Associate Project Officer- Statistics

Job Posting Organization:
The Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) is a specialized Category-I institute under UNESCO, dedicated to promoting education for peace and sustainable development. Established as part of UNESCO's mission, MGIEP focuses on fostering global citizenship through innovative educational practices. The institute operates with a commitment to enhancing the quality and impact of educational initiatives worldwide, utilizing evidence-based approaches to inform policy recommendations and program delivery. MGIEP's work spans various projects aimed at integrating peace education into curricula and promoting sustainable development goals across different educational contexts.

Job Overview:
The Associate Project Officer- Statistics will play a crucial role within the Programme Design and Evaluation Team at MGIEP. This position involves statistical analysis of research data, which is essential for the development and evaluation of educational programs aimed at fostering peace and sustainable development. The incumbent will be responsible for creating database structures for data storage, developing sampling plans, and supporting the creation of research tools. The role requires proficiency in statistical programming languages such as R and Python to automate data analysis processes. Additionally, the Associate Project Officer will conduct psychometric analyses and statistical evaluations aligned with research designs, ensuring that data collection methods are robust and effective. The position also entails writing and presenting technical reports, contributing to program design and evaluation tasks, and supporting institute-wide activities as needed. The successful candidate will be expected to coordinate project activities efficiently, ensuring timely communication and organization of project information.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Project Officer- Statistics include:

• Creating and maintaining a structured database for research data.
• Developing sampling plans and calculating sample requirements based on study scopes.
• Supporting the development of research tools and instruments.
• Writing codes in statistical packages such as R and Python for data analysis automation.
• Conducting psychometric analyses using methods like Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT).
• Performing statistical data analysis for various projects in accordance with research designs.
• Assisting in data collection through both primary and secondary methods.
• Providing programmatic coordination and support for assessment studies.
• Writing and presenting technical and analytical reports to stakeholders. 1
• Contributing to other program design and evaluation tasks as required. 1
• Supporting any other activities assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (equivalent to a Master’s) in statistics, applied statistics, data science, or a related field. They should have demonstrated skills in statistical analysis and familiarity with statistical packages such as R, Python, and MatLab. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is also required. Candidates should exhibit excellent written and oral communication skills, integrity, reliability, and accountability in their work. Strong coordination and organizational skills, along with good analytical and problem-solving abilities, are essential. A solid understanding of quantitative research designs and methods is also necessary for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (equivalent to a Master’s) in statistics, applied statistics (including population studies, biostatistics, education, etc.), or data science. Additional certifications from recognized institutions in relevant statistical software or methodologies, such as R, STATA, MATLAB, Python, Tableau, or Power BI, are desirable. Courses related to big data in education, project data analysis, and project management will also be beneficial.

Experience:
Candidates should have up to two years of professional experience related to statistical data analysis, psychometrics, sampling, and report writing, particularly in the fields of education or social sciences. Experience within an international environment or in the UN system is considered an asset, as it demonstrates familiarity with the operational context of international organizations and their methodologies.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English, both written and spoken, is mandatory for this position. A working knowledge of Hindi is also required. Knowledge of another UNESCO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) or regional Indian languages is considered desirable and may enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is for a duration of 12 months, with the possibility of extension based on the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The position is open to external candidates, specifically Indian nationals. The starting annual salary for this role is INR 23,34,091, and the salary is taxable. Benefits include 30 days of annual leave, reimbursement of medical insurance (up to 5% of base salary), and a pension plan (up to 10% of base salary). Candidates must complete an online application by the specified deadline, and the selection process may involve video interviews, written assessments, and reference checks. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of securing high standards of efficiency, technical competence, and integrity in its hiring process, and it applies a zero-tolerance policy against harassment.