Statistician

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Digital Economy Policy Research Section of the E-commerce and Digital Economy Branch of the Division on Technology and Logistics in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). UNCTAD was established in 1964 and is dedicated to promoting the integration of developing countries into the global economy. The organization focuses on trade, investment, and sustainable development, and operates in over 190 countries, employing thousands of staff members worldwide. UNCTAD aims to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth through research, policy analysis, and technical assistance.

Job Overview:
The Statistician will play a crucial role in developing databases and qualitative information related to e-commerce and the digital economy. This position involves initiating and coordinating the development of methods for obtaining relevant data, ensuring the quality of collected data, and conducting analytical programs of work in the areas of e-commerce and digital economy statistics. The Statistician will also supervise the development of databases and web publishing tools, undertake methodological research, and provide guidance to other departments and field experts. The role requires planning and coordinating the UNCTAD Working Group on Measuring E-commerce and the Digital Economy, as well as drafting technical papers and analytical studies. The position demands a strong ability to analyze and interpret data to support decision-making and to communicate findings effectively through various data visualization methods.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties of the Statistician include leading the development of databases related to e-commerce, coordinating data collection methods, ensuring data quality, planning and conducting analytical programs, supervising the development of statistical tools, conducting methodological research, providing guidance to other departments, preparing documentation for technical cooperation programs, managing the work of the section, collecting and analyzing data to identify trends, drafting technical papers, and representing the section in relevant statistical meetings. The role also involves performing other duties as assigned by the Chief of the Section.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong knowledge of statistical programs to analyze complex data and formulate strategies for statistical development. They should demonstrate professionalism, effective communication skills, and the ability to plan and organize work efficiently. The ideal candidate will have a commitment to gender perspectives and the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Additionally, they should be technologically aware and willing to learn new technologies relevant to their work.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, mathematics, economics, sociology, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is considered an advantage.

Experience:
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the collection, compilation, analysis, and dissemination of statistical data is required. At least two years of experience in data analytics or a related area is desirable. Experience working in an international organization, particularly the United Nations, and within a National Statistical Organization is also desirable. Candidates should have at least five years of experience in e-commerce, digital trade, or the digital economy, and familiarity with data science tools such as Jupyter, Matlab, Knime, SPSS, SAS, or programming languages like R, Python, or Javascript is preferred.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in English is required, while knowledge of French, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Russian, or Spanish is desirable. Candidates must meet the minimum required level for each skill in these languages according to the UN Language Framework.

Additional Notes:
This is a temporary position available for a period of six months, starting in February 2026 and lasting until July 31, 202

• Extensions may be possible based on the continuation of need, availability of the post, and satisfactory performance. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Candidates should have no expectation of a fixed-term appointment after the temporary assignment. The position may involve reference checks and candidates will be subject to the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.