Head of Education Data and Indicators Section

Job Posting Organization:
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) was established in 1999 and serves as UNESCO’s statistical agency for its 193 member states and 12 associated members. The UIS is dedicated to delivering cross-national comparable data that supports global, regional, and development agendas across various fields, including education, science, culture, and communication. The UIS aims to ensure that countries' policies and decision-making processes are informed by reliable statistical information, enabling them to benchmark their progress towards national and international goals. The UIS is also focused on providing technical support to member states to produce transformative data based on established standards and methodologies. The organization is currently working on several initiatives, including the UN Transforming Education Summit and partnerships with UNICEF, World Bank, and OECD to address emerging data needs, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The UIS is committed to building a management team that will lead the successful implementation of its vision as outlined in its 2022-2029 Medium Term strategy.

Job Overview:
The Head of Education Data and Indicators Section will play a crucial role in leading the development and implementation of the section’s work plan, ensuring that it aligns with the UIS transformation agenda and maintains coherence across various teams. The incumbent will manage three units: Administrative Data, Household Survey Data, and Data Standards and Integration. A key responsibility will be to ensure the timely update of the global education indicator database while maintaining high standards of quality, comparability, and relevance. The position requires strategic planning and execution of the work plan, monitoring compliance with UIS standards, and overseeing programmatic and administrative tasks, including budgeting and performance monitoring. The incumbent will also be responsible for initiating necessary changes to adapt to current and emerging data needs, thereby ensuring that the section's activities are responsive and effective.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of the section’s work plan, ensuring alignment with UIS strategic priorities.
• Develop statistical processes that ensure efficiency and quality, utilizing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the production and update of indicators.
• Monitor and validate the timely update of the global education indicator database, ensuring compliance with UIS standards.
• Oversee programmatic and administrative tasks, including budgeting and reporting to stakeholders.
• Propose work plans for the production of indicators based on administrative data and revise collection tools as necessary.
• Contribute to the development of a Statistical Quality Assurance Framework and monitor KPIs for administrative data production.
• Support the Director in organizing deliberations of the Education Data and Statistics Commission and coordinate UIS engagement with global SDG 4 partners.
• Promote country capacity development for national SDG 4 monitoring aligned with UIS standards.
• Provide clear objectives and expectations for staff, ensuring a supportive environment for professional development. 1
• Manage, mentor, and train staff to maintain effective delivery and business continuity.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in statistics, economics, mathematics, education, or social sciences with a substantial applied statistics/data sciences component.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in education data and statistics, particularly in developing countries.
• At least 5 years of experience at the international level within a UN agency or similar organization.
• Proven experience in leading and managing statistical data production programs/projects in education.
• Experience in designing and implementing effective data collection, processing, and dissemination activities.
• Extensive experience working with National Statistical Offices or Planning Units in developing countries.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in relevant fields such as statistics, economics, mathematics, education, or social sciences, with a strong emphasis on applied statistics or data sciences. A PhD or equivalent degree in a related field is desirable and may enhance a candidate's profile.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of education data and statistics, particularly with developing countries. This experience should include at least 5 years at the international level, preferably within a UN agency or similar organization. The role requires demonstrated experience in leading statistical data production programs and managing projects related to education statistics.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English, both written and spoken, is mandatory for this position. Additionally, good knowledge of French is considered a desirable qualification, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage in a bilingual work environment.

Additional Notes:
The position is a Project Appointment with an initial duration of 2 years, which is renewable based on the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The role is open to both internal and external candidates. The approximate annual starting salary for this position is 138,297 US dollars, and benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages candidates from under-represented Member States, minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities to apply. The recruitment process will involve an online application, assessments, and competency-based interviews, with a commitment to confidentiality throughout the process.