Senior Regional Advisor (Statistics)

Organizational Context

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), established in 1999, is the statistical office of UNESCO. It serves as the UN depository for cross-nationally comparable statistics in education, science, technology, culture, and communication for its 193 Member States. The UIS focuses on delivering data for global and regional agendas through standards, data production, and outreach. Its 2022-2029 Medium-Term Strategy aims to inform policy and decision-making with sound statistical information, enabling countries to benchmark progress and learn from others.

Job Purpose

This Senior Regional Advisor (Statistics) position is within the Regional Field Network Unit of the UIS, leading the UIS team in Africa. The role operates under the direct supervision of the UIS Director and is part of the UIS senior management team. The incumbent will provide strategic advice and support to regional, sub-regional, and national authorities in Africa to enhance data quality in the UIS's fields of competence. This includes offering technical assistance and methodological guidance to build statistical capacity and strengthen the region's ability to monitor the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 benchmarks, thereby contributing to the UIS strategy implementation in Africa.

Responsibilities

The Senior Regional Advisor (Statistics) will be responsible for developing and implementing a Regional Engagement Strategy to improve the quality, timeliness, and completeness of education data collected for the UIS Core System. This involves enhancing analytical capacity, guiding countries in reporting, monitoring response rates, and obtaining country validation of indicators. The role includes leading regional analysis activities for SDG and Education 2030 Agenda monitoring, collaborating with UNESCO offices on cross-cutting themes like gender and inclusive education, and leading UIS responsibilities for the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) and SDG 4 benchmarking. The advisor will also coordinate capacity-building programs in statistics and information systems, develop strategic partnerships with regional bodies and Member States, serve as the UIS liaison for Science, Culture, Communication, and Information (SCCI) programs, and lead resource mobilization efforts for UIS activities in the region. Additionally, the role involves contributing to UIS reporting and developing annual work plans for the region.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressive professional experience as a statistician is required, with a focus on education-related data (administrative, finance, survey, assessment). At least three years must be at the regional or international level, specifically strengthening education data capacity in Africa. Experience working with National Statistical Offices or Planning Units in developing countries is essential, as is demonstrated experience in partnership development and resource mobilization.

Skills

Proficiency in exploring innovative data delivery methods, leveraging emerging technologies, and preparing analytical products for policy audiences. Experience with coding languages (Python, R), data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau), and database management (SQL) is necessary. Technical competence in standard office and data processing software (Excel, Word, SPSS, Stata, SAS) is also required. Ability to work effectively in multicultural environments and manage diverse teams is crucial. Familiarity with the SDG 4 monitoring framework and CESA, along with established networks in the region, is advantageous.

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