Special NoticeStaff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
ESCAP is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality within the Secretariat. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Org. Setting and ReportingThe mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote regional cooperation for inclusive economic and social development in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP's role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership, through its analytical, normative and technical cooperation, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.
This position is located in the Statistical Data Management Unit (SDMU) of the Statistics Division. The incumbent heads the Statistical Data Management Unit and reports to the Director of the Division.
ResponsibilitiesUnder the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Chief, Statistics Division, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
• Initiates and co-ordinates the development of appropriate methods for obtaining, analysing and utilizing relevant data for assessing regional progress in achieving development goals and targets, including the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs).
• Ensures the quality of data and statistics utilized in official ESCAP publications, analytical reports, policy briefs, etc., including SDG regional progress reports, for accuracy, consistency and comparability.
• Plans and conducts analytical programmes of work in relevant areas of statistics, including SDG-related statistics. This may include: analyzing gaps in availability and quality of data and statistics, identifying projects, conducting disparity analysis, and providing technical advisory inputs for national capacity building.
• Supervises and contributes to the development of relevant databases, web publishing tools and other software for collection, storage and distribution of statistical data.
• Plans and supervises the integration of SDGs-related data in the ESCAP regional statistical database on socioeconomic and environmental indicators, the Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific and the Asia-Pacific Sustainable Development Journal.
• Undertakes methodological research with regard to measurement frameworks, standards on concepts, definitions and classifications to assist countries and other constituents in strengthening the compilation, dissemination and analysis of data and statistics for SDG implementation.
• Develops new or improved statistical methods and quantitative models for analyses, progress tracking and projections.
• Plans and participates in the implementation of statistical capacity development initiatives, including engaging with statistics development partners through existing mechanisms (partners, RCM, networks) to assist member countries in strengthening their capacity to compile and analyze development indicators.
• Provides guidance and advice to other Divisions in applying methods, models and analytical and measurement frameworks for policy use.
• Designs, plans and co-ordinates seminars, training/workshops, expert meetings, etc. and contributes to the substantive servicing of intergovernmental processes such as the Committee on Statistics.
• Plans, organizes, manages and supervises the work of the SDMU.
• Performs other related duties as required.
CompetenciesCore competencies
• Professionalism: Knowledge of data sources for official statistics and statistical programmes to analyze and evaluate complex data. Ability to formulate new strategies and technical approaches with respect to statistical development. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
Managerial competencies
• Managing Performance: Delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision making authority; makinesg sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourage risk-taking and supports creativity and initiatives; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.
EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, mathematics, economics, sociology or related field. PhD degree in one of these areas is highly desirable. A first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work ExperienceA minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination of statistical data or related area with demonstrated expert experience in one or more domains of social, economic or environmental statistics is required. Demonstrated expert experience in use of statistical/econometric analysis software in analysing microdata is required. Experience in assessing quality of data and statistical series used to generate development indicators is required.
Proven experiences in conducting high-quality modelling, analytical and methodological studies on social, economic and environmental development, as illustrated by authored and co-authored journal articles, book chapters and monographs, are desirable.
LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
AssessmentQualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.
United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The screening and evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: no amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.
