Head of Education

OVERVIEW

Post Number : 1CAUIS0095PA

Grade : P-5

Parent Sector : UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

Duty Station: Montreal

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Project Appointment

Duration of contract : 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 04-NOV-2025

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

Duration of contract: initially 2 years, with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Established 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 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. The UIS 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 incumbent, as Head of Education Data and Indicators Section leads the development and implementation of the section's work plan, ensuring alignment with the UIS transformation agenda and coherence across teams. The incumbent manages the work of three units: Administrative Data, Household Survey Data, and Data Standards and Integration. S/he will be responsible for the timely update of the global education indicator database, maintaining high standards of quality, comparability, and relevance.  More specifically, the incumbent's main activities will include the following:

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

Main responsibilities and tasks

1. Strategic planning and work plan execution

Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of the section's work plan, ensuring alignment with UIS strategic priorities and transformation direction.Lead the development of the statistical processes ensuring efficiency and quality with a system of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and clear-cut defined workflows for the production and update of the indicators under the section's responsibility.Monitor and validate the timely update of the global education indicator database, ensuring compliance with UIS standards and methodologies.Oversee programmatic and administrative tasks including budgeting, performance monitoring, and reporting to internal and external stakeholders.Develop a work program to achieve these objectives ensuring the production of reports to member states and inputs to maximize the effectiveness of the Regional Field Network (RFN)  work.Initiate and introduce necessary changes to ensure the section activities respond to current and emerging data needs.

3. Administrative data production

Propose a workplan on production of indicators based on administrative data using all possible sources, revise the collection tools as needed. Contribute to the development of a Statistical Quality Assurance Framework by development of the administrative data KPIs.Oversee the management of activities related to the production of administrative data ensuring that norms and standards are implemented, with clear KPIs and substantive work programmes and programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion.Monitor KPIs for the section's work on administrative data.Ensure that all outputs produced by the Section under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. Long Description

6. Support to SDG4 coordination

Support the Director in the preparation and organization of deliberations of the Education Data and Statistics Commission,Support the Director in coordinating UIS engagement with UNESCO, the GEM Report, and global SDG 4 partners for coherent reporting and analytical outputs.Oversee the development and dissemination of SDG 4 metadata, standards, and methodologies, in line with UN Statistical Commission processes.Promote country capacity development and technical assistance for national SDG 4 monitoring aligned with UIS standards.

7. People and talent management 

Provide all staff under her/his supervision with clear objectives and expectations, aligned organizational strategy and policy along with the needed direction to achieve resultsRegularly discuss performance with staff, giving timely constructive feedback, identify learning goals for staff and ensure a supportive environment for personal and professional development; recognize individual contribution and acknowledge team successCommit time and energy to the well-being of all direct reportsEnsure 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.Put in place, with the assistance of the Human Resource, talent management mechanisms, to build a talent pool of the section to maintain effective delivery and business continuity. 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 QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in statistics, economics, mathematics, education or social sciences with a substantial applied statistics / data sciences component.    

Work experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in education data and statistics, especially with developing countries, of which preferably 5 years acquired at international level either within a UN or similar agency or in a Government Ministry or agency.
• Experience of leading and managing statistical data production programmes/projects in education is required.
• Experience in designing and implementing project and programme activities pertaining to effective data collection, processing and dissemination is required. 
• Experience 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.
  

Skills/competencies

Senior expertise in statistical framework, standards, methods and tools in the production of education data and indicatorsSenior expertise in statistical production processes and procedures, including data quality assurance standards and proceduresExpert level proficiency in the use of statistical data analysis programmes.Strong analytical and empirical skills for interpreting data and informed policymaking.High degree of diplomacy, discretion with proven ability to function under uncertainties.Ability to think strategically and to design long term plans and programs in line with the strategic priorities.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.

Language

Excellent knowledge of English ( written and spoken). DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

PhD or equivalent degree in statistics, economics or related field.

Work experience

Experience working on education data and statistics in countries in LDC (Least Developed Countries) and/or Africa.Experience in partnership development and resource mobilisation.

Languages

Good knowledge of French. 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 138,297 US $.

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

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 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.

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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 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 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.

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