UN Women: Consultant - Support the reprocessing of environment microdata and the creation of a gender-environment data dashboard, Home-based, International Consultant

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men. Placing women's rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors

To support the production and use of gender statistics across Asia and the Pacific, UN Women is implementing its flagship programme Making Every Woman and Girl Count (Women Count) across the region. Women Count aims to create a radical shift in how gender statistics are used, produced and promoted to inform policy and advocacy on gender equality. In Asia and the Pacific, the programme prioritizes three key areas of work, including the creation and use of environment statistics, women’s economic empowerment statistics, and statistics calculated from big data and non-conventional data sources. The consultant will support the implementation of Women Count activities pertaining to environment statistics. 

In particular, the consultant is expected to support, under the leadership of the Women Count team in Asia-Pacific, the processing of microdata from surveys, geospatial sources, and other sources, to generate methodologically sound and internationally comparable estimates on gender and the environment to populate UN Women’s Gender and Environment Dashboard. In addition, the consultant is expected to liaise with the Global Data Hub team in UN Women Headquarters and the web development vendor to ensure that all estimates are uploaded, visualized and quality assured in a timely, accurate and efficient manner. 

In connection to the above, the consultant (who will report to the Regional Gender Statistics Specialist) is expected to deliver the following outputs:

 

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work:

Ultimate result of service

The consultant is expected to generate estimates on gender and the environment for all countries where data is available, in line with internationally agreed standards and definitions, and ensure they are accurate, timely and comparable. Furthermore, the consultant is expected to ensure the estimates are available on a dedicated space on the UN Women data hub in a timely and efficient manner and that all analytical notebooks are fully reproducible, clearly documented, and aligned with best practices in data transparency and reproducibility. 

Activity 1: Analyze gender and environment surveys to generate comparable and accurate estimates

1.1 Conduct microdata analysis from gender and environment surveys, to generate data for the 100 Indicators on Gender and the Environment for as many countries as data is available. The estimates must be calculated per the guidance provided by the Gender Statistics Team, and in line with metadata, syntax and formulas provided.

1.2 Ensure the estimates are accurate by conducting quality checks and comparing with available estimates for the same surveys from national survey reports and other sources.

1.3 Create reproducible R (markdown or quarto) notebooks with simple graphs and data tables to showcase the findings from different countries, in line with specifications from the Gender Statistics Team and the Women Count Communications lead.

1.4 Make any adjustments to the estimates based on feedback from the Women Count team.

1.5 Keep a log note of the analysis performed, the methodology followed and the steps taken.

1.6 Package the codes into a git repository together with documentation (Readme file).

 

Activity 2: Analyze other forms of microdata and big data to generate comparable and accurate estimates on gender and the environment

1.7 Utilize DHS and MICS surveys, and integrate the data with geospatial data or other big data sources, to generate indicators on gender and the environment for as many countries as data is available, per the guidance of the Gender Statistics Team.

1.8 Ensure the estimates are accurate by conducting quality checks and comparing with available estimates for the same surveys from national survey reports and other sources.

1.9 Create simple graphs and data tables to showcase the findings from different countries, in line with specifications from the Gender Statistics Team and the Women Count Communications lead.

1.10 Make any adjustments to the estimates based on feedback from the Women Count team.

1.11 Keep a log note of the analysis performed, the methodology followed and the steps taken.

 

Activity 3: Ensure all estimates are uploaded in an accurate and timely manner, and all functionality of the dashboard is in place.

3.1 Utilizing the estimates, graphs and tables generated under Activities 1 and 2, liaise regularly with the Women Count Communication Specialist and Database Analyst to align on the formatting and needs necessary for the dashboard uploads. 

3.2 Work closely with the Database Analyst to liaise with web development vendor to come up with a timeline and plan for finalization of the dashboard (in consultation with the Women Count team).

3.3 Liaise regularly with the web development vendor to guide them on the uploads of all estimates in a timely and accurate manner.

3.4 Conduct manual and automated quality checks (through reproducible R notebooks) of all the uploaded data files, graphs and tables to ensure they are error-free.

3.5 Test all the dashboard functionalities, for all indicators and countries, to ensure all the information is accurate and the dashboard works properly. 

3.6 Coordinate UAT and other testing and troubleshooting of the dashboard, compiling feedback, flagging issues and troubleshooting, and ensure the feedback is addressed.

 

It is important to note that the Consultant will be expected to do some of these activities simultaneously and not always sequentially. For instance, after finalizing the first set of estimates, the consultant is expected to start working with the developers to conduct the uploads. At the same time, the consultant is expected to begin working on the second set of estimates, and so on.

