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Senior Regional Advisor (Statistics)

OVERVIEW

Position Number: 6SNUIS0009PA

Grade: P-5

Parent Sector: Institute for Statistics (UIS)

Duty Station: Dakar

Job Family: Education

Contract Type: Project Appointment

Duration of contract: 1 year

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 12/06/2026

 

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Duration of contract: 1 year with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance 

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

 

Established in 1999, the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) is the statistical office of UNESCO and serves as the United Nations depository for cross-nationally comparable statistics in the fields of education, science, technology, culture, and communication and information for its 193 Member States and 12 Associate Members. The UIS agenda is focused on the delivery of cross-national comparable data for global, regional and development agendas, structured around three pillars: standards and methodologies; data production; and brokering and outreach. As articulated in its 2022–2029 Medium-Term Strategy, the UIS aims to ensure that countries’ policies and decision-making are informed by sound statistical information, that they can benchmark progress towards national and international goals, and that they can learn from the experience of others.

 

The UIS provides the data and technical inputs that underpin global, regional and funding mechanisms for education, including the UN Transforming Education Summit, the Global Education Cooperation Mechanism (GCM), the G7, the G20, and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) results framework. The UIS also responds to emerging data needs, for example through its joint work with UNICEF, the World Bank, the OECD and the Global Education Monitoring Report (GEMR) on national education responses to COVID-19. Together with the GEMR, the UIS achieved consensus on the adoption of the SDG 4 benchmarking process and co-leads the data and monitoring function of the GCM, supporting countries in setting and monitoring targets for 2025 and 2030.

 

This position sits within the Regional Field Network Unit of the UIS and leads the UIS team in Africa. The incumbent is a member of the UIS senior management team, works under the direct supervision of the Director of the Institute, and collaborates closely with the different Sections of the Institute.

Long Description

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the Senior Regional Advisor (Statistics) will provide strategic advice and support to regional, sub-regional and national authorities and organizations in the UIS’s fields of competence in order to improve the quality of data in Africa; provide technical assistance and methodological guidance to build statistical capacity; and strengthen the region’s capacity to monitor the SDGs, including securing national commitments to SDG 4 benchmarks, thereby contributing to the implementation and monitoring of the UIS strategy in the region.

 

In particular, the incumbent will carry out the following duties:

Long Description

 

1. Data Collection

  • Develop and implement a Regional Engagement Strategy to improve the quality, timeliness and completeness of data and indicators collected for the UIS Core System of Education Indicators.
  • Develop analytical capacity to strengthen traditional data collection and provide guidance and support to countries in reporting; monitor the response rates and the quality of data reported by countries to the UIS and coordinate the actions required to maintain or increase these; and obtain country validation of indicators to be reported by the UIS.
  • Follow up on response rates in the region and coordinate the necessary actions with the Heads of the Education Administrative Data Section, the Foresight and Innovation Section, and the Science, Culture, Communication and Information (SCCI) Section.

2. Capacity Development
In line with the UIS strategy and priorities:

  • Lead the development of regional analysis activities aimed at supporting the monitoring and follow-up of the SDGs and the Education 2030 Agenda; work closely with other units in UNESCO regional and field offices to address cross-cutting themes such as gender and inclusive education, while ensuring the inclusion and cost-coverage of monitoring and evaluation functions and activities related to statistics and indicators in their programmes.
  • Lead the delivery of UIS responsibilities for the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) and the SDG 4 benchmarking process in the region.
  • Contribute to the work of the Education Standards and Methodology Unit and the Foresight and Innovation Team in exploring methods to increase the robustness of education indicators and their coverage.
  • Coordinate, plan and monitor a funded programme of work for capacity building in statistics and information systems, working with internal and external partners to align with prioritization criteria and reduce fragmentation, gaps and overlaps.

3. Partnership and Resource Mobilization

  • Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with the African Union, regional organizations, National Commissions and Member State line ministries to advance the Institute’s strategy for education data, accountability and alignment.
  • Ensure that all field operations issues are effectively and efficiently coordinated with the relevant UIS HQ teams in education.
  • Serve as UIS liaison to facilitate the implementation of the UIS regional programme in the areas of Science, Culture, Communication and Information (SCCI).
  • Participate in resource mobilization through regional and inter-regional collaboration and coordination of multilateral and bilateral funding in matters related to statistics and information systems.
  • Lead resource mobilization for UIS activities in the region.

4. Contribution to UIS Core Work

  • At the beginning of each year, provide the UIS Director with an annual plan outlining the priorities for the region and recommending an action plan.
  • Ensure coordination with UNESCO field offices and other key stakeholders in the development of the UIS programme of work and the alignment of work with national, regional and UN development frameworks.
  • Perform additional activities required in support of the UIS mandate and to ensure the success of the team’s work programme.
  • Contribute to UIS reporting, including the preparation of documents for UIS and UNESCO governing bodies and for other internal and external stakeholders, including donors and development partners.

Long Description

Long Description

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

  • Communication (C)
  • Accountability (C)
  • Innovation (C)
  • Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
  • Planning and organizing (C)
  • Results focus (C)
  • Teamwork (C)
  • Building partnerships (M)
  • Driving and managing change (M)
  • Strategic thinking (M)
  • Making quality decisions (M)
  • Managing performance (M)
  • Leading and empowering others (M)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, economics, demography, education or social sciences with a substantial applied statistics or data sciences component.

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience as a statistician working with administrative, finance, survey and/or assessment data relating to education, of which at least three (3) years acquired at the regional or international level strengthening education data capacity in Africa.
  • Demonstrated experience working in developing countries with National Statistical Offices or Planning Units.
  • Demonstrated experience in partnership development and resource mobilization.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

  • Ability to explore innovative options to deliver education data, including a strong understanding of how to leverage emerging methodological and technological opportunities.
  • Capability to prepare analytical and dissemination products on complex technical issues suitable for a general policy audience.
  • Experience with relevant coding languages (e.g. Python, R), data visualization tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau) and database management (e.g. SQL).
  • Technical competence in the use of standard office and data processing/analysis software (e.g. MS Excel, MS Word, SPSS, Stata or SAS).
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and to manage diverse, geographically dispersed teams.

LANGUAGES

  • Excellent knowledge of either English or French and a working knowledge of the other.

 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

  • Advanced university degree (PhD or equivalent) in statistics, economics, demography, mathematics, education, social sciences or related areas.
  • An advanced degree in applied statistics or data science is highly desirable.

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Experience in applied research, education data analysis and statistical modelling.
  • Experience with the modernization of official statistics.
  • Experience working with learning assessments.
  • Experience in the United Nations system or a similar international agency.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

  • Familiarity with the SDG 4 monitoring framework and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA).
  • Established networks with African Union institutions, regional economic communities and National Statistical Offices in the region.

LANGUAGES

  • Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc. 

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 141 026 USD.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
  • UNESCO applies to a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
  • UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply.
  • lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
  • All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
  • Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
  • In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNESCO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be accessed through the link: https://www.whed.net
  • The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
  • UNESCO appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by the Organization, is required for International Professional positions.
  • UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

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