Consultant for Questionnaire Development and Data Collection

Job Posting Organization:
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) serves as the statistical office of UNESCO and is recognized as the United Nations’ custodian agency for global statistics in various fields including education, science, technology, innovation, culture, and communication. Established over 25 years ago, UIS has played a pivotal role in enhancing the global statistical system by producing internationally comparable data, developing methodologies, and assisting countries in establishing sustainable national data systems. As the custodian agency for Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), UIS is responsible for developing global indicators, setting methodological standards, collecting and validating education data, and aiding Member States in tracking progress towards Education 203

• UIS employs tools such as the Multi-Year Dynamic Templates (MYDTs) and UIS Education Questionnaires to facilitate data collection and validation, identify gaps, and enhance the quality and consistency of indicators across nations.

Job Overview:
The Consultant will operate under the overall guidance of the Director of UIS and the direct supervision of the Senior Project Officer (Administrative Data). The primary role involves supporting the development and updating of questionnaires, facilitating data collection through the Regional Field Network (RFN), and conducting data mining to ensure high-quality inputs for the upcoming 2026 and 2027 survey cycles. The consultant will be tasked with updating and preparing the MYDTs for the 2026 survey, ensuring methodological coherence, supporting translation efforts, conducting testing and validation of questionnaires, and providing operational support to the RFN during data collection and processing. This role is crucial for maintaining the integrity and quality of the data collected, which will ultimately inform global education statistics and policy-making.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Consultant's responsibilities are divided into three main activities: 1) Questionnaire Update and Development, which includes updating the MYDTs for Survey Year 2026, supporting translation updates for key languages, conducting testing of questionnaires, and developing a harmonized questionnaire for Survey Year 202

• 2) Support to the Regional Field Network (RFN), where the consultant will assist RFN focal points with queries, provide clarifications on validation errors, and support data processing and validation efforts. 3) Data Mining, which involves identifying and extracting essential education data from national sources, entering this data into UIS templates, and producing databases summarizing the mined information. Deliverables include updated MYDTs, testing reports, data validation summaries, and a final completion report summarizing all activities conducted.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in education, social sciences, statistics, mathematics, economics, international development, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 4 years of experience in data collection, validation, or statistical analysis is required. Demonstrated experience with questionnaires, survey tools, or template development is essential. Strong analytical skills and proficiency in Excel-based data tools are also necessary for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in relevant fields such as education, social sciences, statistics, mathematics, economics, or international development. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of data collection and analysis in the context of global education statistics.

Experience:
The position requires at least 4 years of relevant experience in data collection, data validation, or statistical analysis. Candidates should have a proven track record of working with questionnaires, survey tools, or template development, which is vital for the successful execution of the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, knowledge of French and/or Spanish is considered desirable, as it may enhance communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders involved in the data collection process.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is classified as a non-staff role with a contract duration of 1 year. The recruitment is open to external candidates, and the application process requires candidates to submit a comprehensive online application, including a cover letter, CV, and financial proposal. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of achieving diversity and gender parity within its workforce and encourages candidates from under-represented Member States, minority groups, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and is committed to confidentiality throughout the recruitment process.