Head of Section (Research and Innovation in Monitoring Education) - Jobs in Montréal, QC

Job Description

OVERVIEWPost Number : 1CAUIS0076PAGrade : P-5Parent Sector : UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)Duty Station: MontrealJob Family: EducationType of contract : Project AppointmentDuration of contract : 2 years with possibility of renewalRecruitment open to : Internal and external candidatesApplication Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 08-OCT-2022UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, ProfessionalismDuration of contract: initially 2 years, with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POSTEstablished in 1999, the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) serves as UNESCO’s statistical agency for its 193 member states (MS) and 12 associated members. The UIS agenda is focused on the delivery of cross-national comparable data for Global, regional and development agendas, covering the fields of education, science, culture, and communication and information. The UIS delivers the technical support for MS to produce transformative data based on the 3 pillars (Standards and methodologies; Data production; Brokering and outreach). The UIS’ vision, described in its 2022-2029 Medium Term strategy, is 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 learn from the experience of others. TheUIS is seeking to build a management team that will lead the successful implementation of that vision. The UIS provides the data and technical inputs for global, regional and funding mechanisms for education work, such as the UN Transforming Education Summit, the Global Education Cooperation Mechanism (GCM), G7, G20 and the GPE results framework. The UIS meets data needs for emerging priorities, for example through its work with UNICEF, World Bank, OECD and the GEMR on the Joint Survey of national education responses to COVID 19. Within the mandate of strengthening reporting, the UIS in partnership with the Global Education Monitoring report (GEMR) achieved consensus on the adoption of an SDG 4 benchmarking process and supports countries in setting and monitoring targets for 2025 and 2030 as co-leaders of the data and monitoring function of the GCM.Under the overall authority and supervision of the Director of UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the Head of the Foresight and Innovation team (FIT) will contribute substantially to the UIS concept, utilization, design and implementation and quality assurance of all the UIS statistics in the area of Education. The head of the section will ensure all governance mechanisms in the Education area work smoothly. The successful candidate will be part of the senior leadership of the UIS and play a key role in developing the public profile of the institution’s knowledge, work and outreach to a broad range of external stakeholders.Main Responsibilities and tasks1. Technical oversight on data production of non-administrative dataLead the section including setting goals and providing the leadership to deliver high quality data using multiple strategies and sources for household and learning data.Provide guidance to the Chief Statistician on the conceptual strategy development and management of the implementation of the strategies regarding data innovation in education.Review and manage updates to data governance, protection, and security requirements.Oversee the preparation of the business analytics for the data release and to support UIS’s knowledge work, technical assistance and policy dialogue with partners and member states.Advocate for methodological coherence though the harmonization of statistics from different sources and develop and support a methodological program of work.Initiate and introduce necessary changes to ensure the section activities respond to current and emerging data needs.2. Data management and disseminationLead the integration of UIS databases in education and their dissemination.Develop analytical and dissemination capacity and products to promote the integration of data and statistics output into the work of key stakeholders and member states.Oversee the preparation of the statistics for the data release and to support UIS’s knowledge work, technical assistance and policy dialogue with partners and member states.Introduce innovative approaches in compiling, managing and disseminating data.Maintains the Global Education Observatory and coordinate the GEO 2.0.3. Global and regional governanceBuild and maintain partnerships with technical and multilateral partners, bilateral donors (and their programmes), and academic institutions to ensure alignment with major initiatives in statistics in education.Support the UIS roles in SDG4 indicator governance mechanisms, taskforces and working groups.Provide the secretariat to the Technical Cooperation Group for SDG 4 and co-lead the Global Alliance to Monitoring Learning.Prepare the technical inputs and carry the preparatory work in support of the UIS coordination in the Global education architecture and within UN.4. People and talent managementEnsure the section is strategically staffed for effective delivery of the section as defined in bi-annual work programs of the Department.Manage, mentor, guide, develop and train staff under his/her supervision.Build and maintain a network of experts and institutions to support the UIS’s data collection, methodological research and data management and dissemination processes.Long Description5. Contribution to UIS Core workCarry out the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance.Lead resource mobilization and develop funding mechanisms for the section in accordance with the Institute’s strategy and work programme.Contribute to the UIS reporting, including the preparation of documents for UIS and UNESCO governing bodies; and for other internal and external stakeholder including donors and development partners.Perform additional activities required in support of the UIS mandate and to ensure the success of the team’s work programme.COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Communication (C) Accountability (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) Building partnerships (M) Driving and managing change (M) Leading and empowering others (M) Making quality decisions (M) Managing performance (M) Strategic thinking (M) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework .REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONSEducationAdvanced university degree (PhD degree or equivalent) in statistics, economics, mathematics, education or social sciences with a substantial applied statistics / data sciences component.Work experienceMinimum of 10 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience as a statistician working with administrative, finance, survey, and/or assessment data relating to education, especially with developing countries, of which at least five years is at international level either within a UN or similar agency or in a Government Ministry or agency.Experience of working as a statistician, researcher or analyst on programmes or activities in the field of education statistics.Extensive and in-depth experience on statistical work in developing countries with National Statistical Offices or Planning Units.Experience in designing, managing, and implementing projects and programme activities pertaining effective data collection in education data.Skills/competenciesExcellent skills with statistical programmesAbility in managing and communicating data warehouse plans to internal clients.Ability to convey complex / difficult data science topics to clients in a relatable manner.Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others.High degree of diplomacy, discretion with proven ability to function under uncertainties.Ability to think strategically and to design long term plans in line with the strategic priorities.Shows track record in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;Good leadership and ability to attract, motivate and retain high quality professional staffDemonstrated capability to plan and manage projects.Ability to manage an effective and collaborative team in a multicultural environment.LanguagesExcellent knowledge of English.DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONSWork experienceExperience working on/in countries in Africa.Experience in the UN system or a similar agency.Experience in partnership development and resource mobilisation.Record of publications based on quantitative education data analysis and / or statistical modelling.LanguagesGood knowledge of French.BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTSUNESCO’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 141,254 US $.For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESSPlease 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 a competency-based 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.FooterUNESCO 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 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. Individuals 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. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.Quick Apply

• Terms & Conditions
• New Privacy
• Privacy Center
• Accessibility

For Job Seekers

• Browse Jobs
• Advanced Job Search
• Emplois Quebec

For Employers

• Post a Job
• SimplyHired OnDemand

Stay Connected