Project Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) was established in 1999 and serves as the statistical agency for UNESCO, which includes 193 Member States and 12 Associate Members. The UIS's mission is to produce cross-nationally comparable data to support global, regional, and national development agendas in education, science, culture, and communication. As the official statistical agency of UNESCO, it is responsible for several indicators under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UIS provides technical support to Member States to generate high-quality data, focusing on standards, methodologies, data production, and outreach. The UIS aims to ensure that countries' policies are informed by robust statistical information, enabling them to benchmark progress toward national and international goals. The UIS also collaborates with various global initiatives, including the UN Transforming Education Summit and the Global Partnership for Education, to enhance data reporting and monitoring.

Job Overview:
The Project Officer will work under the authority of the UIS Director and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Education Section. The primary focus of this role is to contribute to the development, implementation, and maintenance of data integration and dissemination processes within the UIS. The incumbent will support the production of high-quality, timely, and comparable education data, as well as contribute to the update and dissemination of the global education indicator database. This position emphasizes technical implementation, data processing, validation, metadata management, and operational support for standards and interoperability initiatives. The Project Officer will play a crucial role in ensuring that the UIS can effectively integrate diverse data sources and maintain high standards of data quality and governance, ultimately supporting the UIS's mission to provide valuable data for educational policies and investments.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Data Integration and Interoperability: Support the design and implementation of frameworks for integrating multi-source data, contribute to the operationalization of interoperability standards, assist in harmonizing datasets across countries, and support the development of scalable data architectures.
• Metadata, Data Quality and Governance: Contribute to the development of metadata systems, support data quality assurance procedures, and strengthen data governance.
• Statistical Software, Innovation and AI-Supported Processes: Utilize statistical software for data processing and validation, apply AI techniques under guidance, and ensure adherence to ethical AI principles.
• Support to SDG Monitoring and Reporting: Contribute to the production of SDG 4 indicators, assist Member States in reporting mechanisms, and prepare technical notes and data briefs.
• Capacity Development and Technical Assistance: Prepare training materials and support capacity-building activities for Member States.
• Partnerships and Representation: Collaborate with international partners and participate in technical meetings and discussions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, mathematics, data science, economics, or a related field with a strong applied statistics component. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of four years of progressively responsible professional experience in official statistics or data systems, with at least two years at the international level. Demonstrated experience in data integration, managing large datasets, and metadata processes is essential. Strong technical skills in statistical frameworks and tools, as well as analytical and problem-solving abilities, are required.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as statistics, mathematics, data science, or economics is required for this position. The educational background should include a strong applied statistics component to ensure the candidate is well-equipped for the technical demands of the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of four years of progressively responsible professional experience in official statistics, data systems, or related fields. Of this experience, at least two years should be acquired at the international level. Demonstrated experience in data integration, managing large datasets, and applying statistical software is crucial for success in this role.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English is mandatory, while good knowledge of French is also required. Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is considered desirable and may enhance a candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
The position is a project appointment with a duration of one year, with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The role is open to both internal and external candidates. The expected annual starting salary for this position is approximately 97,515 USD, and benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. The application process requires candidates to complete an online application by the specified deadline, and the selection process may include various assessments and interviews. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages candidates from under-represented Member States, minority groups, and individuals with disabilities to apply.