Consultant for Data Processing and Quality Assurance

Job Posting Organization:
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) is a specialized institute of UNESCO, established to serve as the statistical agency for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The UIS is dedicated to providing reliable and comparable data on education, science, culture, and communication. The organization plays a crucial role in monitoring global education goals, particularly the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. The UIS operates in multiple countries and collaborates with various stakeholders to enhance the quality and availability of education data. The institute is committed to improving data collection methods and ensuring that data is used effectively to inform policy and decision-making in education. The UIS employs a diverse team of professionals who are experts in statistics, education, and data management, and it is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a vital role in supporting the UIS's mission to enhance the quality and consistency of global education data. This position involves working closely with countries to ensure accurate and standardized data submissions through the Multi-Year Dynamic Templates (MYDT). The consultant will be responsible for providing technical assistance to countries, performing data validation, and automating data processing tasks. The role requires a strong understanding of statistical methodologies and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. The consultant will also be involved in updating templates, ensuring they meet international standards, and producing comprehensive review reports on country submissions. This position is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the UIS's data collection processes and supporting the global monitoring of education indicators.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support in Country Submission of MYDT: Assist up to 67 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Pacific with the submission of validated MYDT for Survey Year 2025 and 202
• Ensure the completeness and quality of submissions by reviewing MYDT for accuracy, running quality control checklists, and providing support during virtual meetings.
• Documentation, Validation, and Processing of Data: Develop and run code scripts for automating data transfer and validation. Conduct data cleaning and consistency checks, verify indicator calculations, and pre-fill MYDT using UIS-validated data.
• Updating and Implementing Changes to MYDT: Update template structures and formulas, add new data entry years, and produce multilingual versions of updated templates.
• Producing Review Reports: Generate validation reports based on country submissions, structuring them according to UIS standards.
• Preparation of Harmonized Questionnaires: Support UIS in generating and testing harmonized questionnaires for Survey Year 202
• Deliverables include validated templates, consolidated databases, reviewed reports, and pre-filled questionnaires.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: An advanced university degree in statistics, mathematics, computer science, education, economics, or a related field is required.
• Experience: A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in data processing, validation, or template-automation scripting is essential. Demonstrated experience in data validation, quality control, or statistical workflows is necessary.
• Skills: Strong programming skills in Python, R, or similar languages, along with experience in processing Excel-based systems. Ability to convert scripts into user-friendly applications is desirable.
• Language: Excellent written and spoken English is mandatory.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as statistics, mathematics, computer science, education, or economics. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of data processing and validation in the context of global education statistics.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least 3-5 years of relevant experience in data processing, validation, or scripting for template automation. This experience should include a strong focus on data validation and quality control, as well as familiarity with statistical workflows and methodologies.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of additional languages such as French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Russian is considered an asset and would be beneficial for producing multilingual versions of templates and reports.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is set for one year, with a total of 80 days of work expected. The position is open to external candidates and emphasizes the importance of achieving diversity and gender parity within the organization. UNESCO is committed to providing a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination, and it encourages applications from individuals from under-represented groups, including minorities and persons with disabilities. The application process requires candidates to submit a comprehensive proposal, including a cover letter, CV, and financial proposal. The evaluation of applications will prioritize technical components and value for money.