 

No.                                          Deliverables Expected completion time (due day)  1

• Preliminary estimates (in an Excel table or .csv) for 100 Indicators on Gender and the Environment for as many countries as data is available. 
• Reproducible Stata/R notebooks containing statistical calculations of the estimates.
• Preliminary graphs and tables for the 100 Indicators on gender and the environment (in the format agreed with the Women Count team)
• Footnotes and other notes, as needed, for any of the estimates that require them.

30 August 2025 2

• Revised estimates and graphs after conducting accuracy checks and comparing with available estimates for the same surveys from national survey reports and other sources.
• Revised estimates and graphs based on feedback from the Women Count team.
• Log note (Word document) of the analysis performed, the methodology followed and the steps taken.

30 September 3

• Merged datasets for DHS/MICS and geospatial data, with relevant information regarding specific sources. 
• Preliminary estimates from analysis utilizing DHS, MICS, GIS data and other big data, for as many countries as data is available. 
• Reproducible Stata and R notebooks utilized for the calculation of the estimates.
• Preliminary graphs and data tables, in the format agreed with the Women Count team, showcasing the findings from this analysis.
• Footnotes and other notes, as needed, for any of the estimates that require them produced in an automated manner.

30 October 4

• Revised estimates and graphs after conducting accuracy checks and comparing with available estimates in other reports.
• Revised estimates and graphs based on feedback from the Women Count team.
• Log note (Word document) of the analysis performed, the methodology followed and the steps taken.

15 November 5

• Regular meetings attended with the Women Count Communication Specialist and Database Analyst to align on the formatting and needs necessary for the dashboard uploads for the estimates from GES surveys. 
• Word or Excel document with timeline and plan for finalization of the dashboard (prepared in consultation with the Women Count team).
• Regular meetings organized and attended with the dashboard developers to guide them on the uploads of all estimates from GES surveys in a timely and accurate manner.
• Error-free GES estimates are comprehensively reflected in the dashboard.
• Dashboard functionalities work seamlessly for all GES indicators and countries, and if not liaison is had with developers until issues are addressed. 
• Regular meetings with the Women Count team attended to provide updates on uploads of GES estimates and related dashboard functionality.
• Written updates (via email) sent to the Women Count team highlighting work progress on the GES indicator uploads, issues and gathering feedback. 
• Log note of the work process, issues encountered, and timelines.

30 October  6

• Regular meetings attended with the Women Count Communication lead to align on the formatting and needs necessary for the dashboard uploads of estimates from other surveys and big data. 
• Regular meetings organized and attended with the dashboard developers to guide them on the uploads of all estimates from other surveys and big data, in a timely and accurate manner.
• Error-free estimates from other surveys and big data are comprehensively reflected in the dashboard.
• Dashboard functionalities work seamlessly for all indicators from other surveys and big data and for all countries, and if not liaison is had with developers until issues are addressed. 
• Regular meetings with the Women Count team attended to provide updates on the progress of the work on indicators from other surveys and big data.
• Written updates (via email) sent to the Women Count team highlighting work progress on indicators from other surveys and big data, issues encountered and gathering feedback. 
• Log note of the work process, issues encountered, and timelines.

30 November

 

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel:

This is a home-based consultancy. As part of the official duty of this consultancy, the consultant may be expected to travel, which will be processed by UN Women, following the duty travel policy.

 

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

• Data Management and Analysis 
• Research and Analytical Skills
• Accuracy and Quality Assurance

 

Required Qualifications:

Education and Certification:

• Master’s Degree in statistics, mathematics, economics, social sciences, demography, development studies or related fields.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum 2 years of work experience conducting advanced analysis of microdata from individual level surveys, and integrating big data sources, including geospatial data, in line with international statistical standards, is required.
• Expert level proficiency in Stata and R, including statistical analysis and microdata processing. Working knowledge of Python is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience creating high-quality graphs, statistical tables and other statistical outputs such as footnotes, metadata and technical documentation.
• Strong expertise in developing reproducible research outputs (using R Markdown and/or Quarto) and with experience in workflow automation techniques.
• Good understanding of geospatial data, formats and libraries (e.g. sf, leaflet) and practical experience in geomatching and spatial analysis.
• Basic knowledge of Git and platforms and Github/Gitlab is an asset.
• Knowledge on gender, environment and related social and economic issues is highly valuable.
• Experience working with a United Nations Agency on data analysis and statistical reporting is highly desirable.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.

How to Apply:

• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page)
• 1 or 2 samples of materials (e.g. reports, communication materials, etc) led by the applicant, showcasing data points generated by the applicant, including graphs, syntax and data tables, may be requested from shortlisted candidates for further assessment.

 

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

 

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.