Senior Regional Advisor (Statistics), Latin America & the Caribbean

OVERVIEW

Post Number : 3CLUIS0005PA

Grade : NO-D

Parent Sector : UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

Duty Station: Santiago

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Project Appointment

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 25-MAR-2025

 

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

1 year contract with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Only nationals of Chile can apply for this post.

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Introduction  & Overview     
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) serves as UNESCO's statistical agency by providing cross-national comparable data that supports global, regional, and developmental agendas. The primary goal of this position is to enhance the coverage of the UIS core indicators in the Latin America and Caribbean region. The incumbent will work closely with member states and regional partners to strengthen data collection, monitor progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and promote evidence-based policymaking. 

 

Background      
Established in 1999, the UIS supports 193 member states and 12 associated members by:

• Delivering data across education, science, culture, communication, and information sectors.
• Operating under three key pillars: Standards & Methodologies, Data Production, and Brokering & Outreach.
   

In its 2022-2029 Medium Term Strategy, UIS focuses on:

• Informing national policies through reliable statistical information.
• Benchmarking progress toward both national and international development goals.
• Fostering knowledge sharing and collaboration among countries.

UIS also plays a crucial role in several global and regional initiatives, including:

• The UN Transforming Education Summit
• The Global Education Cooperation Mechanism (GCM)
• Engagements with G7, G20, and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE)
• Collaborative efforts with organizations such as UNICEF, the World Bank, OECD, and the Global Education Monitoring Report (GEMR). 

Long Description

Role Purpose & Objectives     
Under the overall authority of the Director of the UIS and with direct supervision from the Sr. Regional Advisor/Head of Regional Field Network—and administrative oversight from the Director of UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in Latin America and the Caribbean—the incumbent will:

• Enhance the UIS core set of education indicators in the region.
• Collaborate with member states to strengthen their capacity in monitoring SDGs.
• Secure national commitments to SDG4 benchmarks through targeted data collection and capacity-building activities.

Key Objectives:

• Improve data quality, timeliness, and completeness.
• Support regional initiatives and strategic actions aligned with UIS and UNESCO goals.
• Foster sustainable partnerships and resource mobilization for long-term capacity development.

 

Key Responsibilities     

Data Collection
Develop & Implement Workplan:

• Create a detailed plan aimed at improving the quality, timeliness, and completeness of data against the UIS Core System of Education Indicators.

Monitor & Validate Data:

• Track response rates and data quality from member states; coordinate necessary actions to enhance data reporting and secure country validation for key indicators.

Support Regional Programmes:

• Facilitate the implementation of UIS activities, including education, literacy, learning outcomes, science & technology, culture, and communication & information statistics.

Expected Deliverable: Increased data accuracy and enhanced member state engagement.

Long Description

Capacity Development
Plan Development (in Collaboration):

• Work with the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education for Latin America and the Caribbean to: 
• Develop medium-term plans that prioritize the strengthening of SDG4 reporting and monitoring.
• Map key stakeholders and expand the UIS network at national and regional levels.
• Design and implement a regional resource mobilization plan for capacity building.

Policy & Report Development:

• Assist in the creation of policy briefs, regional/national studies, and reports on SDG4.

Enhance Data Capabilities:

• Provide training and technical support to build member states’ capacities for effective data collection and dissemination.

Contribution to UIS Core Work
Reporting & Documentation:

• Contribute to the preparation of technical documents, reports for UIS and UNESCO governing bodies, and communications for external stakeholders including donors and development partners.

Coordination & Liaison:

• Maintain active collaboration with the UNESCO Office in Santiago, the Regional Bureau for Education, UNESCO national and cluster Offices, and the Regional Bureau of Science and Culture.

Additional Support:

• Undertake any supplementary activities necessary to support the UIS mandate and ensure overall success.

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)

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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education 

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in statistics, economics, demography, education or social sciences with a substantial applied statistics / data sciences component.

 

Work Experience

• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience as a statistician working with administrative, finance, survey, and/or assessment data relating to education of which preferably at least 3 (three) years acquired at regional / international level strengthening education data capacity in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Experience with partnership development and resource mobilisation.
• Experience in capacity building and developing field projects.
• Experience with relevant coding languages (e.g., Python, R), data visualisation tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) and database management (SQL).

 

Skills/competencies 

• Ability to explore innovative options to deliver education data, including understanding how to leverage on emerging methodological and technology opportunities. 
• Capability to prepare analytical and dissemination products on complex technical issues suitable for a general policy audience.

 

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English or Spanish and a working knowledge of the other.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education 

• Advanced university degree (PhD degree or equivalent) in statistics, economics, demography, mathematics, education, social sciences or related areas.
• An advanced degree in applied statistics / data science.
   

Work Experience

• Experience in applied research, education data analysis and statistical modelling. 
• Experience working in developing countries with National Statistical Offices or Planning Units.
• Experience with modernization of official statistics.
• Experience with current initiatives and issues in the area of data management.
• Experience of working with learning assessments
• Experience in the UN system or a similar agency.

 

Languages

• Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) 

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 83,502,000.00 CLP.

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 (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.

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