Consultant Technical Support for SDG 4 Data and Statistics Agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level :  Level 2 - Middle

Hiring Unit : Institute for Statistics (UIS)

Duty Station : Santiago

Work location : On site

Duration of contract : 10 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC−3 Time) : 25/02/2026

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

Application requirements

UNESCO invites you to submit in writing consulting proposals for the work assignment described in the following section. For the preparation of this proposal, the elements to be considered are detailed below. In addition to completing the online application (mandatory), you must submit:

1. A technical proposal consisting of:

A detailed and updated curriculum vitae; and

B. An approach and methodology for the task and comments on the Terms of Reference, if any.

2. A financial proposal, expressed in USD, considering the monthly and total consultancy fees.

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organization best value for money.

Your proposal must be sent by e-mail to roster.santiago@unesco.org no later than (18:00 on February 25th, 2026).

Two separate files must be sent, one for the technical proposal and one for the financial proposal. Please quote in the subject line of the email the following: " Ref:STG/2026/CIC/04 Consultant Technical Support for SDG 4 Data and Statistics Agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean. You must take into account these conditions to apply, otherwise the proposals will not be considered. It is the responsibility of each individual to ensure that their proposal is received by the deadline.

Thank you for your interest in this UNESCO consulting opportunity; and we look forward to receiving your proposal. 

Background

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) is the official and trusted source of internationally comparable data in education, science, culture, and communication and information. As the statistical office of UNESCO, the UIS supports countries in strengthening their data systems and enhancing the coverage, quality, and use of data for policy and planning.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, UIS works closely with Ministries of Education, national statistical offices, and other partners to ensure comprehensive and accurate data reporting for the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) monitoring framework.

The consultant will support the UIS in enhancing the coverage and quality of education statistics in the region and expanding the availability of data for SDG 4 reporting.

Objectives

General Objective:

Support the UIS to enhance SDG 4 data and statistics coverage in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Specific Objectives:

• Support SDG 4 data collection through UIS instruments in coordination with the UIS Regional Advisor’s team.
• Provide direct technical and data assistance to at least five countries facing challenges in their data systems, in coordination with the regional team.
• Assist in the country-level validation of UIS Dynamic Templates, in coordination with the regional team.
• Identify and extract relevant national data sources—such as school censuses and learning assessment school questionnaires—that can support international education reporting, using techniques such as data mining and web scraping.

ASSIGNMENTS

The consultant will work under the supervision of the UIS Regional Advisor and carry out the following tasks:

• Support data country data submission and validation processes in coordination with the UIS regional advisor.
• Support the development of Country Data Plans for countries receiving direct assistance, jointly identifying key challenges and establishing clear objectives to strengthen indicator-based education data systems.
• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of Country Folders, consolidating mappings (e.g., LASER, LITEA, ISCED), documenting reporting gaps, and tracking national estimation methodologies and practices for SDG 4 indicators.
• Review and analyze existing education statistics, particularly in countries with limited capacity or irregular reporting history.
• Contribute to the verification and finalization of Dynamic Templates to ensure alignment with UIS standards, in coordination with UIS regional team.
• Analyze and identify usable national data from published reports and datasets to enhance country SDG4 reporting.
• Maintain close communication with the UIS team to ensure coordination and consistency in technical assistance efforts.
• Provide technical input for capacity development materials or data cleaning routines as needed.

CONTRACT DURATION

Duration: 9 to 10 months
Tentative Start Date: March 2026
Modality: Full-time; hybrid or remote, with flexibility depending on project needs and location of consultant
Reporting Line: UIS Regional Advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean

Long Description

DELIVERABLES

• Monthly activity report including summary of work completed, outputs, and recommendations.
• Documentation of technical support provided to countries, including summaries of meetings, follow-up actions, and validated data files.
• Summary of data sources mined or extracted with corresponding metadata and references.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree in Statistics, Economics, Data Science, Education Planning, or a related field with a quantitative focus.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in the education sector, particularly in statistics, data analysis, or the management of quantitative education data systems.
• Proven knowledge of education indicators and monitoring frameworks, preferably related to education.
• Experience working with international datasets or national EMIS/school census systems is a strong asset.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Excellent command of Excel; proficiency in statistical software such as R and Stata is desirable.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.

LANGUAGES

• Fluency in Spanish and English (spoken and written) is required.
• Proficiency in Portuguese or French is an asset but not mandatory.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT 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 personnel shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• 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.
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.