Consultant on Data Integration Project (International IT Consultant)
Strengthen capacity for data integration in Nepal for SDG indicators
Overview
Strengthen capacity for data integration in Nepal for SDG indicators
You have:
- An advanced degree from a recognized university in computer science, statistics or related fields
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in official statistics
- Practical experience in using and integrating administrative data sources for official statistics
- Practical experience in record linkage and statistical matching for official statistics
- Fluency in English, including writing
- Excellent research, analysis, IT and computer programming skills
- Extensive knowledge of statistical, matching and record linkage software packages, such as Stata, R, Python, or any other record linkage tools
Result of Service This pilot project in Nepal intends to strengthen the capacity to implement data integration approaches, with a focus on the integration of administrative data with census and/or survey data, for producing and improving data for SDG indicators, whether by increasing data availability, quality, frequency or timeliness. The outcomes of the project will be assessed and shared regionally to determine whether the pilot was successful and how it might be implemented in other countries.
This project will contribute to advancing the Collective Vision2¿regarding Action area C: Integrated statistics for integrated analysis.
Work Location Home based
Expected duration 20 Nov 22-15 Mar 23
Duties and Responsibilities National statistical systems are exploring new approaches to strengthen the production of official statistics in order to keep up with urgent and evolving statistical demands to measure the progress of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and, more recently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data integration approaches stand out as having the potential to bridge data gaps by pulling together data from diverse sources. However, challenges need to be overcome to realise their potential.¿
Data integration approaches require a range of technical and institutional capacities, ranging from appropriate coordination and collaboration mechanisms among stakeholders to the core technical skills needed to address data issues and record linkage. A regional Data Integration Capacity Assessment Survey conducted in 2020 revealed the need for capacity building across multiple aspects of data integration. To foster learning from each other and sharing knowledge and experience, the ESCAP secretariat established the Data Integration Community of Practice (DI-CoP). Additionally, in 2021, ESCAP published¿Asia-Pacific Guidelines to Data Integration for Official Statistics,1 which provides practical advice to advance data integration activities.
In implementing data integration approaches, each country faces context-specific challenges which require tailored solutions. To support country efforts in this area, Nepal was selected as a pilot country based on the results of the Data Integration Capacity Assessment Survey, the availability of relevant data sources, and the country's willingness to participate in this pilot project. The ESCAP secretariat is currently seeking an international IT consultant to work with the pilot project in Nepal. The pilot project aims to strengthen the capacity to implement data integration approaches, with a focus on the integration of administrative data with census and/or survey data, for producing and improving data for measuring Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators, whether to increase data availability, quality, frequency or timeliness. The international IT consultant will work closely with an international advisor, who will supervise the project, and a national consultant, who will coordinate the project in Nepal in collaboration with the Central Bureau of Statistics and other stakeholders.
Activities will include a) designing and developing IT tools required for the data integration project, b) developing user manuals/guidelines/instructions required for using IT tools, c) supporting and contributing to the organization of a hands-on training and a concluding workshop, d) contributing to the development of the pilot report, e) contributing to sharing of pilot findings at the regional level.¿
a. Develop a work plan for the development of required tools, by 1 December 2022. b. Under the supervision and with guidance from the international advisor, develop IT tools required for the data integration project by 15 January 2023 c. Develop user manuals/guidelines/instructions for the IT tools by 20 January 2023. d. Contribute to hands-on training to facilitate the implementation of the toolbox, by 10 February 2023. This includes: a. Contribute to the development of a concept note for the hands-on training, including providing a list of IT requirements for the training b. Prepare training materials c. Make a demo of the developed IT tools and co-facilitate the training
e. Contribute to the organization of a concluding workshop to share the findings of the project with stakeholders by¿mid-February 2023. f. Contribute to the organization of a Stats Café session3 to share the findings of the pilot at the regional level by 27 February 2023. g. Contribute to the development of the pilot report by drafting the sections related to IT tools, by¿10 March 2023.
Qualifications/special skills Education:
- An advanced degree from a recognized university in computer science, statistics or related fields
Skills:
- Excellent research, analysis, IT and computer programming skills - Extensive knowledge of statistical, matching and record linkage software packages, such as Stata, R, Python, or any other record linkage tools.
Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in official statistics - Practical experience in using and integrating administrative data sources for official statistics - Practical experience in record linkage and statistical matching for official statistics - Experience with international statistical development projects is an advantage.
Languages Fluency in English, including writing
No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
Potential interview questions
| Can you provide an example of how you successfully integrated data from multiple sources? | The interviewer wants to assess your practical experience in data integration. | Share a specific project where you effectively combined data from different sources to achieve a specific outcome. |
| Describe a challenge you faced while working with administrative data and how you overcame it. | This question seeks to understand your problem-solving skills and your resilience in the face of challenges. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What statistical software are you proficient in, and how have you used it in past projects? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you ensure the quality and accuracy of the data you work with? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What is your approach to collaborating with local stakeholders in a project like this? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |