Data Specialist
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: Damascus
Job Family: Education
Type of contract : Affiliated personnel
Level :
Duration of contract : 1 year
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 12-FEB-2026
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
BACKGROUND
The protracted conflict in Syria has disrupted education systems, displaced millions, and placed significant strain on existing infrastructure. In such contexts, effective data and information management is a cornerstone for evidence-based decision-making, equitable resource allocation, and transparent monitoring.
Currently, education data systems in Syria face several challenges, including fragmented data collection, weak validation and verification processes, inconsistent indicator definitions, and insufficient data disaggregation. Staff at various levels of the Ministry of Education (MoE) have limited opportunities for capacity building, which further undermines evidence-based planning, monitoring, and the delivery of equitable quality education, particularly for displaced, marginalized, and vulnerable children.
To address these issues, the Syrian MoE has taken significant steps, including the development of the Modeer platform, a digital interface for school-level data reporting and management. However, it requires further strengthening in terms of indicator coverage, alignment with international standards, integration of ethical safeguards, robust data verification processes, and usability for planning and monitoring.
To support the Syrian MoE to enhance the Modeer platform, ensuring it meets both national needs and global education standards, the Data Specialist will play a key role in effective data analysis and management in alignment with priorities of the Ministry of Education.
SCOPE OF WORK
Under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut, the direct supervision of Education Programme Specialist, the Data Specialist will be responsible for ensuring effective day-to-day coordination and communication among all relevant stakeholders involved in the project to support smooth implementation and timely delivery of project outputs, including:
1. Acting as the primary technical focal point for daily coordination with designated counterparts within the Ministry of Education, ensuring continuous information flow, alignment of activities, and timely follow-up on agreed actions.
2. Translation of project objectives, workplans, and technical requirements into day-to-day operational actions in close coordination with MoE technical teams.
3. Facilitating regular technical exchanges, coordination meetings, and working-level consultations with MoE departments and other relevant stakeholders, including preparation of agendas, technical inputs, and summaries of key outcomes.
4. Monitoring day-to-day progress of project activities, and proactively identifying risks, delays, or bottlenecks requiring technical or managerial attention.
5. Providing ongoing technical advice and hands-on support to MoE counterparts in addressing operational data challenges arising during implementation.
6. Ensuring that feedback, decisions, and technical inputs from MoE are systematically documented, communicated to UNESCO, and reflected in project implementation.
7. Ensuring close coordinate with relevant UN agencies and education sector partners in the field of education, aligning project activities with existing UN coordination mechanisms and sector working groups, and promoting complementarity while avoiding duplication of efforts.
8. Preparing technical documentation, analytical outputs, and progress reports as required.
9. Additional activities that may be required to ensure the implementation of the project.
The Data Specialist is expected to contribute to the following expected results:
• A national EMIS Roadmap is developed, informed by EMIS needs identification after conducting a comprehensive assessment.
• A harmonized set of core education indicators is deveoloped aligned with SDG4 and consistent with UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) reporting methodologies, to be integrated into the Modeer platform to ensure comprehensive coverage of access, quality, equity, and resources across Syria.
• A national framework for education data governance is set up with defined roles, responsibilities, ethical and data protection guidelines established, ensuring consistency, transparency, accountability and safe and ethical use of education data.
• The Modeer platform is enhanced to integrate comprehensive indicators, improve data disaggregation, validation, verification, and enable user-friendly reporting.
• The institutional and technical capacity is transferred to the Syrian MoE staff at central level in data management and effective use of data.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
• An advanced university degree (Master's or higher) in Education, Data Science, Statistics, Information Management, Economics, International Development or a related field.
Work experience
• At least four (4) years of relevant professional work experience in the field of education policy and planning, education monitoring, research, evaluation, data analysis, database management, information management, and EMIS.
Skills and Competencies
• Demonstrated understanding of education policy and planning, with ability to apply data management to support sector-wide decision-making and reform.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, including very good writing skills.
• Good organizational, planning, monitoring, and reporting skills.
• Ability to work as part of a diverse team, to take initiative, and to provide quality and timely support and services.
• Discretion and capacity to deal efficiently and tactfully with people from different cultural backgrounds.
• Flexibility to adjust work schedules and priorities.
• Capacity to work under pressure and respond to tight deadlines.
Languages
• Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English and Arabic.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Work Experience
• Experience in managing large datasets and producing analytical reports
• Experience with data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, GIS mapping)
• Experience working in fragile/humanitarian contexts (Syria or similar settings preferred).
• Familiarity with humanitarian data standards and information management systems (e.g., 4Ws, HNO/HRP processes).
• Experience in coordination with multiple stakeholders, including UN agencies, international NGOs, governments, and donors.
Skills and Competencies
• Solid knowledge in education monitoring, core education indicators and SDG4 monitoring.
• Solid understanding of database management and interoperability, and experience in managing or supporting EMIS.
• Strong knowledge of statistical software (R, Python, SPSS, Stata) and database management (SQL, Excel).
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as an interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
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