracking tools such as task lists and document logs. Coordinate inputs from internal teams and external partners.
• Data and Database Management: Compile, clean, validate, and update datasets related to SDG 4 indicators. Maintain databases and ensure consistency and version control. Prepare datasets for reporting and analysis, and document and archive datasets and related materials.
• Background Research & Analytical Support: Conduct structured background research to support foresight exercises and SDG 4 reporting. Compile and synthesize information into briefing notes, tables, and summaries. Prepare analytical inputs for reports and presentations.
• Knowledge Management and Documentation: Maintain organized repositories of technical documents and meeting records. Ensure version control and accessibility of documents. Draft and format technical notes and guidance documents.
• SDG 4 Coordination & Meeting Support: Prepare and organize technical meetings and workshops. Assist with agenda preparation and follow-up on action points. Facilitate communication with partners and Member States.
• Administrative and Logistic Support: Provide logistical and administrative support for missions and workshops. Support procurement and coordination processes as required. Contribute to the smooth day-to-day functioning of the team.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have completed secondary education or technical/vocational schooling. A minimum of eight years of relevant experience in data processing, database management, or program support is required. This experience should include demonstrated ability to support projects with multiple components and organize meetings and logistics effectively. Proficiency with statistical software such as R or Stata, as well as advanced spreadsheet functions, is essential. Candidates should also have experience maintaining databases and strong attention to accuracy and version control. Familiarity with document or knowledge-management systems is important, along with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage several workstreams and deadlines simultaneously. Clear writing skills are necessary for producing technical notes and documentation.

Educational Background:
The position requires completed secondary education or technical/vocational schooling. Post-secondary training in statistics, data management, education, social sciences, development studies, administration, project management, or information management is desirable.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least eight years of relevant experience in data processing, database management, or program support. Experience in an international organization or in projects spanning multiple countries is preferred, as is exposure to education data or work related to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English, both written and spoken, is mandatory. A working knowledge of French or another official language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is considered desirable.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is one year, with the possibility of extension subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance. The position is open to both internal and external candidates, but only those entitled to work in Canada may apply. The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 58,962 CAD, and benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. The selection process may involve pre-recorded video interviews, written assessments, and reference checks. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages applications from candidates from under-represented Member States, minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities.