Director of the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP)

Job Posting Organization:
The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat, established to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region. ESCAP supports its member states through policy-oriented research, analysis, and capacity-building assistance to address their development priorities. The Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP), a subsidiary body of ESCAP, was founded in May 1970 and is located in Chiba, Japan. SIAP's mission is to enhance the capabilities of developing member states in the region to collect, analyze, and disseminate statistics, thereby supporting economic and social development planning. The Institute operates under the guidance of a Governing Council that oversees its administration and financial status, ensuring alignment with ESCAP's technical cooperation and capacity development programs for statistics.

Job Overview:
The Director of SIAP is responsible for leading the administration and implementation of the Institute's work program, ensuring alignment with the priorities set by the Governing Council and ESCAP's technical cooperation initiatives. This role involves providing strategic leadership in developing and executing statistical training and capacity development programs that meet the needs of national statistical systems in the region, particularly in relation to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Director will coordinate annual and long-term work planning, oversee programmatic and administrative tasks, and foster teamwork and communication among staff. The position requires collaboration with various regional institutions and stakeholders to ensure that SIAP's work is integrated into the broader ESCAP strategic framework. The Director will also represent ESCAP in international and regional meetings, strengthen partnerships, and mobilize resources for the Institute's initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and supervise the administration of SIAP and the development and implementation of its work program in consultation with the Director of the Statistics Division.
• Provide strategic leadership in developing and implementing statistical training and capacity development programs.
• Offer policy advice on ESCAP strategy and program priorities related to training for capacity building for SDG implementation.
• Coordinate and oversee annual and long-term work planning of the Institute.
• Manage programmatic and administrative tasks, including budget preparation and staffing.
• Foster teamwork and communication among staff and across organizational boundaries.
• Collaborate with ESCAP's Statistics Division and other regional institutions to ensure integration of SIAP's work into ESCAP's strategic framework.
• Strengthen partnerships and engage in resource mobilization initiatives.
• Organize meetings on capacity development and training issues. 1
• Serve as Secretary to the SIAP Governing Council and prepare annual reports for review. 1
• Represent ESCAP in relevant international and regional meetings. 1
• Maintain regular contact with host government authorities to strengthen engagement.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a deep understanding of frameworks, standards, and operations of official statistics, particularly in the context of national and international statistical systems. They should have expert knowledge of economic, social, and environmental statistics relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Proven leadership skills in statistical capacity-building initiatives and the ability to produce high-quality research and technical products are essential. Candidates should also demonstrate strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, data science, economics, demography, sociology, or related fields is required. A Ph.D. in any of these fields is desirable. Alternatively, a relevant first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in leading and managing strategic planning and implementation of data collection programs is required. Candidates should have experience in the analysis, dissemination, and use of official statistical data, as well as in formulating and implementing capacity-development programs. Experience in managing a sizeable work unit and conducting research in core areas of official statistics is also necessary. Relevant professional experience in the Asia-Pacific region is desirable.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations, but proficiency in French is not mandatory for this role.

Additional Notes:
The position is funded from extra budgetary resources, with an initial appointment for one year, subject to annual renewal based on performance and funding availability. The selected candidate will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited in accordance with UN administrative instructions. The United Nations is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality, encouraging women candidates to apply. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities may be provided upon request.