Consultant in Educational Statistics

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that aims to promote world peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. Established in 1945, UNESCO has a mission to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information. The organization operates in over 190 countries and has a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. UNESCO's work is guided by its core values of commitment to the organization, integrity, respect for diversity, and professionalism. The organization is particularly focused on leading the Global Education Agenda 2030 through Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Job Overview:
The position of Consultant in Educational Statistics is designed to support the work of the Policy, Planning, and Monitoring Unit of UNESCO in Santiago, particularly in the statistical component of its regional monitoring activities related to the implementation of the SDG 4/Education 2030 Agenda. The consultant will play a crucial role in enhancing the information systems for educational management (SIGED) to improve the production, analysis, and dissemination of educational statistics and indicators at both national and regional levels. This position is vital for supporting the implementation of educational policies and monitoring progress towards achieving the goals of the SDG 4-Education 2030 Agenda, especially for populations whose right to education is compromised. The consultant will be expected to conduct data analysis, develop reports, and contribute to the overall educational monitoring framework, ensuring that the data collected is effectively utilized to inform policy decisions and educational practices across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a variety of tasks including:

• Systematizing and analyzing educational and social data and indicators from Latin American and Caribbean countries, focusing on specific projects related to SIGED and preparing internal/external reports on education.
• Analyzing metadata from various databases, statistics, and indicators to identify their main characteristics, sources, and limitations.
• Monitoring regional and global initiatives for data collection and indicator production involving Latin American and Caribbean countries.
• Systematizing educational and social statistics and indicators for the Regional Office's use.
• Designing and developing a repository of regional educational data and indicators to meet UNESCO's needs in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Contributing to the regional monitoring of education in UNESCO Santiago, focusing on achieving SDG 4 targets through the use of indicators and conceptual frameworks.
• Collaborating closely with specialized UNESCO institutes on SIGED initiatives.
• Engaging with the Latin American Laboratory for the Evaluation of Educational Quality (LLECE) in analyzing and utilizing information produced on learning outcomes and complementary questionnaires to support regional monitoring of SDG
• Preparing thematic reports related to educational monitoring in the region. 1
• Supporting various teams within the Regional Office of UNESCO in Santiago and other UNESCO offices in Latin America and the Caribbean regarding data management and information. 1
• Identifying, systematizing, and promoting innovations in data use for educational management in the region. 1
• Contributing to the design and development of interactive data visualizations focused on educational monitoring through data processing and the use of Business Intelligence platforms. 1
• Providing technical assistance to regional and subregional initiatives to develop indicator frameworks on specific educational topics, including current monitoring systems for students with disabilities and students in mobility.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a higher education degree in social sciences (education, sociology, economics, or similar) with a focus on data analysis disciplines (such as demography or mathematics), or in the field of statistics or mathematics oriented towards measuring educational or social phenomena. Candidates must demonstrate a proven ability to manage various stakeholders involved in statistical data collection processes and identify improvements. Additionally, candidates should have demonstrated capacity for quantitative analysis of educational data using an appropriate conceptual and methodological framework, applying various datasets that comprise educational information systems. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential, particularly in a professional context working with education authorities and technical staff from education ministries. Advanced knowledge and skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are required, along with experience working with databases using Stata, SAS, SPSS, or other statistical software packages. Familiarity with Smart Business software (Tableau, Power BI, Google Data Studio, or similar) is also necessary. Proficiency in Spanish, both oral and written, is mandatory.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a higher education degree in social sciences, specifically in fields such as education, sociology, economics, or related disciplines that emphasize data analysis. This educational background should ideally include training in statistics or mathematics that is relevant to the measurement of educational or social phenomena. The emphasis on data analysis skills is critical for the successful execution of the responsibilities associated with this consultancy role.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant work experience in Latin American and Caribbean countries, focusing on the collection and analysis of educational statistics and indicators. Preferably, at least one year of this experience should have been acquired at an international level. Demonstrated ability to manage various stakeholders involved in statistical data collection processes and to identify improvements is essential. Experience in conducting quantitative analyses of educational data using appropriate conceptual and methodological frameworks is also required. Candidates should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, particularly in professional settings involving collaboration with education authorities and technical staff from education ministries.

Languages:
Proficiency in Spanish is mandatory, both oral and written. Knowledge of English is desirable and will be considered an asset, particularly for candidates who can communicate effectively in both languages. This bilingual capability will enhance the consultant's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and access a broader range of resources and information.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is classified as a non-staff contract with a duration ranging from 7 to 11 months. The recruitment is open to external candidates, and the consultancy can be conducted remotely, meaning that residing in Santiago, Chile, is not a requirement for the consultant. Candidates must ensure that their proposals are submitted by the application deadline of March 24, 2025, and should follow the specified guidelines for submitting both technical and financial proposals. The selection process will involve evaluating candidates based on the criteria outlined in the vacancy notice, which may include tests, assessments, and interviews. UNESCO emphasizes a commitment to diversity and encourages applications from individuals from underrepresented groups, including minorities and persons with disabilities.