Post Number : 5LBUIS0002PA
Grade : P-3
Parent Sector : UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Duty Station: Beirut
Job Family: Education
Type of contract : Project Appointment
Duration of contract : 2 years
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 21-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
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), established in 1999, is UNESCO’s statistical agency for 193 member states and 12 associated members. UIS provides internationally comparable data in education, science, culture, and communication and information. Its work is guided by three pillars: Standards and Methodologies, Data Production, and Brokering and Outreach.
UIS’ 2022–2029 Medium-Term Strategy aims to ensure policymaking is based on reliable statistics, helping countries track progress toward national and global goals and learn from global experience. UIS supports key initiatives, including the UN Transforming Education Summit, the Global Education Cooperation Mechanism (GCM), G7, G20, and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). It collaborates with partners such as UNICEF, World Bank, OECD, and GEMR on emerging priorities, including national education responses to COVID-19. UIS and GEMR have established an SDG 4 benchmarking process and help countries set and monitor targets for 2025 and 2030.
Purpose
Under the direct supervision of the UIS Director and administrative oversight of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut, the incumbent will:
Strengthen coverage and quality of core UIS indicators in the Arab States. Support national capacity development. Enhance SDG monitoring. Promote UIS’ visibility and partnerships.Main Responsibilities and Tasks
1. Strengthen Data Collection and Validation
Develop and implement a work plan to improve coverage and quality of core UIS indicators. Monitor country response rates and data quality, coordinating actions to improve performance. Facilitate country validation of data, ensuring effective feedback between HQ and country teams. Support regional programmes monitoring SDGs and the Education 2030 Agenda, promoting data-driven policymaking. Implement UIS programmes in education, literacy, learning outcomes assessment, science, technology & innovation, culture, and communication & information.
2. Enhance National Capacity Development
Collaborate with UNESCO Regional Bureau in the Arab States to:
Develop regional medium-term plans prioritizing SDG reporting and monitoring. Map key stakeholders and expand UIS partnerships for data collection and quality. Implement a regional resource mobilization plan to support capacity development. Assist Member States in strengthening legislative, institutional, financial, technical, and human resources for sustainable data systems. Support national and regional studies and policy briefs on SDG 4, SDG 9.5, and SDG 11.4.1.3. Deliver Technical Support and Coordinate with UIS HQ
Organize and lead training sessions and workshops to strengthen national capacity in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Maintain close coordination with UIS HQ teams to ensure joint planning, timely feedback, and consistent implementation of activities.
4. Contribute to UIS Core Work
Contribute to UIS reporting, including preparing technical documents and inputs for UIS and UNESCO governing bodies, donors, and development partners.
Support statistical and methodological development by piloting tools and standards across sectors and providing feedback from field implementation.
5. Partnerships and Visibility
Promote UIS visibility and strengthen partner awareness of UIS data, standards, tools, and analytics.
Represent UIS in regional forums and technical working groups.
Coordinate with the Regional Bureau for Education, UNESCO national and cluster offices, and the Regional Bureau of Science and Culture (for specific projects) to ensure effective implementation of UIS activities in the region.
Perform other duties as required to support UIS’ mandate and the successful delivery of its work.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in statistics, economics, demography, education, or social sciences with a strong applied statistics/data science component, or equivalent professional experience.
Work Experience
Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience as a statistician working with administrative, finance, survey, or assessment data in one or more UIS sectors, including at least two years at regional or international level strengthening education data capacity. Experience in developing-country contexts, especially with National Statistical Offices or ministry planning units. Proven record in developing partnerships and mobilizing resources for data initiatives.Skills and Competencies
Expertise in measurement frameworks, standards, and tools related to UIS core indicators. Ability to apply innovative approaches and emerging technologies across UIS sectors. Proficiency in coding (e.g., Python, R), data visualization (e.g., Power BI, Tableau), and database management (SQL). Strong skills in office and statistical software (Excel, Word, SPSS, Stata, SAS). Ability to advise national statisticians on data collection, analysis, and reporting. Capacity to develop, analyze, and monitor project proposals. Knowledge of the Arab region.
Languages
Excellent knowledge of English or French and working knowledge of the other. Working knowledge of Arabic.Education
Advanced university degree (PhD degree or equivalent) in statistics, economics, demography, mathematics, education, social sciences or related areas. Special training in applied statistics / data science is highly desirable